Reading: Tony Pedregon final summary

Tony Pedregon Makes Way To Semifinals
Strong Day for Quaker State Racing Team

MOHNTON, Pa. (Oct. 10, 2004) -- Tony Pedregon and the Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car drove his way to the semifinals of today's NHRA National Event at Maple Grove Raceway.

Pedregon was barely edged out at the finish by Gary Scelzi, after posting a solid 4.844-second elapsed time at 311.13 mph. Scelzi ran a slightly quicker 4.837-second pass at 315.34 mph.

"It was a very close race," Pedregon said. "I thought I had him until about the 1,200-foot mark , where we had a mechanical issue and dropped a cylinder. We definitely didn't give anything away today.

"We rebounded from tough qualifying sessions though," Pedregon added. "The car is really starting to perform well, and I have a lot of confidence in it getting down the track. It has led to my performances getting better as well. When the two things come together, that's when you start winning races."

Pedregon opened today's eliminations with a victory over brother Cruz Pedregon. In round two, Tony defeated Eric Medlen on a holeshot, clocking a (.075-.114) better reaction time and a 4.808-second elapsed time at 319.90 mph. Medlen ran a 4.798/323.81 combination.

-PedregonRacing.com