Camaros Advance at Dallas NHRA
24 October 1999
CHEVROLET NOTES AND QUOTES O'REILLY FALL NATIONALS NHRA WINSTON DRAG RACING SERIES TEXAS MOTORPLEX ENNIS, TEXAS SUNDAY, OCT. 24, 1999 PRO STOCK -- CAMARO Z28 -- ELIMINATIONS BOTH CAMAROS DEFEATED IN FIRST ROUND No. 16 qualifier MIKE EDWARDS, DEWCO PERFORMANCE CAMARO Z28, winner of the last two events, both times on holeshot advantages, was defeated by polesitter Warren Johnson in the first round today: 6.860/201.16, .470 R/T, for Warren to Mike's 6.899/199.20, .439 R/T. Edwards is one of the best launchers in the sport, he had the better reaction time, but it wasn't enough. Edwards won the Topeka event this year from 16th spot, the first time that's happened in the Pro Stock class. EDWARDS: "I should not have been in that position to have to run him first round. I'm just fortunate to qualify 16th, with all the trouble we had all weekend in qualifying. It's unfortunate, but I am still happy we qualified. If there was a way that we could somehow beat him I figured I could win the race. Usually, if you are going to win a drag race in Pro Stock you have to beat one of the Johnsons (Warren and Kurt), and Warren is the toughest one. But there are two more races left for Mike Edwards." WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR MIND WHEN YOU'RE PAIRED WITH WARREN? "I don't even think about it. It's just another competitor next to me when I get in the car. I just focus on the car and do the best I cn do. I do both things on this Camaro. I worry about the car setup too. I'm thinking more about the mechanical aspects of the Camaro and the track than I am about my driving. Driving just comes naturally for me. I don't mean to sound arrogant when I say that, but that's how I feel." KURT JOHNSON, ACDELCO CAMARO Z28, recorded the fastest run of his Pro Stock career in the final quaifying session, 202.02 mph, bettering his previous personal best speed of 201.94 mph. Unfortunately, he lost in the first round to Troy Coughlin. Kurt's Camaro made a hard move toward the centerline, forcing him to shut off. The race for second place in the championship remained tight as Kurt's rival Jeg Coughlin Jr. also lost in the first round. KURT: "We adjusted the clutch one-quarter turn and moved four pounds of ballast after qualifying. With those minor changes, the car practically went out of control. Why? What happened? We don't know. We tested in Atlanta and Memphis and made 12 runs without a hint of tire shake, then we come here and lose in the first round with unbelievable tire shake. The tires were distorted as soon as I left the starting line, the clutch was locked up, and that was it." FUNNY CAR -- CAMARO Z28 THE TWO CAMAROS IN FIELD ADVANCE TO SEMIS Both Camaros advanced to the semifinal: RON CAPPS, COPENHAGEN CAMARO Z28, defeated Dale Creasy Jr. in the first round, then eliminated Cruz Pedregon in the second. WHIT BAZEMORE, KENDALL OIL/SUPERWINCH CAMARO Z28, disposed of Cory Lee in the first round and his archrival Tony Pedregon in the second. The semifinal will see a classic Chevy vs. Ford battle, as Ron Capps faces newly-crowned champion John Force. Bazemore meets Pontiac driver Tommy Johnson Jr. # # #