Championship Drag Racing

O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals
Memphis, Tenn.
(Aug. 20-22)

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Ken Koretsky Nitro Fish Wear Pro Stocker

Reports: Sunday Saturday Pre-race

Memphis, Sunday: Ken Koretsky and crew chief Ed Guarnaccia both were disappointed with Koretsky's first-round setback to Jason Line Sunday in the O'Reilly's Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.

They fought mechanical problems in the Nitro Fish Wear Dodge Stratus, ones that slowed him to 6.810 seconds at 201.79 mph in qualifying and he started 11th after being as high as fourth place. He also lost ground to Rickie Smith in the battle for 10th place in the POWERade standings.

Shock absorbers proved to be the most difficult trouble to solve. Plans are to take the car to builder Jerry Haas' shop for a check-up prior to the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Koretsky has 615 points and Smith 640 with six races remaining this season.

Crew member Denver Black was whacked near his right eye by a small bolt propelled from the tires of the car doing a burn out in front of Koretsky during Friday qualifying. It took three stitches to close the wound, but Black was back at the track Saturday, feeling okay despite a black eye.

"It was a tough weekend," Koretsky said. "We had a shock problem all weekend. We should be ready to go when we get to Indy. We need to catch Rickie."

Crew chief Guarnaccia aggress. "It was a disappointing weekend for us because we went from fourth to 11th in qualifying by not making a good run Saturday," he said. "The tires spun in first gear against Line. We plan to rewire the car when it's at Haas' to take care of the shock problem."

Memphis, Saturday: Kenny Koretsky was surprised when his Nitro Fish Wear Dodge slipped from fourth to 11th in Saturday's final qualifying session for Sunday's Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.

"Eddie (Guarnaccia, crew chief) made some changes for that last run and the car didn't respond," said Koretsky, who faces Jason Line in the opening round. The NFW Dodge's best run was 6.810 seconds at 201.19 mph. Line's was 6.799 at 201.37.

"We'll just go back to our basic tune-up," said Guarnaccia. "The car spun the tires in low gear. The track was hard to figure out at about 200 feet. When you try something, you never think you're going to drop from fourth to 11th place."

Memphis, pre-race: In homage of the home of Elvis Presley, Kenny Koretsky says he felt like he was in the "Heartbreak Hotel" Sunday at Brainerd, Minn.

Koretsky and his Nitro Fish Wear Dodge Stratus have been diligently pursuing a position in the POWERade Series Pro Stock top 10. He appeared on his way when a mechanical malfunction dashed his opportunity in the opening round. He was eight points out of 10th place at the time.

The driver from Richboro, Pa., is a mere four points behind Rickie Smith and gets another opportunity in the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park, Friday through Sunday.

"There are seven races to go (in the 23-race schedule) and we have a lot of rounds of racing left," said Koretsky. "It was really disappointing, but we continue to run well and we know this was just a freak thing."

Two rocker arms in the Larry Morgan-built engine broke in Koretsky's race against Kurt Johnson.

"I left the line first (.043 to .051 seconds) and when I shifted into third gear it sounded like the ignition went sour. I didn't want to hurt the engine so I shut if off immediately," recalled Koretsky, who had qualified fourth overall (6.756 seconds). "It was a great weekend until then."

"You don't usually break two rocker arms in a motor," said Morgan. "It was a freak thing."

Morgan took the engine to his Newark, Ohio, shop for repairs and they don't expect anything like that to happen this weekend.

"We are anxious to get to Memphis," said Koretsky. "We are hoping to take care of business so we can leave there in the top 10. Fortunately for us, Rickie also lost in the first round at Brainerd so we're just four points behind (558-584).

"I'm proud of the way Eddie (Guarnaccia, crew chief) and the crew are preparing the car," he added. "We have qualified in the top half of the (16-car) field in nine of the last 12 races."

Koretsky has run his quickest time (6.723 seconds) and speed (204.42 mph) in the last three races.