IHRA Harold Martin Saturday Update: Martin Starts Strong, Qualifies Fourth at "The Rock"

Team ACDelco

IHRA Qualifying Wrap Sheet

Harold Martin, Owner/Driver

ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Grand Am


 

Event:  35th Annual Spring Nationals.

Location:  Rockingham Dragway

       Rockingham, NC

Dates:  April 23, 2005

 

Martin Starts Strong, Qualifies Fourth at "The Rock"

 

After high winds and rain washed out Friday's first qualifying session
at the IHRA Spring Nationals, Harold Martin knew he would need to make
the most of his two remaining opportunities in order to guarantee his
participation in Sunday's final eliminations.  

 

Responding to the challenge, Martin posted the quickest pass of the
session on his first attempt on Saturday, powering his ACDelco Pontiac
Pro Mod through the quarter-mile in 6.220 seconds with a top speed of
224.06 mph.  This remained his run of record when he battled tire shake
on his final qualifying run, slotting the "EFI Wizard" in the fourth
starting position for race day.

 

"We're pleased with both runs," said Martin.  "The 6.22 was a nice
conservative run that we thought had three or four hundredths left in
it.  Then tonight, we wanted to get some data on this ACDelco Pontiac in
the colder temperatures, and we learned some things.

 

"It shook the tires, and wasn't violent enough that I couldn't have
driven through it, but knowing that we were solidly in, the risk factor
wasn't worth it.    Still, we were one of the quickest cars to sixty
feet.  Since we suspect the ambient temperatures tomorrow will be
similar, tonight's data will prove useful.  From that aspect, all is not
lost.  Even though we knew we had something special and the pole was in
sight, we'll take this new information and look to build on it
tomorrow."