Las Vegas II: Mopar eliminations notes

Skuza Drives to Second Round

LAS VEGAS, (Oct. 28, 2001) - Dean Skuza drove the Mopar Parts Dodge R/T Nitro Funny Car to the second round of eliminations at today's ACDelco NHRA Nationals at The Strip at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Skuza lost to Al Hofmann in the second round, as a mechanical failure grappled the Mopar machine. Hofmann posted a 4.964-second elapsed time at 305.22 mph, to Skuza's 5.106-second lap at 239.95 mph.

"The blower belt broke and hurt the belly pan," Skuza said. "We had it too because I left really well and it was strong down low. If we hadn't of hurt the car, we would have won that one. I didn't see him beside me."

Skuza advanced after defeating Del Worsham in round. Skuza clocked a 4.852-second elapsed time at 315.56 mph as Worsham ran a 4.935/308.14.

Osborne Out Early

Mark Osborne and the Hemi-powered Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T fell in the first round of competition to George Marnell.

Marnell took advantage of lane choice and posted a 6.987-second elapsed time at 196.85 mph to outrun Osborne's 7.048/197.28 combination.

"That right lane was our downfall today," Osborne said. "We ran through the clutch and just couldn't get any grip out there. I don't think too many people are going to win in that lane. We're going to go back, figure out what's wrong, and see if we can't win the last race in Pomona (Calif.).

-Mopar-