NHRA: Scelzi, Bazemore, Johnson, and Hines leaders after first day of qualifying
28 May 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ENNIS, Texas. - Gary Scelzi led all Top Fuel competitors Friday after the first day of qualifying at the 4th annual Castrol Nationals presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts at the Texas Motorplex.
Scelzi, from Fresno, Calif., blasted down the quarter-mile in 4.577 seconds at 322.81 mph in his Team Winston dragster to set the pace for the rest of the field. Scelzi's run was also the fastest ever since the new 90 percent nitro rule changes implemented by the NHRA at the beginning of the season. "It's a lot different than 310 (mph) or 312 when it runs over 320 from the drivers seat," said Scezi, a two-time winner this season. " I was really stoked about running that kind of speed, 90 percent, I love it."
Whit Bazemore, Kurt Johnson, and Matt Hines. were also the leaders of their respective categories at the $1.9 million race, the ninth of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
Bazemore, from Indianapolis, covered the distance in 4.887 at 310.84 in his Kendall Oil / Matco Tools Chevrolet Camaro to lead the Funny Car category. "These were good conditions tonight, probably the best we'll have here given the heat that we expect tomorrow," said Bazemore. "We still have two runs tomorrow but we'll take that tonight. The team has struggled all year, but to run an elapsed time like this now after all that we've been through is a tremendous effort on their part and I'm really happy for the guys on my team."
Defending series champion John Force ended up second in the order in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang after clocking a 4.935 at 312.06.
Johnson, from Lawrenceville, Ga., earned the top spot in Pro Stock when he powered his AC Delco Chevrolet Camaro down the track in 7.004 at 196.63.
Hines, from Trinidad, Colo., led all Pro Stock Motorcycles when he sped down the track on his Eagle One Suzuki GSXR in 7.370. at 181.41.
Qualifying resumes Saturday at 11:15 a.m. and 4 p.m.
ENNIS, Texas -- Results Friday after qualifying for the 4th annual Castrol Nationals presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts at Texas Motorplex, ninth of 23 events in the $45-million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.
Top Fuel -- 1. Gary Scelzi, 4.577 seconds, 322.81 mph; 2. Joe Amato, 4.604, 317.68; 3. Kenny Bernstein, 4.606, 313.47; 4. Tony Schumacher, 4.624, 322.11; 5. Larry Dixon, 4.664, 314.02; 6. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 4.751, 310.13; 7. Cory McClenathan, 4.766, 312.28; 8. Andrew Cowin, 4.774, 309.81; 9. Tim Gibson, 4.860, 277.86; 10. Doug Herbert, 5.156, 215.77; 11. Don Lampus, 5.847, 158..33; 12. David Grubnic, 6.735, 102.37; 13. Doug Kalitta, 9.111, 83.01; 14. Joe Hartley, 10.691, 81.50.
Funny Car -- 1. Whit Bazemore, Chevy Camaro, 4.887, 310.34; 2. John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.935, 312.06; 3. Cristen Powell, Pontiac Firebird, 4.954, 299.60; 4. Jerry Toliver, Camaro, 4.984, 301.60; 5. Bob Gilbertson, Firebird, 5.018, 303.64; 6. Dean Skuza, Dodge Avenger, 5.019, 307.69; 7. Scotty Cannon, Camaro, 5.032, 306.85; 8. Bruce Sarver, Firebird, 5.050, 303.13; 9. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 5.053, 309.81; 10. Al Hofmann, Firebird, 5.082, 295.66; 11. Todd Paton, Camaro, 5.087, 300.50; 12. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 5.116, 295.27; 13. Del Worsham, Firebird, 5.157, 244.29; 14. Ron Capps, Camaro, 5.167, 288.00; 15. Louis Sweet, Avenger, 5.390, 212.91; 16. Johnny Gray, Avenger, 5.405, 285.44.
Pro Stock -- 1. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Camaro, 7.004, 196.63; 2. Tom Martino, Pontiac Firebird, 7.040, 196.24; 3. Ron Krisher, Firebird, 7.043, 196.72; 4. Jim Yates, Firebird, 7.051, 195.82; 5. Warren Johnson, Firebird, 7.056, 195.82; 6. Allen Johnson, Dodge Avenger, 7.056, 194.76; 7. Rickie Smith, Camaro, 7.060, 195.69; 8. Jeg Coughlin, Oldsmobile Cutlass, 7.062, 195.48; 9. Richie Stevens, Firebird, 7.076, 193.84; 10. Troy Coughlin, Cutlass, 7.079, 195.77; 11. Brad Jeter, Firebird, 7.079, 194.76; 12. Hurley Blakeney, Ford Probe, 7.081, 194.97; 13. Robert Patrick, Ford Mustang, 7.083, 195.14; 14. Mark Pawuk, Firebird, 7.087, 194.51; 15. Greg Anderson, Firebird, 7.088, 195.22; 16. Darrell Alderman, Avenger, 7.100, 194.55.
Pro Stock Bike -- 1. Matt Hines, Suzuki, 7.370, 181.41; 2. Angelle Seeling, Suzuki, 7.380, 178.85; 3. David Schultz, Suzuki, 7.387, 177.13; 4. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.400, 176.50; 5. Geno Scali, Suzuki, 7.490, 178.00; 6. Tony Mullen, Suzuki, 7.493, 177.72; 7. Blaine Hale, Kawasaki, 7.544, 176.53; 8. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.561, 181.96; 9. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.562, 177.33; 10. Brian Ayers, Suzuki, 7.562, 176.57; 11. Reggie Showers, Suzuki, 7.579, 178.57; 12. Chris Reuter, Suzuki, 7.637, 172.84; 13. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.645, 172.19; 14. Clarence Markham, Suzuki, 7.685, 174.80; 15. Ron Ayers, Suzuki, 7.718, 157.39; 16. Brian DeLong, Suzuki, 8.623, 173.64.
Text provided by J.E. Wert
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