The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

High School Senior Cops Top Fuel at NHRA MOPAR Nationals, Englishtown, NJ

20 May 1997

Cristen Powell, 18 year old high school senior from Portland, Ore beat out Bruce Sarver to take Top Fuel honors at the Englishtown, N.J. NHRA nationals. Powell ran a 4.849 et, 239.62 mph pass to Sarvers 154 mph run, as he broke at the lights.

Other pro winners were Kenji Okazaki, Funny Car, 5.863 and 181.30 mph. In Pro Stock it was Darrel Alderman at 6.988, 196.20 in a Dodge Avenger over Bruce Allen in a Firebird. Okazaki's win marked the first time a driver born outside the U.S. has won a NHRA pro category.

As for really fast times for the weekend, Joe Amato ran a qualifying pass at 319 mph in Top Fuel and Chuck Etchells in Funny Car had a run of 307 mph.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel