Darlington Warm-up Thursday Report

Darlington International Dragway’s Premiere Doorslammer Test Session & Race

February 18. 1999 DARLINGTON, SC-- Rain may have hampered early morning testing at The Majesty Homes Groundhog Warm-Up, but once the clouds blew over and the racing surface was dried, many of the IHRA’s elite doorslammers took assault on what has proven to be a formidable racing surface. John Montecalvo of Center Moriches, N.Y. proved to be the quickest of the Pro Stock entries as he hammered out a 6.650/207.46 in his Citgo- sponsored, Chevrolet Monte Carlo to record the quickest lap of the two days. Other second day leaders included Troy Crichley in Pro Modified with a 6.395/217.54 and Jim Yates paced the NHRA Pro Stock contingent with a 6.910/197.88. Jamey Emery was the quickest and fastest Top Fuel Harley on the grounds with a 7.323/186.02.

The quickest three Pro Stock entries following Montecalvo for Thursday were Ron Miller’s Pontiac (6.667/207.18), Steve Speiss’ Monte Carlo (6.689/206.42) and Chris Holbrook’s Ford Probe (6.698/206.70).

The quickest three Pro Modified entries following Critchley for Thursday were Steve Vick’s 1968 Camaro (6.485/213.21), Ed Hoover’s 1963 Corvette (6.496/215.25) and Mike Castellana’s 1963 Corvette (6.528/212.11).

A respectable contingent of NHRA-sanctioned, 500-cubic inch Pro Stocks made the trek to Darlington for testing and the top three behind Yates were the Pontiacs of Richie Stevens (6.920/196.42), Tom Martino (6.964/196.07) and the Ford of Robert Patrick (6.981/196.33)

The Majesty Homes Groundhog Warm-Up will continue with unlimited testing runs on Friday. Pro Modifed, Pro Stock, 500-cid Pro Stock and Top Fuel Harley racers are given free testing under the stipulation that they compete in an open race on Saturday. There will be a 16 car field for both the Pro Modifieds and Pro Stocks. Any other cars that wish to test are welcomed to do so at a $200 per day fee. Qualifying for the race will begin with sessions on Saturday at 10 AM and at Noon. Eliminations are scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM. Spectators are encouraged to attend on Saturday and the admission will be $10 per person.

DARLINGTON, SC-- TESTING BESTS

Pro Stock John Montecalvo-- 6.650/207.46 (4.296 1/8) Ron Miller-- 6.667/207.18 (4.310 1/8) Steve Speiss--6.689/206.42 (4.317 1/8) Chris Holbrook-- 6.698/206.70 (4.331 1/8) Tom Lee-- 6.705/206.70 (4.339 1/8) Stewart Evans-- 6.712/204.17 (4.332 1/8) Dwayne Rice-- 6.738/204.03-- 4.342 1/8 mile Floyd Cheek-- 6.896/163.36 (4.315 1/8) Jeremy Bevins-- 8.43/117.41

Pro Modified Troy Critchley-- 6.395/217.54 (4.159 1/8) Steve Vick-- 6.485/213.21 (4.206 1/8) Ed Hoover-- 6.496/215.25 (4.239 1/8) Mike Castellana-- 6.528/212.11 (4.237 1/8) Carl Moyer-- 6.559/210.32 (4.259 1/8) Ronnie Hood-- 6.636/209.83 (4.321 1/8) Shannon Jenkins-- 6.662/164.77 (4.177 1/8) Paul Rocco-- 6.815/196.50 (4.380 1/8) Steve Cossis-- Broke Chuck Van Vallis--

500-inch Pro Stock Jim Yates-- 6.910/197.88 (4.436 1/8) Richie Stevens-- 6.920/ 196.42 (4.434 1/8) Tom Martino-- 6.964/196.07 (4.463 1/8) Robert Patrick-- 6.981/196.33 (4.487 1/8) Mike Thomas-- Shut-off Shawn Collins-- Shut-Off

Top Fuel Harley-Davidson

Jamie Emery-- 7.323/186.02 (4.784 1/8) Bob Malloy-- BROKE