Columbus Romine Saturday Qualifying

ROMINE QUALIFIES 13th, WILL RACE TONY SCHUMACHER IN ROUND ONE

HEBRON, OHIO (June 12, 1999) -- Paul Romine will staged his CARQUEST Top Fuel dragster against Tony Schumacher in round one action Sunday at the NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals at National Trails Raceway near Columbus, Ohio.

Romine, a two-time IHRA Top Fuel Champion, qualified the CARQUEST dragster in the 13th spot with a 4.821/293.92 effort, turned in during Friday's first qualifying session.

"Tomorrow is going to be one of those days where anybody can win the race," said Romine, of Indianapolis. "With the heat and humidity, the track conditions are very tricky. We got down the track three out of four tries and I'm confident Clayton (Harris, the crew chief) and the guys will give me a good ride in round one."

In round one, Romine faces Tony Schumacher, who qualified his Exide Batteries dragster 4th with a 4.659/308.71 . Lifetime, Romine is 1-0 against Schumacher. Romine defeated Schumacher in round two of the 1998 FRAM Route 66 Nationals.

Final eliminations of the NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals are set to begin Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Pontiac Excitement Nationals will be televised by ABC Sports June 20th at 3 p.m. (EDT).