Denver: Justin Humphreys Saturday notes

NHRA Pro Stock Rookie Earns Best Starting Spot of Season

DENVER, July 14, 2007 -- Let it be noted that Justin Humphreys earned his first top eight qualifying position in the oxygen deprived air of this mile-high city Saturday with his superb, for here, run of 7.068 seconds at 194.72 mph. That has him starting eighth in the Mopar Mile-High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway.

Humphreys had to sweat a little bit during Saturday's final qualifying session when dark clouds lowered temperatures and improved conditions. But the only thing that happened was his first-round opponent changed from Jason Line to his teammate, Greg Anderson. Anderson moved to ninth with a run of 7.075 seconds, 194.94 mph.

"As long as we stay in the top eight and get lane choice, that's good," said Humphreys, driver of the Knoll-Gas Energy Pontiac GTO.

Crew chief Eric Luzinski also was pleased to make the top eight. "Everything is coming together," he said. "I am glad we came here and tested a couple months ago. I think it made a difference."

Humphreys will be looking for another semifinal finish or better Sunday. He was a semifinalist last week at Bristol, Tenn. He made it to the semis at St. Louis in May.

-credit: dsr