IHRA: Charlie Hunt Team Falls One Round Short of Finals at Rockingham
30 September 1999
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ROCKINGHAM, NC.-- Points leader Floyd Cheek fell in the first round of competition, but his teammate Tom Lee carried the banner proudly for the two-car Universal Brake Parts-sponsored, Charlie Hunt Pro Stock team into the semi-final round of eliminations of the CARQUEST Autumn Nationals at Rockingham. The pain of Cheek's first round loss was further compounded when points leader Chris Holbrook went on to win the event.
Hunt's two car team was in the thick of qualifying with the first day of qualifying. Cheek was the quickest of the two with a 6.738/205.43, good enough for the second spot. Lee was the 5th quickest with a 6.750/207.90. During the second session, Cheek hammered out a 6.751 and Lee stepped up tremendously with a 6.705, good enough to take the second spot. Cheek dropped to 7th.
Lee was the quicker of the two as he posted his finest lap of the weekend with a 6.703/207.80. Cheek fell off of his earlier pace with a 6.755. Cheek improved his status with a 6.721/207.08, good enough for the ninth spot. Lee failed to improve and ended up as the 5th quickest. In eliminations, Lee had to face Bevins. Cheek was matched up against Bob Holzer.
After Cheek's upset loss to Holzer, Lee blitzed Jeremy Bevins. He then went into the quarters where he blistered John Konigshofer. Hoping to score a win for Team Hunt, Lee jumped the gun in the semis against Holbrook.
The Universal Brake Parts sponsored team plans to continue their championship conquest at the IHRA EXPRESS Auto Parts.Com Nationals in Budds Creek, Md., during the weekend of Oct. 1-3. The duo of Floyd Cheek, and Tom Lee along with the other Pro Stock contestants will afforded four qualifying attempts during the course of the event and the quickest sixteen entries will compete in final eliminations on Sunday.
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