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NHRA: Scelzi, Force, Johnson, Seeling and Daniels Win Advance Auto Parts Southern Nationals

17 May 1999

COMMERCE, Ga. -- Defending NHRA Winston Top Fuel champion Gary Scelzi earned his second victory of the season Sunday at the 19th annual Advance Auto Parts Southern Nationals.

Scelzi, from Fresno, Calif., drove his Team Winston dragster to his 13th career victory when final round opponent Doug Kalitta redlighted.

John Force, Warren Johnson, Angelle Seeling, and Randy Daniels were also winners in their respective pro categories at the $1.6 million race, the seventh of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Force, from Yorba Linda, Calif., scored his fifth Funny Car victory of the season, defeating Whit Bazemore in a photo-finish. Force covered the distance in 5.147 at 283.61 in a Ford Mustang, while Bazemore's Chevrolet Camaro was a tick slower at 5.182 at 280.84.

Johnson, from nearby Buford, Ga., earned his third Pro Stock victory of the season in a Pontiac Firebird when Richie Stevens fouled at the start. Seeling, from New Orleans, took the Pro Stock Motorcycle victory when Matt Hines redlighted.

Daniels, from Grantsboro, N.C., earned his second Pro Stock Truck victory of the season, defeating points leader Mark Osborne in a battle of Chevrolet S-10s. Daniels ran 7.641 at 176.53, while Osborne lost traction at mid-track and slowed to an 11.073 at 81.17.

The next NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series event is the Mopar Parts Nationals, May 20-23, at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

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