Commerce: Tony Pedregon final summary

Tony Pedregon Drives to Second Round Q Racing Driver Edged Out by John Force COMMERCE, Ga. (May 16, 2005) -- After one more day of racing delayed by rainy conditions, Q Racing Nitro Funny Car driver Tony Pedregon moved his way to the second ...

Tony Pedregon Drives to Second Round
Q Racing Driver Edged Out by John Force

COMMERCE, Ga. (May 16, 2005) -- After one more day of racing delayed by rainy conditions, Q Racing Nitro Funny Car driver Tony Pedregon moved his way to the second round of eliminations during today's 25th Annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway.

Pedregon covered the quarter mile in 4.843 seconds at 318.17 mph, falling short to John Force's 4.839-second elapsed time at 322.19 mph.

"It was a very close race," said Pedregon. "We did not think Force was going to be that fast in that lane. But I am happy the car run very well and the clutch-fuel system combination is working well."

In the first round, Pedregon outran Tim Wilkerson with a 4.859-second elapsed time at 311.70 mph. Wilkerson clicked off a 10.327-second elapsed time at 81.91 mph after losing traction close to the starting line.