St Louis Thursday Recap

MADISON IL - SUMMIT FastNews - Gary Scelzi led a parade of track record performances during Thursday's opening qualifying for the third annual NHRA Sears Craftsman Nationals.

Scelzi, from Fresno, Calif., set Gateway International Raceway records for elapsed time and speed in leading Top Fuel's 16-car qualifying order. Scelzi powered his Team Winston dragster to a run of 4.573 seconds at 316.75 mph.

Tim Wilkerson, Robert Patrick, Matt Hines and Brad Jeter were also qualifying leaders and record-setters in their respective pro categories at the $1.6 million race, the 11th of 22 events in the $40 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

Springfield, Ill.'s Wilkerson set both ends of the track record to lead Funny Car, running 4.992 at 303.84 in a Pontiac Firebird.

Patrick, from Fredericksburg, Va., led Pro Stock qualifying in a Ford Probe, posting a track record time of 6.968 at 197.22.

Jeter, from Greenville, S.C., paced the Pro Stock Truck order with a track record time of 7.660 at 175.52 in his Chevrolet S-10.

Hines, from Trinidad, Colo., set track records for time and speed to lead Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifying. Hines covered the distance in 7.349 at 187.65 on a Suzuki.

Pro qualifying continues Friday with sessions at 3:45 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Results provided by the FastNews Network, courtesy of Summit Racing Equipment ** http://www.summitracing.com/ **