Reading: Cruz Pedregon Saturday summary

Cruz Pedregon Improves Time; Maintains Eighth All Pedregon, All of the Time in Round One Tomorrow MOHNTON, Pa. (Oct. 9, 2004) -- Cruz Pedregon led the Advance Auto Parts Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car to the eighth slot for tomorrow's Lucal Oil NHRA ...

Cruz Pedregon Improves Time; Maintains Eighth
All Pedregon, All of the Time in Round One Tomorrow

MOHNTON, Pa. (Oct. 9, 2004) -- Cruz Pedregon led the Advance Auto Parts Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car to the eighth slot for tomorrow's Lucal Oil NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Pedregon's 4.819-second elapsed time at 318.62 mph was an improvement over yesterday, setting up a round one match with brother Tony Pedregon, the defending NHRA POWERade Draq Racing Series Funny Car World Champion.

"Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw," said Pedregon, who has won eight rounds of competition over the last three races. "Both Tony and I left a little bit on the table in qualifying. We were on a great pass on that last one, but lost traction at about half track and smoked the tires.

"This field is so close," Pedregon added. "We're going to see a lot of stiff competition tomorrow. We could have as easily been in fifth or sixth with just a little improvement, that's how close they have qualified here this weekend. The good news is we are in the top half, which is good."

ADVANCE AUTO PART NOTEBOOK:

BROTHER CHALLENGE: This is only the second time this season that Cruz and Tony Pedregon have met in the first round of competition. In their first match up which happened in the opening round at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz., Tony edged Cruz at the stripe.

"It's always tough when you go up against your brother," Pedregon said. "But, we really want to get into that second round and Advance Auto Parts wouldn't expect anything less. I'd rather we not race him, and it's more awkward now than any time in the past. Our cars were essentially equal because we worked so hard in the off season at getting Tony's car up to speed.

"Our team is in a much better position now than we were back then," Pedregon added. "Tony is tough and will run right with us. And I can guarantee that the fans will enjoys tomorrow's match. I'm glad we raced each other earlier in the season though because it won't be as big of a deal. May the best team win."