The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

TRANS AM: Boris Said Takes Pole For Johnson Controls 100

29 October 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
Las Vegas, Nev. -- Boris Said in the #33 Applied Computer Solutions Ford Mustang Cobra came out of the second qualifying group this afternoon to take the pole with a lap of 1:17.077 (105.090 mph) for the Johnson Controls 100 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The pole position by Said was his fourth career appearance and third appearance this in the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Fast Five Qualifying.

Kenny Wilden, the winner of the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series 100 at Laguna Seca Calif., two weeks ago, paced the #40 YO Ranch Chevrolet Camaro to a lap of 1:12.236 to grab the outside front row position. Wilden, making just his sixth start in the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series, was on the pole at Laguna Seca and finished the qualifying session just 0.159 seconds behind Said.

Brian Simo in the #88 Tommy Bahama Qvale Mangusta was third in the qualifying session and will start from directly behind Said. Simo, who trails Drivers' Championship points leader Paul Gentilozzi (#1 Johnson Controls HomeLink Jaguar XKR) by 30 points coming into the weekend, made his 50th appearance in the Fast Five this afternoon.

Stu Hayner (#98 Trenton Forging Chevrolet Camaro) and Johnny Miller (#64 Automationdirect.com UPS Chevrolet Camaro) finished fourth and fifth. For Hayner the appearance in the Fast Five was just the second this season. Miller, who is looking to break through with his first career win this weekend, is making his 22nd career appearance in the Fast Five.

"It is an advantage for me to run in three different series here like I did at Laguna Seca two weeks ago," said Said. "It gives me a bit more track time. I take my hat off to Mike Davis (team owner of the #33 and driver of the #11 Applied Computer Solutions Ford Mustang Cobra) and his crew. He a great guy to race for."

"I got a reasonably fast lap, but was unable to get that second or third fast lap," said Wilden. "Since I was in the second qualifying group, there were traffic problems that I had to deal with. We picked the wrong setup this afternoon and I expect that there is more speed in the car."

Tomorrow afternoon's Johnson Controls 100 is the final race in the Johnson Controls Triple Challenge. The Triple Challenge pays a bonus of $20,000 and three additional points to the driver with the most Drivers' Championship points over the three Triple Challenge races. The second place Johnson Controls Triple Challenge finisher will receive a $5,000 cash bonus with the third place driver receiving a $2,500 prize. Willy T. Ribbs (#16 Simple Green Chevrolet Camaro) leads the Triple Challenge points standings with 53 points, just three points ahead of Simo.

Text Provided By David Lang

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.