Hot and Windy Action in Texas
Written by Sheila Scarborough · September 22, 2006
Doug Kalitta, Mike Ashley and Greg Anderson are provisional low qualifiers at the NHRA O’Reilly Fall Nationals.
It’s a pleasure to report for Fast Machines directly from the Texas Motorplex here in Ennis, just south of Dallas. Looming over Highway 287, the track is a first-class venue with the only all-concrete strip on the POWERade circuit.
NHRA.com Friday recap.
I look forward to bringing you sights and sounds from the drags in addition to the regular Fri-Sat-Sun results and recap. Sorry I can’t personally bottle and export those nose-tickling smells of nitro and burnout burning rubber, or the scantily-clad Brut Babes or LendAmerica Babes for the guys. If you want any of the Texas Pig Posse finger-lickin’ ribs or Holy Smoked Sausage that are sold here, you’re going to have to pay a personal visit.
Good thing I’m used to heat; it’s 98 degrees with a 25 mph oven-blast wind.
Some things don’t change….as always, I’m impressed by how accessible the teams and drivers are to their many fans. Of course, it’s a Friday, so the crazy weekend crowds haven’t really stacked up yet, but to see Brandon Bernstein, “Hot Rod” Fuller, JR Todd and others right out there doing autographs and photos is part of what makes “every ticket a pit pass.”
I was just wandering past Bob Vandergriff, Jr.’s UPS dragster, looking to take a photo of him with his admirers, and he insisted on making sure that I got my own picture with him.
Doug Kalitta was walking alone from somewhere back to his pit, and you could see people doing double-takes when they realized who the unassuming, slightly bald man really was.
As we move into the home stretch of the POWERade series, the operative word is “must.” Competitors must qualify, they must keep going rounds, they must win….and they must not make errors. All of this was somewhat magnified by the rained-out Reading PA event, so a lot of eyes are on the Texas Motorplex.
Not that there’s any pressure, mind you. And pay no attention to the threatened rain in tomorrow’s weather forecast.
In Top Fuel, a spectacular night qualifying session solidified Doug Kalitta as the provisional low qualifier with a 4.535 at 324.59 mph. Rod Fuller hung on for a close second and Tony Schumacher is third. Cory McClenathan is on the bump.
“The car’s running strong, certainly good enough to run with anybody that’s up there with us in the points,” Kalitta said. “We’ve got to do our jobs and I can’t be losing on holeshots. Going out early can really put a beating on anybody’s points. You can see how it can go either way real quick.
“I think it’ll be fun going down the stretch with these guys. I just think we’ve got to stay with what we know and stay cool emotionally. None of these races are easy. It’s a tough deal but that’s what makes it worthwhile.”
Funny Car’s New Yawker Mike Ashley powered to his first low qualifier position with a 4.799 at 314.53 mph. John Force Racing drivers Eric Medlen and Robert Hight are second and third, respectively. Del Worsham is on the bump. Gary Scelzi still needs to qualify.
Ashley feels that his team has been underrated this season, but he had confidence in himself, his team and his sponsors. “This is my one year anniversary driving [Funny Car] and we’re starting to get our act together as a team.” he said. He’s concerned about the weather deteriorating, so “we knew we had to get it done on Friday.” A mortgage banker in his other life, he feels a synergy between success in the financial business and success as a driver. Asked about any good deals on mortgages, he joked, “I can get you a 4.79 [APR] but it’ll have to be adjustable.”
Pro Stock activity included the introduction of the Erica Enders Dodge Stratus newly-sponsored by Revive nutrition products. I couldn’t help but wonder how Enders Racing went about getting an entire set of team uniforms and new paint job done lickety-split.
Enders is qualified at #15, which must make her team feel good after DNQ’s at Indy, Memphis and Brainerd and just missing the field in Sonoma. Still, in this super-competitive class her position could easily change tomorrow.
The Pro Stock provisional low qualifier tonight is Greg Anderson, who is trying to catch points leader Jason Line (currently qualified second.) Anderson ran a 6.782 at 203.83, and Larry Morgan is in third place. I got whiplash as teams kept the bump spot hot potato constantly moving through each round. Tonight it’s Dave Northrup on the bump.
