Indianapolis: Tom Hammonds Friday summary

Hammonds opens strong in Indy, places 8th after first day.

Due to the unique qualifying schedule at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, the professional classes made only onequalifying attempt on Friday. However, this solitary pass took on added significance for the naturally-aspirated Pro Stock Cars, as it represented one of two evening qualifying sessions at this event, where cooler temperatures would provide better conditions for the "factory hot rods" to post a quick time.

Tom Hammonds and the Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier team took full advantage of the opportunity, posting a solid 6.871-second elapsed time, with a top speed of 199.32 mph, good enough for eighth heading into Saturday's second day of qualifying. For the Hammonds crew, this competitive opening effort was a welcome reward for the long hours put in since the last stop on the NHRA POWERade circuit.

"We knew that if we could get down the racetrack, we would be fast. We had been struggling with the car at recent events, so we spent what proved to be some very valuable time with Jerry Bickel (builder of Hammonds' Pro Stock Cavalier), going over our race car from head to toe, and I think you saw some of the results of that work today.

"Although it was certainly a solid run, we know we can improve on it. However, the most important part is that it gave this crew a well-needed boost of confidence. I'm excited, because if we're able to get our Winnebago/GM Vehicle Care Cavalier to run the back half of the track as well as it did the front half, we could really do something."

-thr-