VANDERGRIFF BEGINS FROM LUCKY No. 13 AT TOPEKA
2006 NHRA POWERade DRAG RACING SERIES Round 9 of 23 O'REILLY NHRA SUMMER NATIONALS Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.) Race Date: May 26-28, 2006 VANDERGRIFF BEGINS FROM LUCKY No. 13 AT TOPEKA TOPEKA, Kan. (May 27, 2006)- Bob Vandergriff Jr. is enjoying the heat of summer. With temperatures in the mid-90's, it's apparent that summer is here for the O'Rielly NHRA Summernationals at Heartland Park Topeka. Vandergriff drove his Jim Dupuy-tuned UPS Top Fuel dragster to a very consistent showing during qualifying for the second week in a row. Vandergriff posted runs of 4.828, 4.723, 4.832, and 4.730 on his last run on a blistering 130 degree track. Last weekend's consistency garnered Vandergriff his first Full Throttle Award. "Jim Dupuy and the crew seem to have a handle on the race car," Vandergriff said. "We are happy about getting down the track on all four qualifying passes. I hope that we get to take the UPS car for four more passes on Sunday." Vandergriff draws Tony Schumacher in the first round of Sunday's elimination's. # # # WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Friday, May 26, Professional Qualifying Sessions are at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 27, Professional Qualifying Sessions are at noon and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 28, Final Elimination's begin at 11 a.m. TELEVISION: Saturday, May 27, ESPN and ESPN2 HD will televise one hour of qualifying highlights at 8 p.m. (ET). Sunday, May 28, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise NHRA 2Day, a 30-minute magazine show at 11:30 a.m. (ET). Sunday, May 28, ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD will televise three hours of elimination's at 10 p.m. (ET). SATELLITE: Friday, May 26, 10:30-11 p.m. (ET) Ĺ] SBS 6 / Transponder 17K (12117 MHz, horizontal) Saturday, May 27, 9:30-10 p.m. (ET) Ĺ] SBS 6 / Transponder 17K (12117 MHz, horizontal) Sunday, May 28, 8:30-9 p.m. (ET) Ĺ] SBS 6 / Transponder 17K (12117 MHz, horizontal) Feeds include action with natural sound of Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock, plus interviews with winners on Sunday.