“The weekend is right on schedule, just like we drew it up,” said Anderson. “It’s supposed to get cooler tomorrow and cooler still Sunday so the team that manages to adjust their tune-ups to what the track will give them will be the one that succeeds.
“It’s been a different type of season for me. It’s been a grind. But we’re still in the game and right now the cars are the best they’ve been all season. So are the drivers. I want a fourth championship really bad and I know Jason wants his first. They’ve smelled the blood in the water and pushed their way past us. We need to answer back.”
It’s great to be at the track among fellow racing enthusiasts. Some are even relaxing under the bleachers and drinking beer (!!) but here’s a local twist: since this is a dry county (alcohol can only be sold in “private clubs”) race fans pay $2 to join the Texas Motorplex “1320″ club, fill out a form for a card, and voila, they can buy beer. What a country.
As an unapologetic shopper, I like to wander through the Nitro Mall and pit areas to see how many versions of neon-colored flaming, smoking cars can be printed onto a T-shirt. Today’s favorite items for sale are the used autoparts (rods, etc.) autographed by John Force.
Shoot, I already bought the NHRA fuzzy dice, hat and a fridge magnet, so I could see how someone would go for a used crankshaft.
Tomorrow, look for an interview with KB Racing’s Top Fuel driver, Hillary Will.
Top Fuel Qualifying Positions After Round Two
1. Doug Kalitta 4.535 ET 324.59 mph
2. Rod Fuller 4.571 324.28
3. Tony Schumacher 4.630 324.98
4. David Grubnic 4.639 319.37
5. David Baca 4.661 309.63
6. Joe Hartley 4.703 297.61
7. Larry Dixon 4.704 318.84
8. Troy Buff 4.710 319.90
9. Andrew Cowin 4.720 314.68
10. J.R. Todd 4.729 296.76
11. Alan Bradshaw 4.732 315.19
12. Melanie Troxel 4.762 314.97
13. Bill Ancona 4.793 271.30
14. Brandon Bernstein 4.864 254.18
15. Scott Palmer 4.876 263.00
16. Cory McClenathan 4.913 304.74
——— Not Qualified ———
17. Doug Herbert 5.413 224.43
18. Hillary Will 6.262 127.74
19. Morgan Lucas 6.619 132.53
20. Bob Vandergriff 8.477 98.33
Funny Car Qualifying Positions After Round Two
1. Mike Ashley 4.799 ET 314.53 mph
2. Eric Medlen 4.822 318.39
3. Robert Hight 4.849 314.39
4. Tommy Johnson Jr. 4.857 312.86
5. Ron Capps 4.865 317.27
6. Tony Pedregon 4.871 314.53
7. Jim Head 4.893 312.71
8. Cruz Pedregon 4.911 313.37
9. Jack Beckman 4.933 307.02
10. Scott Kalitta 4.954 295.34
11. John Force 4.983 295.98
12. Gary Densham 4.989 310.55
13. Tony Bartone 5.079 287.78
14. Todd Simpson 5.254 288.52
15. Phil Burkart 5.480 200.44
16. Del Worsham 5.518 230.37
——— Not Qualified ———
17. Tim Wilkerson 6.028 171.97
18. Gary Scelzi 7.856 102.70
Pro Stock Qualifying Positions After Round Two
1. Greg Anderson 6.782 ET 203.83 mph
2. Jason Line 6.788 203.19
3. Larry Morgan 6.791 202.82
4. Dave Howard 6.792 203.49
5. Steve Schmidt 6.795 203.92
6. Richie Stevens 6.798 202.55
7. Kurt Johnson 6.799 203.40
8. Ron Krisher 6.803 202.64
9. Mike Edwards 6.805 203.22
10. Greg Stanfield 6.805 203.00
11. Tom Martino 6.805 202.91
12. Allen Johnson 6.805 202.88
13. Tommy Lee 6.806 203.19
14. Dave Connolly 6.808 202.61
15. Erica Enders 6.810 202.55
16. Dave Northrop 6.814 202.27
——— Not Qualified ———
17. Warren Johnson 6.815 203.31
18. Jim Yates 6.817 201.70
19. Max Naylor 6.825 202.48
20. V. Gaines 6.831 203.09
21. Mark Pawuk 6.851 201.79
22. Ben Watson 6.853 200.26
23. Tony Rizzo 6.886 201.04
24. Barry Grant 6.970 200.98
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