Budds Creek Johnny Mancuso Report

Mancuso Falls In First Round At EXPRESS Auto Parts.Com President's Cup Nationals

BUDDS CREEK, MD. -- This season has maybe more peaks and valleys than John Mancuso would care to travel. The veteran Top Fuel Harley rider from Houston, Tx., saw his championship hopes dealt another devastating blow with a first round loss. This frustrating first round exit comes just one week after taking part in the quickest side-by-side Screamin Eagle Nitro Harley race.

Mancuso opened qualifying with some problems finding the right combination. He smoked the tire and drifted close to the center-line. He pedaled to a 7.20/184.77 lap.

He secured a spot in the field following the third session, which turned out to be the quickest session of any Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley event. The veteran rider streaked to a phenomenal 6.75/207.56. This run was good enough for the seventh spot going into the final session. The conditions weren't the safest for the Harley bikes during the evening session, but Mancuso opted to run anyway. The true grit performer smoked the tire and aborted a 7.332/163.88. He completed qualifying with the seventh quickest run and was paired against Ray Price in the first round of eliminations.

Mancuso outreacted the veteran Price, but parts failure forced him to lift. Price streaked by for the victory.

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