Tony Pedregon Steps Up to Fifth Qualifying Position
Quaker State Racing Nitro Funny Car Pedregon Racing NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series 40th Anniversary Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals Pomona Raceway Final Qualifying Notes & Quotes Tony Pedregon Makes Last Qualifier Count Quaker State Racing Jumps Into Fifth Position POMONA, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2004) Tony Pedregon saved the best for last when he powered his Quaker State Racing Nitro Funny Car to the fifth qualifying slot for tomorrowıs Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway. Pedregon, who is from nearby Chino Hills, Calif., ran a 4.734-second elapsed time at 316.01 mph during todayıs fourth and final session. It was also the last qualifier of the 2004 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season. ³We had a game plan going into today,² said Pedregon, the 2003 Funny Car champ. ³We can run the car a little better when a little temperature comes into the track, but we were shooting for that top spot as well. We know what this car can do. ³One of our goals is to get into the top seven in points,² Pedregon continued. ³I my know (brother) Cruz (Pedregon) is also going for that position as well. We just want a good, solid race. Weıre an efficient team and a much better team than when we came here the first time. That run reflects what weıre capable of doing.² Pedregon will line up against Ron Capps in the first round of eliminations. Quaker State Racing Notebook: ONE MORE: Quaker State Racingıs Tony Pedregon is hoping his last day of competition in 2004 is a quality one. Pedregon talked about his strategy heading into tomorrowıs finale. ³If we think the track can take a 4.70, thatıs what weıre going to do,² Pedregon said. ³We need to be smart and pull back the car when necessary. Itıs something thatıs been a focus for us the last half of the season. The challenge is there, but we want to finish with a bang and Iıd really like to win here.² PedregonRacing.com