Lunken Runway Enduro qualifying report

CINCINNATI, Ohio (August 18, 2001) Native Buckeye Warren Stilwell, of Hartville, Ohio, earned the pole in the final qualifying session for tomorrow's Round Eight SCCA Pro Racing Pro Spec Racer race at Cincinnati's Municipal Lunken Airport- the first race ever organized on the historic runways of the airport.

John Black, of Tahoe City, Calif., and Chris Funk, of Kansas City, Mo., will start second and third, respectively.

Stilwell, driving the No. 28 Stilwell Racing Spec Racer, paced the 24-car qualifying field with a fast lap of 1:29.748 (91.456 mph). The pole is Stilwell's third of the season and the 31st of his spectacular Pro Spec Racer career.

"I turned my fastest lap when I was following [John] Black," said Stilwell. "I actually thought my fastest lap was one of the worst laps of the day for me. When I was following him [Black] I felt I missed a lot corners, but I guess it got the job done today."

Competing at a new venue and the first-ever airport race should pose some new challenges for the four-time and defending Pro Spec Racer series champion.

"The track configuration is tricky," said Stilwell. "With the long straightaways, I think the draft will dictate what type of racing we will have out there tomorrow. I prefer to drive my by myself, where it's you against the track. But if the drafting situation plays out like I expect, the cars will be forced to run together."

James Goughary Jr., pilot of the No. 29 Dusksmart.com/Red Line Oil Spec Racer, will start fourth, followed by Neil Tilbor in his No. 8 Taiyo Edge R/C sponsored machine. Goughary Jr. sits third in the Championship point standings, with 67, and needs a dominant performance this weekend to gain ground on Keith Scharf and Stilwell with only two races -Daytona International Speedway and Lime Rock Park - remaining in the season.

Stilwell will once again look to overtake current point leader Keith Scharf. Scharf, No. 82 Tech Hyper-V Spec Racer, leads 104 to 84 over Stilwell in the standings and will start tomorrow's race from the sixth position.

--SCCA/SCCA ProRacing-