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SCCA: Strickler Scores First Pole in SRFPS Finale

17 October 1998

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (October 17) - John Strickler scored his first career Spec Racer Ford Pro Series pole for Sunday's 22-lap, 48.62-mile Spec Racer Ford Pro Series season finale with a fast lap time of 1:42.227 (77.827 mph) at the 2.21-mile, 14-turn road course at the Miami-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex.

Strickler, of Kansas City, Kan., fell to sixth-fastest in the session before finding the right combination with five minutes remaining to take the pole away from Flordia-based drivers Dave Donovan (Ft. Lauderdale) and Jim Gaughary (Jupiter), who will start second and third, respectively.

"Sometimes you can go faster on an unfamiliar circuit by running a clear lap by yourself, so I found some clear track just went for it," said Strickler. "Jim Goughary is also perfectly capable of winning the race, and you can never snooze with Warren (Stilwell) behind you. He will take advantage of any mistake. I know that I need to be aggressive tomorrow, but not take unnecessary risks at the same time."

Strickler carries a three-point lead into the finale after a season-long battle with three-time and defending Drivers' Champion Warren Stilwell (96 to 93). Stilwell finished fourth in the final qualifying session.

"Qualifying was good, but we need to find some more speed by race time to beat John (Strickler)," said Stilwell. "I have to find a way to get in front of him somehow. During a race, you have a better view of where particular drivers are fast and slow. The key is to be there at the end to make the move."