Darlington postponed 97-09-27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Vestal IHRA Director of Communications More information: (423) 764-1164

Sept. 27, 1997

Rain postpones IHRA Snap-on Finals

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Persistent rain showers moved into the north eastern region of South Carolina Saturday afternoon, forcing IHRA officials to postpone the second annual Snap-on Finals at Darlington International Dragway. The race, the ninth and final event of the IHRA Snap-on Tools Championship Drag Racing Series for 1997, will be completed in a two-day amended schedule, Oct. 10-11. Despite several attempts by IHRA officials to dry the track after a series of brief showers throughout the day, a large shower around 6 p.m. soaked the facility. "We thought there was going to be a break in the weather pattern this weekend, but the rain just wouldn't quit," said IHRA Director of Competition Robert Leonard. "We really wanted to get this event in the books, but under the circumstances rescheduling is our only option." Qualifying will be reopened for both professional and sportsman categories on Friday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. Final eliminations will begin at 12 noon on Saturday, Oct. 11. The tech department has been closed for the event and no new entries will be permitted on the rescheduled date. Sunday, Oct. 12 has been reserved as a rain date. A revised competition schedule for the event will be available at the IHRA office Monday. In addition, spectator tickets purchased Saturday will be honored on either make-up day. Cherryville, N.C.'s Doug Herbert, driving the Snap-on Tools dragster, leads Top Fuel qualifying, recording a 4.941 second pass at 299.60 miles per hour. Paul Romine, who clinched his first IHRA Snap-on Tools Top Fuel world championship during first round qualifying, is second at 4.955, 293.73 in the CARQUEST Auto Parts-sponsored dragster. Other top qualifiers include Kings Mountain, N.C.'s Wally Stroupe in Pro Modified (6.485, 215.00); Monty Todd of Montgomery, Ala. in Alcohol Funny Car (5.963, 234.13); and Cleveland, Ohio's Angelo Alesci in Pro Stock (6.727, 205.15). Snap-on Tools World Championships are still up for grabs in Pro Stock, Pro Modified, Alcohol Funny Car, Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, Modified, Quick Rod and Hot Rod. In addition to Romine, drivers who have already secured Snap-on Tools world championships in their respective categories include Anthony Bertozzi in Super Stock, Rusty Cook in Super Rod and Harold Gault in Stock.