Columbus Mopar Saturday Qualifying Notes

(KIRKERSVILLE, Ohio - June 17, 2000) - Todd Patterson and his Dodge Motorsports Dakota R/T Pro Stock Truck blistered the National Trail Raceway quarter mile during Saturday's Pontiac Excitement NHRA Nationals final qualifying session. Patterson, who clocked in with a 7.62-second elapsed time at 175.94 mph, qualified in the top half of the bracket in seventh.

"Despite shaking the tires a little, we are right in the hunt," said Patterson, who is campaigning the new small-block Magnum engine. "The new Magnum engine is really performing well. We have lane choice for the first time this year."

"The conditions should be similar tomorrow," Patterson added. "We have the horsepower to win some rounds."

Dean Skuza, driver of the Matco Tools/Mopar Parts Nitro Funny Car, squeaked into the top-16 with a 5.07/304.87 effort. The Dodge Avenger driver, who nabbed the 13th spot, was outside the qualifying field prior to his final lap.

"We were on pins and needles before that last pass," said Skuza, who had smoked the tires in the first two runs. "The car still shook and spun the tires. I'm just glad to be in the show."

Team Mopar Dodge Avenger driver Scott Geoffrion's 7.013/195.59 outing wasn't quick enough to enter the 16-car field. Brad Jeter, who also ran a 7.013, ran a faster 196.07 to bump Geoffrion.

"Pro Stock racing is a game of inches," Geoffrion said. "We found some things this weekend that should help us in the future. Even though I'm disappointed about not qualifying, I'm happy with our progress."

Geoffrion's teammate Darrell Alderman, and driver of the other Team Mopar Dodge Avenger, also missed the field with a 7.016/196.27.

Dodge Motorsports teammates Larry Morgan and John Nobile also failed to qualify. Morgan ran a 7.06/196.13 and Nobile came home with a 7.08/194.94 showing.

In other Pro Stock Truck action, Team Mopar Dodge Dokota R/T pilot Bo Nickens failed to qualify after posting 7.80/172.19 run.

Super Comp competitor and Mopar Performance Parts racer Sheldon Gecker won the NHRA Federal Mogul All-Star Sportsman race held in conjunction with the event.