Chicago Mopar Route 66 Saturday Notes

(JOLIET, Ill. - June 3, 2000) - Dean Skuza, driver of the MATCO/Mopar Nitro Funny Car, nabbed the fifth qualifying position for Sunday's Prestone Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway. Skuza's Dodge Avenger flew to a 4.89-second elapsed time at 308.64 mph following Saturday's final session.

"We're extremely pleased with where we qualified," Skuza said. "(Crew chief) Lance (Larsen) and the MATCO/Mopar crew have built some consistency into this program. Except for last weekend in Dallas (13th), we have managed to qualify in the top half of the bracket the last few races."

Dodge Motorsports Dakota R/T driver Todd Patterson was very impressive in qualifying with a 7.54/177.44. The Kansas resident just missed the top half of the bracket with a ninth-place run.

"I think we have found the right combination," Patterson said. "We have worked really hard with the new Magnum to get it ready. I'm pleased with the horsepower we are creating, we have a chance to go deep into eliminations."

The Team Mopar Dodge Avengers of Darrell Alderman and Scott Geoffrion barely missed the top 16. Alderman's best combination was a 6.92/198.23 and Geoffrion's top showing was 6.93/198.44.

"We had a straight shot in that last session," Alderman noted.  "It just
wasn't enough.  We'll be ready for Columbus in two weeks."

Alderman came home 18th and Geoffrion was 19th.

Dodge Motorsports Avenger pilot Larry Morgan also failed to qualify. The NHRA Pro Stock standout drove to a 6.97/197.31.