Joliet II: Mopar eliminations summary

JOLIET, Ill.-- Mopar Motorsports NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series teams completed eliminations for this weekend's Craftsman 75th Anniversary NHRA Nationals.

The following is a set of quotes from today's activities.

GENE WILSON, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T

No. 1 qualifier Gene Wilson lost to Kurt Johnson in the second round. The Mopar backed Pro Stock rookie ran a slower 6.886-second elapsed time at 200.50 mph; as Johnson cruised through the timing lights with a 6.877/200.98 combination.

"We spun the tires it shook pretty hard too," Wilson said."He also got me on the tree; so it was a tough day all around. We're happy with what we ran this weekend in qualifying, we just need to put a whole weekend together."

Wilson advanced to the second round with a 6.872-second lap at 200.14 mph over Mark Osborne.

DEAN SKUZA, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T

Tire smoke ended Dean Skuza's day early. The Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus R/T Nitro Funny Car fell in the first round of eliminations to Bob Gilbertson; who turned out a 4.897-second lap at 310.84 mph.

"We might have a gremlin somewhere," Skuza said."The car went out and didn't go any where. It's frustrating because we know we have a good car. We'll be better in Dallas."

GREG STANFIELD, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T

Greg Stanfield, driver of the Hemi-powered DBP Motorsports Dodge Neon R/T, grabbed a holeshot advantage on Tom Hammonds in their first round match up. But Stanfield lost grip and the race as. Hammond's posted a 6.865-second lap at 200.23 mph; as Stanfield logged a slower 6.905-second pass at 200.26 mph.

"We shook real bad," Stanfield said."It was bad too. We missed the set up by about a mile. The confusing thing is the we had the exact set up in it that we had yesterday. We just need a lot more race day experience. We had a good weekend qualifying, but we need to improve on race day."

-mopar motorsports-