Reading: Frank Hawley Friday notes

Hawley, Rite Aid Pharmacy Dodge Second at Reading
Quick run of 4.128 seconds unexpected

READING, Pa., August 15, 2008 -- Frank Hawley, making his first driving appearance since June, didn't know what to expect when qualifying began Friday for Sunday's Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

He definitely didn't expect the new Rite Aid Pharmacies Dodge Charger to be No. 2 when the day's qualifying was done. But his stellar 1,000-foot lap of 4.128 seconds at 302.41 mph held up for second after all the Funny Cars completed their runs.

"The crew did a great job," praised Hawley. "I know this team is capable of it. They haven't been to a race in two months and they come back and do this. They are good at what they do. The car runs well each time out."

What crew chief Aaron Brooks did was get two excellent runs, including an opening time of 4.167 seconds that put Hawley fourth. They have two more attempts Saturday to prepare for Sunday's eliminations.

-credit: gcr