Pomona: Martino opens with solid run

Tom Martino opened his 2001 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season with a solid run on his first qualifying attempt at the 41st annual AutoZone Winternationals. Running in the right lane, Martino powered down the Pomona quarter-mile in 6.906 seconds, with a top speed of 200.29 mph. This placed the Century 21 Pro Stock Grand Am 11th among the thirty "factory hot rods" that made an attempt. Although happy with his initial performance, Martino remained focused on improving his time and solidifying his position in the field.

"Naturally, if you're not No. 1, you want to go faster, but for a first attempt, we're pretty pleased. We're still working with our new Century 21 Grand Am, trying to see exactly what it wants. With every run we make, we get better. We'll take the information from today's pass and adjust it for tomorrow, when conditions should be about the same, trying to get ourselves closer to the front."

-Jon Knapp