Pomona 2: Mopar elimination notes

POMONA, Calif. (July 7, 2001) - An early exit put a damper on the great qualifying efforts of Mark Osborne and Darrell Alderman during today's Pep Boys 50th Anniversary NHRA Nationals at Pomona Raceway.

Osborne, driver of the Mopar Parts Dodge R/T, lost to Ron Krisher in round one. Krisher took a decided starting-line advantage and drove to a 6.988-second elapsed time at 199.29 mph as Osborne slowed to a 7.095-second lap at 188.54 mph.

"That sure wasn't what we wanted," Osborne noted. "It was a real tough day for all the guys. They have worked so hard this weekend and we had a great qualifying effort. We'll get thing together when we get the new Pro Stock Neon's in Denver."

Three-time Winston Pro Stock World Champion Alderman also fell in the first round of competition. Jeg Coughlin, Jr. took a holeshot advantage at the start and ran a 7.039-second elapsed time at 198.44 mph. Alderman clicked off a 7.037-second pass at 197.88 mph.

"The car spun the tires a little bit," Alderman said. "We thought that we looked pretty good heading into today. We finally figured out the cars and qualified in the top half. It just didn't happen the way we wanted."

Skuza Smokes Tires

Dean Skuza and the Mopar Parts Dodge R/T Nitro Funny Car smoked the tires and lost in his round one match up with Del Worsham. The hot-and-sticky track conditions didn't play into Skuza's favor.

"We just smoked the tires and game over," Skuza noted. "The track wasn't in great shape and we missed on the set up. We'll need to step things up in Denver."

Morgan Fall in Round One

Slick starting-line conditions cost Dodge Motorsports R/T Pro Stock driver Larry Morgan in round one of competition. Kurt Johnson ran a solid 6.976-second elapsed time at 198.95 mph, outrunning Morgan's 7.095/195.28 effort.

"The starting line was bald in the right lane," said Morgan, who failed to hold lane choice. "We struggled all weekend and I'm glad we had a chance to run today. I can't wait to get my new Pro Stock Neon."

-Mopar

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