O’Reilly Fall Nationals TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

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Top Alcohol Funny Car

Friday

Saturday

Sunday
Friday

Results for Qualifying Round 1
ENNIS, Texas - DALLAS - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run:
      Left Lane: Bob Newberry     Runs 5.716/251.25, Now #2
     Right Lane: Von Smith        Runs 5.644/254.95, Now #1
11:44 AM The temp is 62 degrees, 76 percent humidity, the barometer is at 30.16 and the track temp is 83 degrees.

Smith is the division two champ for 2002 by just six points over Jay Payne. He makes a pretty good looking run here and sets the early mark. Newberry was bouncing around a little right off the line but still makes a good pass.
      Left Lane: John Patton      Runs 5.847/248.41, Now #3
     Right Lane: Steve Griboski   Runs 6.006/237.09, Now #4
Patton comes off the line,starts shaking the tires and gets out of the groove. He moves around until about half-track and finally gets it straightened out.
      Left Lane: Steve Harker     Runs 12.012/67.61, Now #6
     Right Lane: Jimmy Jones      Runs 5.986/241.80, Now #4
Harker comes off the line, shakes the tires hard and has to abort the run. Jones made a good pass, right down the groove.
      Left Lane: Dennis Taylor    Runs 9.043/86.46, Now #7
     Right Lane: Kirk Williams    Runs 5.768/251.25, Now #3
Taylor gets about sixty feet out, shakes the tires hard and has to shut down. Williams shakes a little right off the line but drives through it for a good run.
      Left Lane: Marc White       Runs 5.749/249.58, Now #3
     Right Lane: Todd Simpson     Runs 5.872/243.04, Now #6
A couple of good looking runs, both right down the groove.
      Left Lane: Mert Littlefield Runs 5.860/235.41, Now #6
     Right Lane: Jay Payne        Runs 8.910/100.32, Now #10
Payne shook the tires, skated out of the groove, headed for the wall and he shuts down. Littlefield makes a decent pass and is the top half of the field for now.
      Left Lane: Vern Moats       Runs 5.824/233.58, Now #6
     Right Lane: Tate Branch      Runs 5.776/246.64, Now #5
Branch was skating around all over the track, never lifts and makes a decent pass. Moats went right down the groove and falls in right behind in the sixth spot.
      Left Lane: Jason Rupert     Runs 6.028/244.83, Now #12
     Right Lane: Cy Chesterman    No Time, Now #16
Chesterman hits the throttle, gets about ten feet out and the engine goes silent. Rupert got about 100 feet out and started shaking the tires. He pedals once and goes on through for a decent pass.
      Left Lane: Bob Alberty      Runs 6.638/230.59, Now #14
     Right Lane: Thomas Frickenschmidt     Runs 6.165/228.94, Now #13
Alberty never stopped rolling when he staged. He gets about sixty feet out, starts shaking the tires and moving around.
      Left Lane: Jackie Stidham   Runs 5.800/246.91, Now #6
     Right Lane: Bernie HarringtonRuns 6.041/225.11, Now #14
Stidham shook the tires early and starting bouncing around. He gets it under control and is in the top half of the field for now. Harrington got out of the groove around half-track and moved around the rest of the run.
      Left Lane: Steve GasparrelliRuns 5.671/254.02, Now #2
Gasparrelli shakes the tires early, drives through it and makes a decent pass to get in the two spot for now.
      Left Lane: Kebin Kinsley    Runs 6.049/231.48, Now #16
Kinsley was on a decent pass until half-track, he gets out of the groove and veers toward the wall. It looked like he put a couple of holes out at that point and he leaves an oil deposit on the track.

That ends the first session with Smith on the pole and Kinsley on the bump with a 6.049.
       
