Norwalk: Friday qualifying pit notes

TOP FUEL
Bruce Litton - One week after posting an impressive semi-final finish at Brainerd, Litton brought his Wix Filters entourage into Norwalk with every intention of bagging the huge prize. The Indianapolis-based, enclosed trailer dealership owner stepped up to the third spot with a 4.814, 301.20 after Friday's session.

FUNNY CAR
Terry McMillan - McMillan was intent on earning a place in the field and made an impressive baseline in the first session. The Elkhart, Ind.-sponsored driver landed in the eighth spot with a 6.077, 231.04. McMillen made some changes in the fuel pump and supercharger department and the move paid off with a slight improvement with a 6.095/229.20. He ended up in the 11th spot after the first day.

Laurie Cannister - Utilizing a new air bladder system, which prevents harm from violent tireshake, Cannister had no such problems in her first qualifying attempt. The executive assistant from Clinton, Pa., was on a mission as she ascended to the second spot with a 5.899, 236.88. Her second attempt proved to be no improvement with a 5.941/235.06. She slipped one spot to the third.

John Vouros - The potential Rookie of the Year candidate got off to an excellent start as stormed to the fifth spot after the first session of qualifications. The CompetitionPlus.com-sponsored driver from Victor, NY., opened up with a respectable 6.077, 231.04. He stepped up in the evening session and landed in the fourth spot with a 5.908/232.31.

PRO MODIFIED
Paul Athey/Johnny Rocca - The first day of qualifying was not kind to the Mohegan Sun-sponsored team of Johnny Rocca and driven by Paul Athey. The team's first attempt produced a 6.881/173.29, which left them in the 29th spot. Athey was on his way to earning a berth in the show, but was forced to lift when the car drifted to the center-line with a 6.481/217.35. He remains unqualified headed into the final day.

Alan Pittman - Engaged in a fierce battle for the Pro Modified championship, Pittman know that Norwalk was going to be a battle to the finish. The Pelzer, S.C.-based driver opened up with a less than spectacular 6.460/221.89. He rebounded in the final session on Friday with a 6.348/226.58.

Ed Hoover - The recent Northern Nationals champion had hoped to carry his magic into Norwalk. Hoover, a past winner at Norwalk, got off to a good start with a 6.323/223.28. That put him in the fourth spot. The evening session was not as gracious as he lifted early and coasted to a 7.239/130.83.

Chip King - King was hoping to make a major impact at the Mopar Parts World Nationals since he is in the minority campaigning a Hemi. King opened up qualifying with a 6.402, 221.09. He was poised to make a tremendous leap, but fell short with a 6.451/218.19.

Team Castellana - The first day of qualifying for Jenkins and Castellana was largely dominated by the Iceman. Jenkins saved his best for the Friday evening session as he leapt to the top half of the program with a 6.267/221.71. Earlier in the day, he laid down a 6.339/222.00. On the other hand, Castellana had a tough time and could only manage a 9.539/92.21.

Steve Cossis - Cossis has been making great stride during the last several events. After missing out on his first run, the CompetitionPlus.com-sponsored driver from Astoria, N.Y., stepped up in Friday's final session and earned a spot in the field with a 6.397/218.44.

Ron Kammes - Kammes showed up at Norwalk with a new attitude and a new look for his 2001 Corvette. One race after crashing twice, the newly-sponsored CompetitionPlus.com entry stepped up with two incredible straight aas an arrow passes. Kammes was the picture of consistency as his 6.327/218.69 in the evening session improved on his 6.329/223.43 from earlier in the day.

PRO STOCK
John Montecalvo - The Citgo-sponsored Montecalvo, who is a businessman from Long Island, New York, had his objective for the first day of qualifying listed as preparing for the Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Stock Showdown. He found an acceptable baseline in a 6.730, 205.57 to land in the seventh spot after Friday's first session. As the temperatures provided favorable conditions in the second session, Montecalvo stepped up to a 6.710, 206.01 to claim the eighth spot.

Tom Lee - The Kingsport, Tenn.-based record hold knows that he must make up ground on the points leader. Lee ended the first session in the top half of the show by landing in the second spot with a 6.687, 208.17. He improved slightly in the second session as he hammered out a 6.672, 208.04. However, the pace picked up and Lee dropped to the fourth position.

Dwayne Rice - After extensive testing to right some wrongs, the Grove City, Ohio-based excavator entered Norwalk with redemption on his mind. He got off to a good start in the first session with a 6.745, 206.89. He retained a measure of consistency as he laid down a 6.746. Rice ended the first day as the 12th qualifier.

Gene Wilson - If anyone had a notion that the Canton, Ga.-based points leader was ready to step away from the top spot, they'd be well advised to not pay attention to it. Wilson blasted his way to a new track record and the pole position with a 6.649, 209.01 in the first session. In the evening session, he improved further with a 6.642, 208.84.

LIZZARD RACING ENGINES TOP SPORTSMAN QUICK EIGHT SHOOTOUT -

The current qualifiers for the LIZZARD RACING Top Sportsman Quick Eight are as follows:
1. Kasey Janzen 6.486, 213.20
2. Dave Thomasino 6.546, 208.49
3. Harry Rockwell 6.656, 214.83
4. Rick Sornberger 6.672, 205.44
5. Hector Estrada 6.698, 205.54
6. Frank Gugliotta 6.715, 206.07
7. Brian Daniels 6.719, 209.85
8. Kenny Rucker 6.720, 205.35

-CP-