Sonoma: Tony Bartone final summary

BARTONE GOES TO QUARTERFINALS IN SONOMA

SONOMA, CA. (July 30) -- Tony Bartone, driver of the Lucas Oil Jim Dunn-owned Chevrolet Monte Carlo Funny Car, emerged from his No. 14 qualifying position to defeat No. 3 qualified driver, Del Worsham on a hole-shot taking the win in his first round match up at the 19th annual Fram/Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway.

Bartone reacted first (.077 - .121) maintaining his pace reaching the finish line first to win by the margin of .017-thousandths of a second after running a time of 5.023 seconds, 289.07 mph to Worsham's race to the finish line of 4.996 seconds, 318.09 mph

In the quarterfinals, Bartone couldn't muster the same success from his previous round and lost to Whit Bazemore after he lost traction just as his Lucas Oil Funny Car began its march. Bazemore crossed the finish line in 4.873 seconds, 318.17 mph to Bartone's elapsed time of 7.276 seconds, 117.78 mph.

"In all candor, Jon and Jim Dunn were pumping me up a little bit prior to leaving the trailer to go for first round," said an energized Bartone. "It's always nice when you can help the team out with a hole-shot win. Not only was I excited and proud of that, it was a great racing moment. It's always fun to win and was a good weekend for the Lucas Oil Funny Car. We have a weekend off after the 'Western Swing' and I'll see everybody in Brainerd."

Now the Jim Dunn-led team moves from the wine country of California to the Northstar state of Minnesota for the Silver Anniversary running of the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway on August 11 - 13.

-lucas oil racing