Darlington Paul Romine Qualifying Story

ROMINE STRUGGLES, BUT QUALIFIES 7TH AT IHRA PROLONG WINTER NATIONALS

DARLINGTON,SC (March 13, 1999) -- So far the Prolong Super Lubricants Winter Nationals at Darlington Int'l Dragway has been an event to forget for CARQUEST Top Fuel driver Paul Romine

The 2-Time IHRA Top Fuel World Champion never negotiated a solid run down the Darlington quarter-mile in three qualifying attempts, but still qualified, finished seventh in the field with a 6.375/147.99.

"It wasn't pretty, but we're in the show and that's what matters," Romine said. " Final eliminations are a whole new ball game and we're counting on good weather and a nice warm track."

Top qualifier was Doug Herbert's Snap-on dragster, driven by Jim Bailey. The Snap-on Dragster recorded the quickest time in IHRA history with a 4.676/301.47. Romine's first round opponent, Don Lampus, qualified second with an official IHRA ET record of 4.744/303.78.

Weather permitting, Romine will face Lampus in round one of the IHRA Prolong Super Lubricants Winter Nationals, scheduled for Sunday. Romine is 1-1 against Lampus in IHRA final eliminations. The duo last met in round one of the 1998 IHRA North American Nationals with Lampus defeated Romine.

ESPN2 will provide tape delayed coverage of the Winter Nationals at a later date.

Coverage of the event can be obtained on the World Wide Web at the IHRA Web Page(WWW. IHRA .COM). For more information about Paul Romine and CARQUEST Racing, please visit the CARQUEST Racing homepage (WWW.CARQUEST.COM/MOTORSPORTS.HTM)