Stanton final qualifying report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Vestal IHRA Director of Communications More information: (517) 762-5386

August 9, 1997

Romine quickest in CARQUEST Northern Nationals final qualifying STANTON, Mich. -- Paul Romine of Indianapolis was the quickest in final Top Fuel qualifying Saturday at the CARQUEST Northern Nationals presented by Dart Heads. The race is the fifth of eight IHRA Snap-on Tools Championship Drag Racing Series events. Romine, driver of the CARQUEST Auto Parts dragster, covered the Mid-Michigan Motorplex's quarter-mile in 4.90 seconds at 256.19 miles per hour. Doug Herbert (4.91, 303.43) and Rhonda Hartman (4.91, 302.01) challenged Romine for the top spot. The quickest run of the evening, a 4.88-second blast by points leader Shirley Muldowney, was disqualified as IHRA officials determined her Action Collectables dragster crossed the center line on the pass. Muldowney, of Armada, Mich., failed to qualify for the eight-car field. In other professional category qualifying, Galena, Kan.'s Jerry Yeoman drove to a new Pro Stock track record with a 6.780, 203.94, just bumping off Friday's fastest, Angelo Alesci, who ran 6.799, 202.97. Donn Gingrich of Millington, Tenn. held on to his top spot in Pro Modified at 6.570, 208.38 -- another track record. Four-time IHRA Alcohol Funny Car champion Mark Thomas maintained his top qualifying effort at 5.998, 226.24. Thomas' run was also a new Motorplex track best. CARQUEST Northern Nationals final eliminations start Sunday at noon. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.

CARQUEST Northern Nationals final professional category qualifying:

TOP FUEL: 1. Paul Romine, Indianapolis, 4.902, 256.19; 2. Doug Herbert, Cherryville, N.C., 4.911, 303.43; 3. Rhonda Hartman, Williamston, S.C., 4.918, 302.01; 4. Bruce Litton, Indianapolis, 5.014, 300.00; 5. Danny Dunn, Hudson, N.C., 5.067, 245.96; 6. Wayne Bailey, Leonard, Mich., 5.071, 287.63; 7. Jim Bailey, Mantua, Ohio, 5.076, 289.57; 8. Jack Ostrander, Waterford, Mich., 5.109, 285.35.

PRO STOCK: 1. Jerry Yeoman, Galena, Kan., 6.780, 203.94; 2. Angelo Alesci, Cleveland, Ohio, 6.799, 202.97; 3. John Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., 6.803, 203.02; 4. Pete Berner, Crete, Ill., 6.809, 202.83; 5. Doug Kirk, Lenore, W.Va., 6.812, 202.61; 6. Tim Nabors, Lawrenceville, Ga., 6.818, 202.47; 7. John Konigshofer, Otterville, Ontario, 6.820, 204.49; 8. Jon Yoak, Ellenboro, W.Va., 6.820, 203.89; 9. John Nobile, Melville, N.Y., 6.821, 202.38; 10. David Jenkins, London, Ohio, 6.821, 202.24; 11. Floyd Cheek, Chattanooga, Tenn., 6.828, 203.85; 12. Thomas Lee, Kingsport, Tenn., 6.836, 203.85; 13. Richie Stevens, New Orleans, La., 6.843, 202.11; 14. Ed Machacek, Atkins, Iowa, 6.854, 202.65; 15. Stewart Evans, Northville, Mich., 6.854, 201.25; 16. Charlie Peppers, Auburn, Ga., 6.855, 201.38

PRO MODIFIED: 1. Donn Gingrich, Millington, Tenn., 6.570, 208.38; 2. Michael Martin, Locust, N.C., 6.572, 214.95; 3. Tommy Mauney, Shelby, N.C., 6.573, 211.81; 4. Shannon Jenkins, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 6.579, 209.74; 5. Rickie Smith, King, N.C., 6.588, 211.46; 6. Ronnie Hood, Lenior, N.C., 6.601, 213.92; 7. Quain Stott, Inman, S.C., 6.601, 210.23; 8. Dale Brinsfield, Greensboro, N.C., 6.611, 216.03; 9. Scotty Cannon, Lyman, S.C., 6.625, 209.79; 10. Todd Tutterow, Lewisville, N.C., 6.629, 206.84; 11. Carl Moyer, Ankeny, Iowa, 6.630, 207.42; 12. Gary Shearer, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 6.632, 206.89; 13. Brian Gahm, Lucasville, Ohio, 6.639, 208.52; 14. Brad Jeter, Greenville, S.C., 6.639, 208.52; 15. Eddie Bishop, Mobile, Ala., 6.641, 206.42; 16. Ted Smith, Smithfield, Pa., 6.646, 210.52

ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR: 1. Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, 5.998, 226.24; 2. Jimmy Rector, Vernon, Ala., 6.027, 230.88; 3. Von Smith, Oak Ridge, Tenn., 6.060, 234.19; 4. Jim Sickles, Caledonia, N.Y., 6.091, 230.59; 5. Larry Dobbs, Welland, Ontario, 6.138, 226.58; 6. Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, 6.141, 223.21; 7. Gerry Thalacker, Lake Wylie, S.C., 6.154, 228.07; 8. Butch Kernodle, Virginia Beach, Va., 6.176, 230.88; 9. Billy Williams, Parma, Ohio, 6.185, 222.71; 10. Rudy McAdams, Ellicott City, Md., 6.220, 222.05; 11. John Rose Jr., Reading, Pa., 6.224, 197.58; 12. Scott Weney, Spring City, Pa., 6.251, 226.52; 13. Mike Preslar, Salisbury, N.C., 6.268, 203.02; 14. Mick Steele, Loganville, Ga., 6.273, 226.58; 15. Mark Poyser, Fort Wayne, Ind., 6.286, 224.83; 16. Scott Weis, Ashland, Va., 6.493, 210.47.