Columbus: Scott Geoffrion eliminations summary

Geoffrion, Nitro Fish Team make second 2003 Final; runner-up to Anderson

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 15, 2003 - Scott Geoffrion almost accomplished his goals Sunday at National Trail Raceway.

He wanted to put Hurley Blakeney's Ford Escort ZX2 in the Pontiac Excitement Nationals winner's circle on the same weekend Ford was celebrating its 100th year in Dearborn, Mich. But Greg Anderson prevented it by stopping Geoffrion in the title round.

Anderson, with a nearly-perfect .003 reaction time (.000 is perfect), won with a 6.883-second time at 199.88 mph to Geoffrion's 6.911 at 198.70.

It was another good showing from the Nitro Fish-sponsored team. Geoffrion was in the finals for the second time in nine races since the ZX2 made its competitive debut in March. He was runner-up at Houston in April.

"Saturday we made a shock change and it was unbelievable the difference it made," said Geoffrion, who qualified second for the second straight race, this time at 6.883, 200.29 mph. Anderson, the Pro Stock point leader, was the low qualifier.

Crew chief Eric Luzinski and car builder Don Ness continued making tuning changes to Geoffrion's car Sunday, adapting to the changing conditions as Geoffrion defeated Steve Schmidt, Ron Krisher and Terry Adams before facing Anderson.

"We were lucky to get out of the first round because we spun the tires and slid around the track from third gear until the finish line," added Geoffrion, who moved into third place in points with 509. "Eric and Ness tuned on it and we had low elapsed time of the second round (6.886 seconds)."

The San Clemente, Calif., driver now has been to 36 final rounds in his Pro Stock career and has nine wins.

The Nitro Fish team continues its quest for a race win at the Sears Craftsman Nationals, June 27-29, at St. Louis.

Pro Winners: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; Tony Pedregon, Funny Car; Greg Anderson, Pro Stock

Pro Stock Top 10: 1, Greg Anderson, 1006; 2, Kurt Johnson, 942; 3, Warren Johnson, 721; 4, Jeg Coughlin Jr., 663; 5, Scott Geoffrion, 509; 6, Ron Krisher, 457; 7, Allen Johnson, 454; 9, Mike Edwards, 453; 10, Darrell Alderman, 433; 11, Terry Adams, 397; 12, Jim Yates, 388