Championship Drag Racing

O'Reilly Mid-South
Nationals
Memphis, Tenn.
(Sept. 18-21)

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Mark Whisnant RW Performance Snap-on Tools Pro Stocker

Reports: Saturday Pre-race

Memphis, Saturday: Mark Whisnant, driver of the RW Performance / Snap-On Tools Chevrolet Cavalier, did not qualify for tomorrow 16th annual O'Reilly Mid-South nationals in Memphis, Tenn.

Whisnant came to Memphis with hopes of continuing his momentum into a qualifying spot on tomorrow race. Whisnant's best pass of the weekend came in the Friday night qualifying session. The 6.841, 201.85 mph would not be good enough to make the show.

"This weekend we had a hard time getting down the racetrack," said Whisnant of Stockbridge, Ga. "We fought tire shake all weekend, and could never get to the top end without rattling the tires.

"Tire shake was a problem for everyone this weekend, but it still doesn't make me feel any better. I am pretty disappointed. I wanted to qualify and be racing on Sunday.

"I guess all we can do now it turn our attention toward the next race in Chicago.

Memphis, pre-race: Mark Whisnant, driver of the RW Performance/Snap-On Tools Chevrolet Cavalier, is ready to race at this weekends 16th annual O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals in Memphis Tenn.

"I have watched it rain way too much in the last month," said Whisnant of Stockbridge, Ga. "Lately, it seems like all it has done is rain. It rained in Indy, and last weekend we sat and watched it rain in Reading. I do not know about anyone else, but I am ready to race."

Whisnant who is in the process of rebuilding his team for next season is optimistic about his chances of qualifying in Memphis.

"I think we have a very good chance of placing this Snap-On Tools Cavalier in the show on Sunday," he said. "Every time we take this car out we get stronger. Things are starting to come back together, and that feels good. It has given us confidence again, which is something this team has lacked since the spring.

"Although we are working toward next year we always want to qualify and do well now. My crew chief, Julius Hughes, has a lot of good ideas and enthusiasm. We have made gains since he has come on board, and I am sure we continue to move forward this weekend.

"It looks like we are getting back into a grove and building momentum. Hopefully this weekend we can use that momentum to qualify and race on Sunday."