Commerce: Reid Whisnant eliminations summary

COMMERCE, Ga. - Today at the 23rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Commerce, Ga., Mark Whisnant, driver of the RW Performance / Snap-On Tools Chevrolet Cavalier, enters today's race holding the 16th position on the Pro Stock eliminations ladder.

In the last session of qualifying the RW Performance team made a last ditch effort to get their car qualified. Whisnant drove his Cavalier to a 6.872 / 199.70 mph to reward their efforts with a 16th qualifying position.

In Round 1 Whisnant would meet the Number 1 qualifier Greg Anderson.

Whisnant knew that to get past Anderson he would have to have an almost prefect reaction time. As the lights came down the tree, Whisnant left to early, handing the win to Anderson. Anderson ran a 6.815 / 203.06 mph to a red lighting Whisnant at 8.693 / 110.65 mph.

"I knew I had to take a shot at him," said Whisnant of Stockbridge, Ga. "I knew Anderson had me covered by a lot so, there was nothing that I could do but try and be dead on the lights, and hope he messed up somewhere. It did not work out this time. We will get him next time.

"Even if we didn't make it to the winner's circle at this race, I am still please with how we did this weekend. We were not in the show coming into the last round yesterday. My crew went the extra mile to yesterday so I would be racing today. They have really come together as a team in the last couple of races and it shows. I just wish I could have gone a few more rounds today."

The next race on the 2003 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing series will be the 34th annual K&N Filters NHRA Supernationals May 15-18 in Englishtown, N.J.

Whisnant Quick Facts
Currently 13th in 2003 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Points=20
Currently 8th in 2003 King Demon Crown points=20
Finished 10th 2002 NHRA POWERade Pro Stock Points