Romine RT66 Friday Notes

JOLIET, ILL. (May 29, 1998) -- It took a donation to the aluminum gods, but Paul Romine and the CARQUEST Top Fuel dragster are qualified 12th after day one of the inaugural NHRA Fram Route 66 Nationals at the newly built $20 million Route 66 Raceway, located near Chicago.

Of 26 Top Fuel dragsters that attempted to qualify for 16 available positions, the CARQUEST dragster with Romine qualified during the Friday night session, kicking a rod out, but still managing a 4.739/284.27.

“It’s unfortunate that we lost an engine to get in the show, but we’ll deal with it and try to improve,” Romine said. “With 26 fuelers present, this is going to be a very tough field, possibly quicker than Indy last year (the quickest Top Fuel field in NHRA history) so if need be, we’ll tried to lower our time Saturday.”

The CARQUEST team will have the option of two final qualifying sessions Saturday afternoon to improve their qualifying position at the NHRA Fram Route 66 Nationals.