Indy ORP: Justin Humphreys Sunday notes

Knoll-Gas Energy Pontiac Runs 6.669 Seconds

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 2, 2007 -- Justin Humphreys picked Sunday's first Mac Tools U.S. Nationals qualifying round to uncorked his best run of the weekend and grab the No. 6 starting berth for Monday's race at O'Reilly Raceway Park.

The first-year Pro Stock driver stopped the clock in 6.669 seconds at 206.67 mph to clinch the berth in the top half of the 16-car field. He also gets lane choice for his first-round match against Richie Stevens (No. 11, 6.680 at 205.79).

"That was a great run," said Humphreys, of Monrovia, Md. "We came to our first U.S. Nationals and not only qualified, we qualified in the top half of the field." He was 13th before his impressive run.

The performance followed a very good test session earlier in the week, pleasing crew chief Eric Luzinski, engine builder Richard Maskin and Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden, the team consultant.

Although he shut off early in his final run due to an aggressive tune-up, Humphreys said, "we were testing for Monday's eliminations and they wanted to see what they could get away with. We'll be ready to go Monday."

-credit: dsr