RACE: Valvoline Runoffs: Goodyear final qualifying report

Huffaker, 12 others take Runoffs poles on Goodyear Tires

MANSFIELD, Ohio (Sept. 19, 2003) -- Drivers in 24 classes will begin racing for Sports Car Club of America's national championships today in the Valvoline Runoffs at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and the pole sitters in 13 classes race on Goodyear tires.

The Runoffs begin Friday (Sept. 19) and continue through Sunday, running eight championships races each day.

Goodyear has dominated the event in recent years, winning 26 times in the last two years. Among the Goodyear pole sitters this year is eight-time national champ Joe Huffaker, who starts first in GT5.

This year's GT5 pole means Huffaker has started on the pole 11 times in his Runoffs career, second best on the all-time list. He trails only Jerry Hansen, the Runoffs legend, who started up front 25 times. Huffaker, the Petaluma, Calif. resident, is the three-time defending champion in GT5 and has five titles in F Production. This year, the top three qualifiers in GT5 all race on Goodyear tires.

Goodyear-equipped cars start at the front of four GT classes, as Huffaker, Keith Grant (GT 4), Collin Jackson (GT3) and David Finch (GT2) are pole sitters.

Drivers using Goodyear tires will start at the front of two formula classes. Mike Anderson (Formula Continental) and Doug Peterson (Formula Mazda) are the Goodyear-equipped formula car qualifying stars.

In the production classes, Robert Weber took the pole in H Production, as did Kevin Davis (in G Production) and Jon Brakke (E Production). All three race on Goodyears.

Monte Cowles won the A Sedan pole on Goodyears. John Heinricy, who is bidding for his third straight victory in Touring 1, starts on the pole of that class on Goodyear tires.

Steve Johnson's Goodyear-equipped car starts at the front of the Sport 2000 field and Mark Jaremko will lead the field to the start of the D Sport Racer class on Goodyears.

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