NHRA (ENGLISHTOWN) - DRIVERS QUALIFY AT NHRA SPORT COMPACT FALLNATIONALS
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The warm temperatures at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park did not keep down the drivers of the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact racing Series.
The top qualifiers at the NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals are Marty Ladwig (Pro FWD), Leslie Armendariz (Honda Tuning Magazine All Motor), Brent Rau (Modified), Kenny Tran (Hot Rod), and Brad Personett (Pro RWD).
In the ultra-close Pro FWD category, Ladwig secured himself the top position with a time of 7.19 seconds at 200.68 mph. This was only two-tenths of seconds off a potential record which would have been backed-up by his earlier run of 7.21 seconds. As it is he can still run a record time tomorrow during the eliminations. The points earned by setting a national time record may end up being the difference when the racers come to Pomona at the end of this month for the NHRA Sport Compact World Finals.
“We were definitely making it our goal to set the record,” said Ladwig. “I came up a little bit short, but we’re still really happy to run the 19 and get the No. 1 qualifier points. Every points counts. I am happy that the Lucas Oil Chevy Cobalt is running so strong. I want to thank K&N and Borla for coming on as new sponsors.”
Another driver who kept herself in the pursuit for a championship is Armendariz in her Horizon Motorsports Scion tC. Her run of 9.34 at 142.87 puts her on the No. 1 qualifiers podium for the third time this season. She needs to do very well this weekend in order to keep herself in the championship hunt. She came into the weekend 168 points behind leader and number three qualifier Norris Prayoonto. She is just short of setting a record. Her qualifying time is enough to back up a record time run between 9.33 and 9.25 seconds.
“It is really, really cool, but I am a little bummed because I wanted the points for the record,” said Armendariz. “I am happy about the No. 1 qualifier. We have all worked hard to stay focused. I want to than Gary from TWM Induction. Without his efforts this car wouldn’t do what it has. Also, ERL makes such rock solid blocks. We used the same engine from Moroso to Indy, and we only changed it out to get a few more ponies.”
Rau, drove his Mitsubishi to his sixth No. 1 qualifying position in the tough Modified category. His time of 7.30 at 188.89 propelled him the top position. He has the opportunity to move himself up tomorrow in the quest for his first Xplod Series world championship when he faces the person above him in the points, Ken Scheepers, in the first round. Rau also has the opportunity to gain some valuable points by establishing a record. The record is to reset after a rules change that added weight to the Modified category cars.
“They put another 100 pounds on me and I still went out and got the No. 1 qualifier,” said Rau. “This is six races I have been to and I have been the No. 1 qualifier at all of them. I guess I am keeping the streak alive. Facing Ken (Scheepers) in the first round will be the most important round tomorrow. I hope I can get past him and get solidly in second place.”
Tran kept his quest for a championship alive by putting his Q Scion tC in the No. 1 position with a time of 8.07 seconds at 169.91 mph. For awhile it seemed that Tran would face the driver first in points, Stephanie Eggum when she was the number six qualifier after two rounds, but there turned out to seven qualifiers in the category.
“The car seems to respond well to the new engine in there,” said Tran. “We really wanted Stephanie (Eggum) in the first round, but there are seven qualifiers. I hope to get the Q Scion tC in the 7’s tomorrow. If I can get the one to two shift clean than I should run the number. I want to thank Van for getting everything ready in time. We were pretty pressed for parts.”
Personett kept up the pace to his third consecutive championship by getting his sixth top qualifier of the season. He drove his Titan Motorsports Scion tC to a time of 6.74 seconds at 210.47 mph.
“We are trying to get things figured out on this little tire we are running,” said Personett. “Things aren’t quite working, but it was decent. We are making moves in the right direction.”
Eliminations will be held Sunday after opening ceremonies which begin at 12:30 p.m.
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ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Results Saturday after qualifying for the sixth annual NHRA Sport Compact Fallnationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, 10th of 11 events in the NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Drag Racing Series.
