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HEBRON, Ohio - SUMMIT FastNews - For the first time since Thursday, racers at National Trail Raceway were not interrupted by rain and completed final eliminations. Kenny Bernstein, Frank Pedregon, Jeg Coughlin, and Matt Hines won in their ...
Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM
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HEBRON, Ohio - SUMMIT FastNews - For the first time since Thursday, racers at National Trail Raceway were not interrupted by rain and completed final eliminations. Kenny Bernstein, Frank Pedregon, Jeg Coughlin, and Matt Hines won in their respective Professional categories at the 34th annual NHRA Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing at National Trail Raceway Sunday.
In Top Fuel, Bernstein faced Bob Vandergriff in the final round, winning with an elapsed time of 4.687 seconds at 310.66 mph over Vandergriff's 4.702 at 297.81. Afterward Bernstein compared the win to that two weeks ago in Joliet, Ill., "Any time you win, you boys and gals know, if you have any competitive bones in you, whenever you win at anything you do, it's enjoyable and the latest one is good. The one before that is okay, but this is the one now."
Points leader Cory McClenathan lost in the second round, allowing second place Joe Amato to close the margin to just 19 points and vaulting Bernstein from sixth to fourth, 188 points behind.
In Funny Car, Frank Pedregon scored his first national event win in his first final round appearance, his 5.262 at 285.53 good enough to defeat a tire-smoking Dean Skuza. The win made Frank the third Pedregon brother to score a win in Funny Car this season (the other two being Cruz and Tony), prompting Frank to say, "It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm grateful we even have a ride this year. I don't mind getting chewed out by (car owner and Craftsman Crew Chief of the Race) Jim Dunn now that I've got a win for him."
Points leader John Force lost to Skuza in the semifinals, but opened his points lead over Chuck Etchells, who lost in the second round.
In Pro Stock, Jeg Coughlin defeated defending Winston champion Jim Yates in the final round, posting a 7.022 second ET at 196.03 mph over Yates' 7.066 at 195.14. Coughlin, from Columbus, enjoyed strong fan support throughout the event and competed in two categories, losing to Joliet winner Dan Fletcher in a close Super Stock final round. Coughlin gave that loss part of the credit for his win in Pro Stock, saying, "I had a little blood running out of my mouth after the final of Super Stock, getting beat. We felt confident having lane choice going into the final over Yates. Our whole team did an excellent job giving me a great race car.
Points leader Warren Johnson lost in the first round, allowing Yates to gain 71 points and narrow the gap between first and second to 174 points.
In Pro Stock Bike, Matt Hines continued to dominate the field, defeating David Schultz in the final round, 7.342 at 178.42 to Schultz's 7.481 at 170.74. Points leader Hines opened the gap over second-place Angelle Seeling to 187 points after Seeling lost in round two.
An estimated crowd of 105,850 attended the four-day event.
Other winners include:
Federal-Mogul Dragster - Rick Santos, 5.548, 243.77, defeated Shawn Bowen, 6.394, 153.97.
Federal-Mogul Funny Car - Bob Newberry, 5.752, 249.16, defeated Frank Manzo, 5.918, 243.44.
Competition Eliminator - Dave Dupps, 8.231, 152.43, defeated Dave Northrop, 9.332, 111.53.
Super Stock - Dan Fletcher, 10.676, 118.17, defeated Jeg Coughlin, 9.288, 144.20.
Stock - Gary Emmons, 12.191, 107.82, defeated Bryan Sorce, 12.299, 99.09.
Super Comp - James Paul, 8.941, 155.65, defeated Peter Biondo, 8.923, 153.81.
Super Gas - Iggie Boicesco, 11.219, 79.12, defeated Dave Goins, broke
Super Street - Dave Merkle, 10.873, 134.46, defeated Charles Withrow, 10.871, 124.22. Results provided by the FastNews Network, courtesy of Summit Racing Equipment ** http://www.summitracing.com/ **
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