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NHRA: Bernstein, Toliver lead Friday Qualifying at Moto1.net Nationals

29 April 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
DINWIDDIE, Va. - Kenny Bernstein was quickest in opening Top Fuel qualifying Friday at the Moto1.net NHRA Nationals presented by Chevrolet. Persistent rain showers forced NHRA officials to cancel the second qualifying session. Jerry Toliver, Kurt Johnson and Bob Panella also were among the leaders in their respective categories at the $1.8 million race, the sixth of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Bernstein, 55, covered the Virginia Motorsports Park quarter-mile in 4.593 seconds at 312.93 mph in his Budweiser King dragster to pace the Top Fuel order.

"If it's overcast and gray tomorrow I think the 4.59 is in jeopardy," Bernstein said. "It was good enough to take the pressure off of us knowing we're in the field comfortably. It was unfortunate that we didn't get to run tonight. I know we were going to take a shot at the track and I'm sure some of the other guys would have too. You can't do much when it's wet and cold."

Toliver was the Funny Car leader, posting a 4.920 at 303.91 in his WWF Racing Pontiac Firebird.

"The purpose of switching to the new Firebird body was to make more downforce," said Toliver, who has won two events this season in a Chevy Camaro. "This car is definitely better than anything we had before and I think it helped us out here today. I think we've got a lot left in the car for tomorrow."

Johnson paced the 16-car Pro Stock order, running 6.876 at 199.49 in his AC Delco Camaro.

Panella drove his Chevy S-10 to the front in Pro Stock Truck, covering the distance in a track record elapsed time 7.498 with a speed of 178.45.

Qualifying continues Saturday with sessions at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

DINWIDDIE, Va. - Friday's qualifying for the 6th annual Moto1.net Nationals presented by Chevrolet at Virginia Motorsports Park, the sixth of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

Top Fuel -- 1. Kenny Bernstein, Lake Forest, Calif., 4.593 seconds, 312.93 mph; 2. Tony Schumacher, Park Ridge, Ill., 4.664, 306.95; 3. Larry Dixon, Indianapolis, 4.672, 307.30; 4. Doug Kalitta, Ypsilanti, Mich., 4.686, 307.23; 5. Cory McClenathan, Anaheim, Calif., 4.688, 281.13; 6. Don Lampus, Garland, Texas, 4.695, 313.29; 7. Joe Amato, Exeter, Pa., 4.915, 214.01; 8. Gary Scelzi, Fresno, Calif., 8.281, 93.48; 9. Steve Smith, Princeton, N.C., 8.791, 89.90; 10. Bob Vandergriff, Cumming, Ga., 10.083, 80.67; 11. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., 10.328, 87.23; 12. Jim Bailey, Mantua, Ohio, 10.360, 73.77; 13. David Grubnic, Ennis, Mont., 11.256, 67.99; 14. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, Williamston, S.C., 17.229, 65.49.

Funny Car -- 1. Jerry Toliver, Huntington Beach, Calif., Pontiac Firebird, 4.920, 303.91; 2. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Chevy Camaro, 4.954, 304.80; 3. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Ford Mustang, 4.955, 305.29; 4. Scott Weis, Ashland, Va., Chevy Corvette, 5.030, 285.35; 5. Frank Pedregon, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., Firebird, 5.089, 267.85; 6. Dean Skuza, Brecksville, Ohio, Dodge Avenger, 5.108, 302.82; 7. Ron Capps, Carlsbad, Calif., Camaro, 5.133, 279.61; 8. Jim Epler, Phoenix, Camaro, 5.504, 183.19; 9. Al Hofmann, Umatilla, Fla., Firebird, 9.316, 86.17; 10. Cristen Powell, Portland, Ore., Firebird, 10.111, 68.89; 11. Tony Pedregon, Chino Hills, Calif., Mustang, 10.502, 89.23; 12. Todd Paton, Paris, Ont., Firebird, 10.800, 82.15; 13. Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., Camaro, 10.805, 78.24; 14. Bob Gilbertson, Gastonia, N.C., Firebird, 11.263, 90.00; 15. Del Worsham, Laguna Hills, Calif., Firebird, 11.291, 74.77; 16. Bruce Sarver, Bakersfield, Calif., Firebird, 13.891, 51.64.

Pro Stock -- 1. Kurt Johnson, Lawrenceville, Ga., Chevy Camaro, 6.876, 199.49; 2. Mike Thomas, Knoxville, Tenn., Pontiac Firebird, 6.891, 198.15; 3. Warren Johnson, Buford, Ga., Firebird, 6.896, 199.70; 4. Bruce Allen, Arlington, Texas, Firebird, 6.902, 199.11; 5. Troy Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 6.906, 198.47; 6. Mark Osborne, Abingdon, Va., Pont Firebird, 6.910, 198.32; 7. Jeg Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, Cutlass, 6.913, 199.17; 8. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., Camaro, 6.915, 198.47; 9. Darrell Alderman, Morehead, Ky., Dodge Avenger, 6.916, 198.50; 10. Robert Patrick, Fredricksburg, Va., Ford Mustang, 6.922, 198.82; 11. Mark Pawuk, Akron, Ohio, Firebird, 6.923, 198.17; 12. Roger Jenkins, Tipp City, Ohio, Cutlass, 6.941, 197.94; 13. George Marnell, Las Vegas, Firebird, 6.951, 197.45; 14. Tony Gillig, Lake Zurich, Ill., Cutlass, 6.957, 197.97; 15. Ron Krisher, Warren, Ohio, Firebird, 6.960, 198.29; 16. Brad Jeter, Greenville, S.C., Firebird, 6.963, 197.71.

Pro Stock Truck -- 1. Bob Panella Jr, Stockton, Calif., Chevy S-10, 7.498, 178.45; 2. Randy Daniels, Grantsboro, N.C., S-10, 7.501, 179.90; 3. Greg Stanfield, Bossier City, La., S-10, 7.522, 178.28; 4. Steve Johns, Lancaster, Pa., S-10, 7.523, 178.90; 5. Brian Self, Houston, S-10, 7.534, 178.78; 6. Jeff Gracia, Ontario, Calif., S-10, 7.534, 178.42; 7. Tim Freeman, Roan Mountain, Tenn., S-10, 7.534, 178.12; 8. John Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, S-10, 7.536, 179.16; 9. Scott Tidwell, Pinson, Ala., S-10, 7.538, 178.50; 10. Scott Perin, Pen Argyl, Pa., S-10, 7.546, 177.49; 11. Rick Jones, Galesburg, Ill., GMC Sonoma, 7.548, 177.88; 12. Larry Seay, Mayfield, Ky., S-10, 7.551, 177.63; 13. John Lingenfelter, Decatur, Ind., Sonoma, 7.565, 177.84; 14. Mike Coughlin, Columbus, Ohio, S-10, 7.568, 178.59; 15. David Spitzer, Indianapolis, Sonoma, 7.574, 177.32; 16. Bart Price, Hayward, Calif., S-10, 7.587, 177.28.

Text provided by Anthony Vestal

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