PRO RWD
1) Brad Personett, Orlando, Fla., '08 Scion, 6.746 seconds, 210.47 mph
2) Boris Rojas, Wilmington, Del., '04 Pickup, 7.526, 166.52
3) Pedro Santiago, Islip, N.Y., '02 Toyota, 7.572, 175.46
4) Carlos Torres, Bronx, N.Y., '90 Sentra, 9.168, 144.15
5) Manny Cruz, Bronx, N.Y., '02 Solara, 19.738, 49.44
PRO FWD
1) Marty Ladwig, San Antonio, Texas, '07 Cobalt, 7.197 seconds, 200.68 mph
2) Gary Gardella, Howell, N.J., '07 Cobalt, 7.227, 202.45
3) Jason Hunt, Crofton, Md., '07 Cobalt, 7.261, 201.94
4) Ed Bergenholtz, Tustin, Calif., '07 Mazda, 7.641, 188.10
5) Christian Rado, Reading, Pa., '07 tC, 7.700, 192.22
6) Bryan Jimenez, Houston, Texas, '07 Cobalt, 7.873, 177.39
MODIFIED
1) Brent Rau, St Francis, Minn., '99 Eclipse, 7.309 seconds, 188.89 mph
2) Heriberto Santiago, Haines City, Fla., '82 Starlet, 7.356, 181.40
3) Raul Reyes Bauzo, Bayamon, P.R., '81 Starlet, 7.431, 182.77
4) Paul Efantis, Frederick, Md., '04 Solara, 7.446, 187.00
5) Gabriel Garcia, Kissimmee, Fla., '94 RX7, 7.519, 182.82
6) Luis Corujo, Glendale, Md., '04 Celica, 7.552, 181.35
7) Rafael Fuent Miranda, Corozal, P.R., '82 Starlet, 7.606, 173.99
8) Ken Scheepers, Flower Mound, Texas, '05 RX8, 7.670, 176.24
9) Jose Gonzalez, Secciu, P.R., '72 Datsun, 7.680, 174.59
10) Dee Karagiannis, Glenwood, Md., '07 Mazda, 9.526, 99.28
HOT ROD
1) Kenny Tran, Garland, Texas, '06 tC, 8.073 seconds, 174.35 mph
2) James Farrer, Matawan, N.J., '06 Cobalt, 8.323, 169.32
3) Stephen Merman, North Wales, Pa., '93 Civic, 8.839, 160.33
4) Paul Bhawan, Brampton, Ont., '93 Civic, 9.155, 166.50
5) Jimmy Jones, Macom, Ga., '00 Civic, 9.516, 138.50
6) Tex Blackwell, Concord, N.C., '98 Civic, 11.351, 111.08
7) Stephanie Eggum, Elgin, Ill., '00 Civic, 15.922, 65.36
HONDA TUNING MAGAZINE ALL MOTOR
1) Leslie Durst-Armendariz, Long Beach, Calif., '06 tC, 9.340 seconds, 143.72 mph
2) Jeremy Lookofsky, Simi Valley, Calif., '06 Civic SI, 9.516, 140.59
3) Norris Prayoonoto, Springfield, Va., '04 Insight, 9.605, 139.59
4) Scott Kelley, Anaheim, Calif., '07 Corolla, 9.780, 139.34
5) Saul Salceda, Gardena, Calif., '00 Integra, 10.228, 127.07
6) Julie Stepan, Valencia, Calif., '06 Cobalt, 10.421, 126.22
SPORT RWD
1) Jason Greenawalt, Hunker, Pa., '93 Nissan, 9.345 seconds, 150.38 mph
2) Mark Mazurowski, Orlando, Fla., '05 240SX, 9.540, 145.70
3) Darin Dichiara, Orlando, Fla., '94 Toyota, 10.524, 121.09
4) Sandra Thomas, Aberdeen, Md., '93 Talon, 19.513, 68.63
URBANRACER.COM SPORT FWD
1) Felix Medina, Ridgefield, '92 Civic, 9.687 seconds, 155.36 mph
2) Jonathan Reynolds, Phoenix, Ariz., '01 Integra, 9.854, 147.09
3) Cortney Green, Taylorsville, Utah, '95 Civic, 9.858, 156.05
4) Fernando Reyes, Orlando, Fla., '92 Civic, 9.862, 154.39
5) Kevin Van Natten, Belford, N.J., '04 SRT-4, 9.968, 152.30
6) Garry Eng, Vernon, Conn., '92 Civic, 10.022, 154.74
7) Stefan Petrov, Hollywood, Fla., '00 Honda, 10.179, 144.67
8) Damian Borroto, Miami, Fla., '00 Civic, 10.211, 151.39
9) Kevin Maecha, North Bergen, N.J., 10.246, 146.19
10) Fernando Cunha, Linden, N.J., '96 Honda, 10.324, 141.22
BFGOODRICH TIRES STREET STOCK
1) Loan Nguyen, Burke, Va., '99 Civic, 12.106 seconds, 117.04 mph
2) Cristian Gomez, Orlando, Fla., '92 Civic, 12.120, 112.58
3) Tim Grey, Somerset, N.J., '94 Honda, 12.893, 112.92
4) Francisco Pietri, Virginia Beach, Va., '01 Acura, 12.957, 108.07
5) Not on File, 13.564, 100.00
6) Greg Samaroo, Fords, N.J., 15.190, 91.91
QUICK 16
1) Erik Milian, Davie, Fla., '90 Eagle, 7.401 seconds, 191.67 mph
2) Jose Leduc, Paterson, N.J., '75 RX3, 7.892, 175.80
3) Jason Lizardi, , , Rx3, 7.977, 167.41
4) Not on File, , , Honda, 8.499, 149.53
5) Jose Ramos, , , Unk, 8.513, 153.30
6) Elvin Caban, Lancaster, Pa., '85 Mazda, 8.545, 150.60
7) Augusto Torres, Perth Amboy, N.J., '90 Mazda, 8.571, 126.72
8) Jaime Colon, Philadelphia, Pa., '81 Starlet, 8.677, 150.95
9) Hector Suarez, Paterson, N.J., '82 Corolla, 8.911, 148.71
10) Johnny J Soto, Elizabeth, N.J., '80 Corolla, 9.166, 145.44