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Friday

Order for Qualifying Round 1
ENNIS, Texas - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:
 Psn   Driver                Vehicle                       ET    Speed
   1. Von Smith            Jensen Audio Firebird          5.644  254.95
   2. Steve Gasparrelli    Prisms Unlimited Firebird      5.671  254.02
   3. Bob Newberry         Hussey/Valvoline Camaro        5.716  251.25
   4. Marc White           Etterman Racing Firebird       5.749  249.58
   5. Kirk Williams        Williams Bros. Firebird        5.768  251.25
   6. Tate Branch          Rapid Temp Avenger             5.776  246.64
   7. Jackie Stidham       Stidham Bros Time Machine Cam  5.800  246.91
   8. Vern Moats           Kendall/SuperWinch Firebird    5.824  233.58
   9. John Patton          Foolish Money II Trans Am      5.847  248.41
  10. Mert Littlefield     Hussey Copper Camaro           5.860  235.41
  11. Todd Simpson         Bright Transport. Avenger      5.872  243.04
  12. Jimmy Jones          Texas Tremor Camaro            5.986  241.80
  13. Steve Griboski       Mile-Hi Express Camaro         6.006  237.09
  14. Jason Rupert         Lucas Oil Camaro               6.028  244.83
  15. Bernie Harrington    Harrington M'Sports Avenger    6.041  225.11
  16. Kebin Kinsley        Achieva                        6.049  231.48
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Thomas Frickenschmid Sara Lee Firebird              6.165  228.94
  18. Bob Alberty          Firebird                       6.638  230.59
  19. Jay Payne            Valvoline Camaro               8.910  100.32
  20. Dennis Taylor        Cooner Wire Camaro             9.043   86.46
  21. Steve Harker         Harker Racing Avenger         12.012   67.61

       
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Friday

Results for Qualifying Round 2
ENNIS, Texas - DALLAS - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:
      Left Lane: Steve Burck      Runs 6.588/185.72, Now #18
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Mert Littlefield Runs 5.767/243.83, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 5.860/235.41, Was #10
4:59 PM Good looking run for Littlefield. He improves from his earlier run and moves up five spots to fifth. Burck went right down the groove but doesn't get in the show.
      Left Lane: Kirk Williams    Runs 5.967/246.10, Now #6
                                  Best prior run: 5.768/251.25, Was #6
     Right Lane: Dennis Taylor    Runs 11.367/70.46, Now #21
                                  Best prior run: 9.043/86.46, Was #21
Taylor gets about 100 feet out, starts shaking the tires and shuts down. Williams starts shaking the tires about 100 feet out, pedals once and goes on through for a decent run.
      Left Lane: Thomas Frickenschmidt
                                  Runs 6.172/231.12, Now #17
                                  Best prior run: 6.165/228.94, Was #17
     Right Lane: Marc White       Runs 5.797/244.96, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 5.749/249.58, Was #4
A couple of clean runs but neither driver improves.
      Left Lane: Tate Branch      Runs 5.810/224.10, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 5.776/246.64, Was #7
     Right Lane: Steve GasparrelliRuns 6.209/172.64, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 5.671/254.02, Was #2
Gasparrelli gets out of the groove just past half-track and pulls the chutes early. Branch was moving around all the way through the run and slows from his earlier attempt.
      Left Lane: Jimmy Jones      Runs 6.116/239.55, Now #12
                                  Best prior run: 5.986/241.80, Was #12
     Right Lane: Jason Rupert     Runs 13.840/57.34, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 6.028/244.83, Was #14
Rupert blows the tires off at the hit and shuts down.
      Left Lane: Cy Chesterman    Runs 5.790/249.30, Now #9
                                  No Prior Run
     Right Lane: Jackie Stidham   Runs 5.760/248.20, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 5.800/246.91, Was #8
Two good looking runs, Stidham just moving around a little on the top end. Chesterman gets in the field at the ninth spot and Stidham jumps up to fifth.
      Left Lane: Jay Payne        Runs 5.845/251.25, Now #12
                                  Best prior run: 8.910/100.32, Was #21
     Right Lane: John Patton      Runs 5.778/248.27, Now #9
                                  Best prior run: 5.847/248.41, Was #11
Payne gets out of the groove early, makes a move toward the wall but never lifts and gets in the field in the 12th spot. Patton makes a big improvement and jumps up to ninth.
     Right Lane: Bob Alberty      Runs 6.157/237.46, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 6.638/230.59, Was #21
Alberty gets out of the groove early, veers toward the center-line but hangs on for a decent pass.
     Right Lane: Steve Harker     Runs 5.781/251.11, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 12.012/67.61, Was #23
Harker makes a good, clean run and gets in the field.
     Right Lane: Bob Newberry     Runs 5.660/253.09, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 5.716/251.25, Was #3
Newberry makes a good run, right down the groove and moves up a notch to second.
     Right Lane: Vern Moats       Runs 5.740/250.06, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 5.824/233.58, Was #12
     Right Lane: Kebin Kinsley    No Time, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 6.049/231.48, Was #19
Kinsley completes his burnout, gets ready to stage and is told to shut down after they discover some type of fluid on the track..
       
