Darlington Snap-on Finals Qualifying 97-09-26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Vestal IHRA Director of Communications More information: (803) 332-0123

Sept. 26, 1997

Herbert leads Snap-on Finals qualifying

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Defending IHRA Snap-on Tools World Champion Doug Herbert led first round Top Fuel qualifying Friday at Darlington International Dragway's Snap-on Finals with a 4.94- second, 299.60 mile per hour run in his Snap-on Tools dragster. His speed was a new track record, just missing becoming Darlington's first-ever 300 mile per hour pass. Paul Romine, driving the CARQUEST Auto Parts-sponsored dragster, was second with a 4.95, 293 mph effort. The Indianapolis racer clinched his first IHRA Snap-on Tools World Championship in Top Fuel when he completed the first session of time trials, earning enough points to make it mathematically impossible for Herbert and Shirley Muldowney to catch him. Other top qualifiers in professional categories included Wally Stroupe of Kings Mountain, N.C. in Pro Modified (6.485, 215.00); Cleveland, Ohio's Angelo Alesci in Pro Stock (6.727, 205.15) and Monty Todd of Montgomery, Ala. in Alcohol Funny Car (5.963, 234.13). Snap-on Finals qualifying continues Saturday.

Professional Qualifying Results DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Results following first session professional category qualifying Friday at the second annual Snap-on Finals at Darlington International Dragway. The race is the ninth and final event on the IHRA Snap-on Tools Championship Drag Racing Series. TOP FUEL -- 1. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., 4.941, 299.60; 2. Paul Romine, Indianapolis, 4.955, 293.73; 3. Luigi Novelli, Crete, Ill., 5.300, 209.49; 4. Bobby Lagana Jr., Scarsdale, N.Y., 5.414, 264.00; 5. Dave Bieneman, Royal Oak, Mich., 5.840, 161.43; 6. Danny Dunn, Hudson, N.C., 9.638, 83.47; 7. R.C. Sherman, Frederick, Md., 10.123, 85.00; 8. Richard Langson, Carson City, Nev., 11.574, 52.65.

PRO STOCK -- 1. Angelo Alesci, Cleveland, Ohio, 6.727, 205.15; 2. Steve Williford, Engelhard, N.C., 6.732, 204.45; 3. John Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., 6.741, 205.43; 4. Doug Kirk, Lenore, W.Va., 6.742, 204.49; 5. David Jenkins, London, Ohio, 6.753, 203.38; 6. Tony Gillig, Lake Zurich, Ill., 6.754, 203.75; 7. Jon Yoak, Ellenboro, W.Va., 6.763, 203.71; 8. Pete Berner, Crete, Ill., 6.765, 203.66; 9. Floyd Cheek, Chattanooga, Tenn., 6.766, 205.99; 10. John Nobile, Melville, N.Y., 6.778, 203.20; 11. Chris Holbrook, Redford, Mich., 6.788, 203.06; 12. Ed Machacek, Atkins, Iowa, 6.789, 203.11; 13. Billy Huff, Shepherdsville, Ky., 6.789, 202.79; 14. Richie Stevens, New Orleans, La., 6.795, 202.70; 16. Stewart Evans, Northville, Mich., 6.796, 204.40. PRO MODIFIED -- 1. Wally Stroupe, Kings Mountain, N.C., 6.485, 215.00; 2. Todd Tutterow, Lewisville, N.C., 6.509, 213.67; 3. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 6.509, 211.76; 4. Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., 6.522, 207.61; 5. Steve Vick, Mocksville, N.C., 6.524, 210.32; 6. John Bartunek, Pearl River, N.Y., 6.525, 212.96; 7. Quain Stott, Inman, S.C. 6.534, 214.74; 8. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., 6.550, 211.76; 9. Ronnie Hood, Lenior, N.C., 6.553, 212.96; 10. Don Fegley, Jr., New Ringgold, Pa., 6.561, 209.39; 11. David Chambers, Elgin, S.C., 6.568, 208.38; 12. Stevie Foster, Adkins, Texas, 6.581, 212.11; 13. Ed Hoover, Gilbert, S.C., 6.589, 210.57; 14. Eddie Bishop, Mobile, Ala., 6.589, 210.57; 15. Brad Jeter, Greenville, S.C., 6.595, 212.86; 16. Johnny Rocca, Leesburg, S.C., 6.599, 208.76. ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR -- 1. Monty Todd, Montgomery, Ala., 5.963, 234.13; 2. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., 5.976, 235.66; 3. Larry Dobbs, Ontario, Canada, 6.008, 230.41; 4. Scott Weney, Spring City, Pa., 6.025, 232.67; 5. Gerry Thalacker, Lake Wylie, S.C., 6.053, 228.77; 6. John Rose Jr., Reading, Pa., 6.063, 238.15; 7. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, 6.072, 227.61; 8. Jimmy Rector, Vernon, Ala., 6.108, 230.17; 9. Mark Poyser, Ft. Wayne, Ind., 6.196, 223.54; 10. Scott Weis, Ashland, Va., 6.236, 229.00; 11. Carl Fumerelle, Livonia, Mich., 6.278, 219.72; 12. Joe Comella, Parma, Ohio, 6.325, 222.22; 13. Vincent Rastelli, Gasport, N.Y., 6.367, 220.69; 14. Butch Kernodle, Virginia Beach, Va., 6.444, 221.83; 15. Larry Barrow, Vanceboro, N.C., 6.538, 210.03; 16. Barry Faxon, Cincinnati, Ohio, 6.692, 223.88.