Pomona: Team Koretsky Thursday notes

POMONA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2001) - Rickie Smith topped Team Koretsky's effort in opening the 2001 NHRA Winston Drag Racing season during first-round qualifying for the AutoZone Winternationals at Pomona Raceway.

Smith, who will be campaigning for Team Mopar in the future, drove his Chavrolet Camaro Pro Stock entry to a 6.893-second pass at 200.38 mph outing. Despite a slow start, the King, N.C. resident picked up the pace on the back half.

"We were a little soft on the starting line," Smith said. "I think we could have run a 6.87 with a little luck. We just wanted to get a solid lap in though. We definitely did that."

Smith's teammate and team owner Kenny Koretsky failed to make the cut. The veteran campaigner logged a 6.918-second lap at 194.27 mph, collecting the 18th slot.

"I shut it off a little early," Koretsky said. "The sun was in my eyes, so it was a little hard to see. I know I could have run a 6.89 however."

-David Harris

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