Revell Nationals: Top Fuel Notes & Quotes Sunday, October 25, 1998

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Top Fuel Notes & Quotes
Sunday, October 25, 1998
This page will be updated throughout the evening

Mike Dunn (Mopar Top Fueler) lost to Gary Scelzi in the final round:
"Another great weekend for the Team Mopar Top Fuel dragster. Even though we only had one solid qualifying run, this team really put it all together on Sunday. Ken (Veney-crew chief) and the crew worked their tails off to put us in a position to win a race.

Our run against Gary (Scelzi) in the finals was one that was certainly a race we could have won. The motor seemed to be a little weak and it (dragster) just went out and shook the tires loose, than blazed them pretty hard. We gave it our best shot but just came up a bit short. This team continues to improve and this weekend is a testament to our consistency."

Cory McClenathan (McDonalds/Pontiac), lost in round two:
"If Scelzi goes on to win this race, it's going to be awful tough to catch him. We have to remain optimistic, realize that anything is possible and remember that we still have eight rounds to go after this event is over. Maybe he'll go out first round at one of these races, we'll win it and we'll be right back where we were. We've been here before, it's one of those situations nobody likes to see, but that's drag racing. We tuned it up from the first round where I pedaled it and it ran 4.70. It then ran 4.69, so it has a problem that we can't put our finger on yet, but the McDonald's/Pontiac was weaker than it was yesterday and the day before. It's probably something small, we just haven't found it yet."

Kenny Bernstein (Budweiser King dragster), lost in first round:
"We're obviously disappointed with the results of the first round, especially after running good all weekend. We lost traction and shook the tires. We're real disappointed for our fans in the Dallas area cause this where we're from and grew up. That's racing, that's the way it works and we'll just on down to Houston and try to do better."

Bernstein's first three qualifying attempts were : 4.586, 4.585, and 4.564 seconds. He made his eighth 320-plus run in qualifying, more than any other driver. Joe Amato has six, Cory McClenathan and John Force five, and Gary Scelzi four.

Eddie Hill (Pennzoil Dragster), lost in round two to Gary Scelzi:
The best Top Fuel dragster driver in the world needed the fastest pass of the entire record-breaking weekend to displace hometown favorite Eddie Hill in the quarterfinal round of the 13th annual Revell Nationals at the Texas Motorplex.

Reigning Winston points champion and current No. 1 points earner Gary Scelzi reached a top speed of 320.74 mph in covering the quarter-mile in 4.577 seconds. Hill, the pilot of the Pennzoil Top Fuel dragster, took the loss despite running the 451st four-second pass of his Hall-of-Fame career - a 4.656-second lap at 310.13 mph.

"We made him earn it," Hill said. "It's hard to be upset when you run a 4.65 in the second round. [Scelzi crew chief] Alan Johnson just showed everyone why the No. 1 is on his car. They blew a motor in the first round and then ran a 4.57 against us an hour and a half later. That's tough to handle.

"Were pleased to have qualified in the top half [eighth place] of the quickest Top Fuel field in the history of drag racing. But we should have qualified higher up and then we wouldn't have had to face Scelzi in Round 2. This weekend should still be considered a great success for us. We put together a nice string of 4.6-second laps and the car appears to be as fast and consistent as it's been all year."

Hill has won nine elimination rounds in 1998 and is in 11th place in the Winston points standings.

Bruce Sarver (ATSCO/Burris dragster), lost in round one to Gary Scelzi:
After a very fast two days of qualifying was over, Sarver and team ended up 12th at 4.655 and 308.43 mph out of 20 entries, making the fastest qualifying field of Top Fuel ever.

Sarver paired up against Cory McClenathan in round one, but as the two were waiting to start, Cristen Powell, racing Doug Kalitta, oiled down the track in the left lane. McClenathan, not wanting to take a chance and having lane choice decided to switch, putting Sarver in the oiled down lane. Sarver proceeded to smoke the tires handing the victory to McClenathan. Sarver was philosophical.

"You just never know. The NHRA Safety Safari does an outstanding job preparing the track. Sometimes after an incident, the track is even better than before. That s drag racing and part of the strategy that goes with it. If I were in Cory s position, I would have done the same thing!"

The Sarver Top Fuel team will be hard at work after the conclusion of the Revell Nationals at the Texas Motorplex. The team plans on a one-day test before leaving for Houston.

"We are serious about a strong finish to the season as well as continuing to improve our database," commented Bruce Sarver. "We aren't at all satisfied with our performance and will continue on our course of improvement. This team never stops! Ted (Fasching) and the guys are absolutely awesome. I can't say enough about how dedicated everyone on this team is. We love what we do and can't wait for the next race at Houston."

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