NHRA FMDRS: Meyers clinches Federal-Mogul Allstar berth with fifth win, Baton Rouge
1 May 2000
ERWINVILLE, La.- Jay Meyer took out division rival Troy Buff for his fifth win of the season and clinched a birth in the Federal-Mogul Allstars to be held in June in Columbus, Ohio. Meyer ran 5.60's all day in his Federal-Mogul Dragster giving him lane choice as he worked his way through the field. Meyer's 5.629 second run at 248.96 mph out powered Buff's 5.713, 247.72. "We haven't been here at State Capitol (Dragway) since 1995 or 1996 and it's a tough track" said and exhausted Meyer. "We had the car dialed in and walked the tight rope this weekend. I'm totally worn out right now. Stacey MacNimer and the crew did a great job along with some help we got from Tom Conway." Tate Branch of Artesia, N.M. took out local favorite Warren Dauzat, then streaked away from a tire smoking Todd Simpson in the final round of Federal-Mogul Funny Car. Branch crossed the finish line at 6.174 seconds at 238.91. "It was a strange weekend" quoted Branch in the Winner's Circle. "We had a fuel line come off on two of the three qualifying runs (one producing a fireball that was quickly extinguished) but ran a 5.97 and 5.98 today then the 6.174 in the final. It just all came together today" Branch won the season opener in Houston to go along with this his second win of the 2000 season. Like Meyer, this race qualifies him for the Allstars in June. Branch says he needs to talk to the sponsor prior to making any commitments for Columbus. A couple of local racers made trips to the winner's circle today with Joe Tueton of Houma, La., taking the win in Super Stock in his '68 Cuda and Robert Cool from La Place, La., who took out New Orleans Vasil John in the Super Street final. The following are final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at State Capitol Dragway: FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER ROUND 1 1. Jay Meyer, Freeport, Texas, 5.606 seconds, 250.13 miles per hour def. 8. Larry Becktold, Luther, Oka., 6.394, 213.16 2. Troy Buff, Spring, Texas, 5.614, 252.31 def. 7. Joe Fuentes, Leander, Texas, 6.163, 219.45 3. Gene Snow, Ft. Worth, Texas, 9.312, 263.10 def. 6. Greg Roberts, Kenner, La., broke 4. Shelly Howard, Tulsa, Oka., 5.679, 249.37 def. 5. Lee Callaway, Channelview, Texas, 7.651, 123.67 ROUND 2 1. Meyer, 5.628, 249.30 def. Howard, 5.836, 246.23 2. Buff, 5.730, 250.41 def. BYE ` FINAL 1. Meyer, 5.629, 248.96 def. 2. Buff, 5.713, 247.72 FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR ROUND 1 1. Warren Dauzat, Baton Rouge, La., '93 Achieva, 6.605 seconds, 240.77 miles per hour vs. bye 2. Todd Simpson, Ponder, Texas, '98 Avenger, 6.073, 198.45 def. 5. EJ Johnson, Violet, La., '99 Achieva, 8.642, 95.58 3. Tate Branch, Artesia, N.M., '99 Avenger, 5.977, 242.39 def. 4. Ron Morrison, Oklahoma City, '97 Cutlass, 15.525, 46.14 broke ROUND 2 3. Branch, 5.987, 243.90 def. 1. Dauzat, 7.421, 201.02 2. Simpson, 6.273, 228.83 def. Bye FINAL 3. Branch, 6.174, 238.91 def., Simpson, 15.604, 49.15 smoked tires COMPETITION Buddy Nickens , Houston, Texas, C/A '97 Avenger, 7.678, 163.30 def. Mike Trumble, Pasadena, Texas, D/SM '92 Camaro, 8.353, 151.74 SUPER STOCK Joe Teuton, Houma, La., SS/AA '68 Cuda, 9.198, 136.11 def. Gilbert Johnson, Lecompte, La., GT/KA '91 Cutlass, 11.019, 119.30 STOCK Harvey Emmons III, Pasadena, Texas, H/SA '69 Camaro, 11.828, 108.74 def. Larry Hudson, Ruston, La., H/S '69 Nova, 11.839, 112.00 SUPER COMP Greg Rucker, Lindsay, Oka., '00 dragster,8.958, 146.19 def. Leon, Philpot, Grand Prairie, Texas, '00 dragster, BROKE SUPER GAS Robert Cool, La Place, La., '70 Barracuda, 15.981, 69.66 def. BYE SUPER STREET Mark Clark, Laurel, Miss., '67 Camaro, 10.928, 133.92 def. Mike Frederick, Beaumont, Texas, BROKE MOTORCYCLE Larry Eperjesi, Lake Dallas, Texas, '00 Koenig, 8.200, 153.11 def. John Paterson, League City, Texas, '00 Suzuki, 10.034, 120.57 -- 30 --