Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis, Ind.
(Sept. 1-6)
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Tony Pedregon Quaker State Funny Car |
Reports: Monday Sunday Saturday Friday Pre-race |
Indianapolis, Monday: Tony Pedregon maneuvered the Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car to the quarterfinals of today's 50th anniversary U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Pedregon was eked out in the second round, as Tim Wilkerson clocked a 4.896-second elapsed time at 312.50 mph. Pedregon drove to a slower 5.015-second elapsed time at 272.56 mph. The California resident moved into the second round when he defeated Jeff Arend in the opener with a 4.942-second elapsed time at 303.23 mph.
"We got off to a good start this weekend with our qualifying," said Pedregon, who grabbed the third slot. "We are having to spin the superchargers faster because of the 85-percent rule change. So, the superchargers go away faster, and unless you have a dyno here in the pits, it's hard to know when one is ready to take a dive.
"It's a big race and there's a lot a stake," Pedregon continued. "We're going to tune it around. I think we made some progress in that we were able to adapt to the heat. We were able to get down the track this weekend as well, and it's a challenge to do that when it's hot. We were able to adapt to the changes this weekend, and we had as much heat and humidity as we've had anywhere else. We were able to deal with it and that's the encouraging part. I think that's going to be positive for us at the next race. Quaker State is still in the game.
Indianapolis, Sunday: Tony Pedregon is downright giddy following today's Skoal Showdown and final two rounds of qualifying for this weekend's 50th Anniversary U.S. Nationals at historic Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Despite running into a strong John Force in the semifinals of today's Skoal Showdown, Pedregon wrapped up the third-qualifying slot with a 4.822-second elapsed time at 315.64 mph, logged during last night's final night session. Pedregon advanced to the semifinals of the Showdown by defeating a tire-smoking Gary Scelzi in the opening round - clicking off a 5.152-second elapsed time at 284.21 mph.
Pedregon also recorded two solid qualifying efforts today, setting up a first round match with Jeff Arend. Even though he didn't improve on last night's mark, the reigning POWERade Funny Car World Champion is quite satisfied thus far.
"We've learned a lot this weekend," Pedregon said. "When you race John in the semis, it's always tough. It's tough to qualify when you're trying to win a big money event.
"We've reevaluated our strategy and ran a 4.87 in the heat," Pedregon added. "We're doing things that we think will be better short term and long term. I think that final run really set the stage for tomorrow.
Pedregon detailed his fifth and final pass of the weekend.
A cloud came over on that last run, but there was still some temperature in the track." Pedregon said. "The challenge for this team has been adapting to the hotter climate, and that's something that's been our key focus in the last couple of races. I believe we've made some real progress here, especially in the last two days. We've probably made more progress here this weekend than we've made in the last six months. That's very encouraging for us and it's happening at the right time - at the biggest race.
Pedregon cracked off a top-eight qualifier for the fourth-straight race.
The U.S. Nationals is the biggest drag race of the year, and the overflow crowds have provided a little extra energy to the weekend. With all the pomp and circumstance, one might think that it would put a little added pressure on the drivers. Pedregon relayed what's at stake.
"We raise the bar a little bit here this weekend," Pedregon said. "I've been eating my Wheaties, so I know I'm ready to go. It's been a good opportunity for us to finish strongly to end the season. Quaker State doesn't fail us and we want to deliver one for this weekend."
Indianapolis, Saturday: Tony Pedregon and the Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car blistered the Indianapolis Raceway Park quarter mile during tonight's third session of qualifying for this weekend's 50th annual U.S. Nationals.
Pedregon moved through the second night session of the weekend with a 4.823-second elapsed time at 315.64 mph. It was a pass that buoyed the team.
"It was a pretty good run," Pedregon noted. "We were a little conservative because we wanted to get into the show. We know this car has quite a bit left in it, but since this was the final night session of the weekend, and the conditions were pretty good, we couldn't afford not to really gamble. We're moving in the right direction and I'm really excited about the next two days."
Pedregon has a busy day tomorrow, lining up against Gary Scelzi in the first round of the $100,000 to win Skoal Showdown.
"I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's Showdown," said Pedregon, who will have lane choice in round one. "Gary is a hard one, especially in the first round. I love this race because it's such a financial gain for the team that wins."
Indianapolis, Friday: Tony Pedregon and the Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo Nitro Funny Car wrapped up the first day of qualifying for this weekend's 50th anniversary Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
Pedregon maneuvered his way to a 5.060-second elapsed time at 271.90 mph. He will be gunning for a fourth-straight, top-eight effort when qualifying resumes tomorrow. Today's single session marked the first of an unusual five sessions of qualifying, unique to the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.
"There was a little more humidity out there than we thought," Pedregon said. "It appeared, within the first 400 feet, that there wasn't anyone that ran quicker. We have a new body and it just wore a lot of clutch.
"I think one of the challenges was that it was a little dark out there. There was so much clutch dust that I couldn't see that well. It's hard enough to keep these cars in the center of the track. As much power as it was making, it drifted over to the right and that put it right over the edge. We have a couple more passes tomorrow and another evening run under decent conditions. No glitches at all. The car responded early and that's important. If you get the car to run well in the first part, we know what it will do in the second half."
Indianapolis, pre-race: Quaker State Racing Monte Carlo Funny Car driver Tony Pedregon will be trying to repeat as Skoal Shootout champion Sunday at Indianapolis Raceway Park. It's only one of the goals Pedregon is seeking as the 50th anniversary Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park gets underway this weekend.
Pedregon will be making his eighth-straight appearance in the Shootout, which he dominated last year by screaming past former car owner John Force in the final. As for the money, the winner receives a cool $100,000.
"This event means a lot to this race team, especially on the financial side," said Pedregon, who recorded a 4.947-second elapsed time in that Shootout final. "It's a very prestigious race. Budweiser had hosted this race for a number of years, now Skoal has taken it over. This race hasn't lost its luster a bit. If anything because its Skoal's inaugural event, it may mean a little more.
"It says a lot about our team to maintain this position. We had some low qualifiers and this event is all about performance. This event sure goes a long way for a race team. We're one of the top eight Funny Cars on the circuit, along with a couple Schumacher cars and three Force cars. We have some big dogs in this field. I think we earned our spot and I think we're as capable as any of these other teams to win this thing."
Pedregon and his Quaker State Racing team's recent performances have given them confidence. He feels the team is putting together the right of the puzzle.
"We're going into the biggest race weekend of the year," Pedregon said. "And we're headed in the right direction. We had a good test at Indy and learned some things during our weekend match race in Cordova (Ill.). We're by no means content, but we know we have all the pieces in place to go out and win a race. And this would be the biggest one to win."
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