Cincinnati: Jeff Wilson wrap up

Mystery problem leads to early round exit for Wilson.

CLEVES, Ohio - It can be very hard to fix a problem when you can't put a finger on the root of the problem. Such was the case for NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Jeff Wilson during this past weekend's Division 3 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Edgewater Sports Park just outside of Cincinnati. There Wilson and the Associated Builders & Contractors/Starcon team had a tough time negotiating the tricky surface, and have yet to find the culprit.

Wilson, from Winfield, Mo., qualified the ABC/Starcon dragster fourth in the field with a 5.793 second elapsed time at 245.96 mph. In round one, Wilson took a sizable holeshot over his opponent Gary Ward, but started smoking the tires down track. Ward was able to drive around Wilson and take the win.

"We really haven't had a chance to figure out what went wrong," said Wilson. "We had the motor less hopped up than we normally do, and it was going out there and acting like it was more aggressive. They added some extra concrete to the starting line pad, but it was real rough, and made for a transition bump right about where we shift. We really haven't had a chance to thoroughly analyze the data, but I'm sure we'll get it figured out for the next race in Bowling Green."

"It's just part of the learning curve when you try new things," Wilson added. "We feel that once we get the new technology we are working on lined out, the benefit will offset the loss."

The next event for the ABC/Starcon team will be the next Division 3 LODRS race at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky., Aug. 23-25.

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