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Friday

Order for Qualifying Round 2
ENNIS, Texas - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:
 Psn   Driver                Vehicle                       ET    Speed
   1. Von Smith            Jensen Audio Firebird          5.644  254.95
   2. Bob Newberry         Hussey/Valvoline Camaro        5.660  253.09
   3. Steve Gasparrelli    Prisms Unlimited Firebird      5.671  254.02
   4. Vern Moats           Kendall/SuperWinch Firebird    5.740  250.06
   5. Marc White           Etterman Racing Firebird       5.749  249.58
   6. Jackie Stidham       Stidham Bros Time Machine Cam  5.760  248.20
   7. Mert Littlefield     Hussey Copper Camaro           5.767  243.83
   8. Kirk Williams        Williams Bros. Firebird        5.768  251.25
   9. Tate Branch          Rapid Temp Avenger             5.776  246.64
  10. John Patton          Foolish Money II Trans Am      5.778  248.41
  11. Steve Harker         Harker Racing Avenger          5.781  251.11
  12. Cy Chesterman        Trans Am                       5.790  249.30
  13. Jay Payne            Valvoline Camaro               5.845  251.25
  14. Todd Simpson         Bright Transport. Avenger      5.872  243.04
  15. Jimmy Jones          Texas Tremor Camaro            5.986  241.80
  16. Steve Griboski       Mile-Hi Express Camaro         6.006  237.09
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Jason Rupert         Lucas Oil Camaro               6.028  244.83
  18. Bernie Harrington    Harrington M'Sports Avenger    6.041  225.11
  19. Kebin Kinsley        Achieva                        6.049  231.48
  20. Bob Alberty          Firebird                       6.157  237.46
  21. Thomas Frickenschmid Sara Lee Firebird              6.165  231.12
  22. Steve Burck          Profax Quality Welding Avenge  6.588  185.72
  23. Dennis Taylor        Cooner Wire Camaro             9.043   86.46

       
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Saturday

Results for Qualifying Round 3
ENNIS, Texas - DALLAS - Notes from final, round 3 qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec listing lane, driver name, elapsed time/top speed this round, position in order following run, best prior elapsed time/speed, and position in order prior to run:
      Left Lane: Cy Chesterman    Runs 7.562/123.94, Now #12
                                  Best prior run: 5.790/249.30, Was #12
     Right Lane: Bob Alberty      Runs 6.084/237.84, Now #20
                                  Best prior run: 6.157/237.46, Was #20
2:54 PM Chesterman gets to about half-track and loses the blower belt. Alberty makes his quickest run of the weekend but still doesn't make the show.
      Left Lane: Jay Payne        Runs 5.686/254.95, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 5.845/251.25, Was #13
     Right Lane: Steve GasparrelliRuns 5.772/251.60, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 5.671/254.02, Was #3
Gasparrelli gets out of the groove, makes a move to the right, back to the left and gets close to the center-line. He stays with and makes a decent pass. Payne went right down the groove but doesn't improve.
      Left Lane: Von Smith        Runs 5.706/253.87, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 5.644/254.95, Was #1
     Right Lane: Mert Littlefield Runs 5.795/245.23, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 5.767/243.83, Was #8
Not much to say here, both cars right down the groove.
      Left Lane: Jimmy Jones      Runs 5.897/243.77, Now #15
                                  Best prior run: 5.986/241.80, Was #15
     Right Lane: Kebin Kinsley    Runs 5.990/232.43, Now #16
                                  Best prior run: 6.049/231.48, Was #19
Kinsley makes his best pass of the weekend and gets in on the bump spot. Jones improves but doesn't move up in the field.
      Left Lane: Bernie HarringtonRuns 6.077/241.09, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 6.041/225.11, Was #19
     Right Lane: John Patton      Runs 5.853/244.63, Now #11
                                  Best prior run: 5.778/248.27, Was #11
Harrington shakes the tires and starts moving around. He drives through it but can't improve.
      Left Lane: Steve Griboski   Runs 5.976/237.71, Now #16
                                  Best prior run: 6.006/237.09, Was #17
     Right Lane: Vern Moats       Runs 5.808/247.38, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 5.740/250.06, Was #5
Griboski goes right down the groove and gets in the show on the bump spot. Moats makes another good pass but doesn't improve.
      Left Lane: Tate Branch      Runs 5.741/247.72, Now #6
                                  Best prior run: 5.776/246.64, Was #10
     Right Lane: Steve Harker     Runs 5.801/250.55, Now #12
                                  Best prior run: 5.781/251.11, Was #12
Branch improves and moves up four spots to sixth. Harker makes a clean pass but slows from his earlier run.
      Left Lane: Kirk Williams    Runs 5.886/247.72, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 5.768/251.25, Was #10
     Right Lane: Marc White       Runs 5.797/248.13, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 5.749/249.58, Was #7
Williams moves around a little early in the run but gets it back in the groove for a decent pass. White makes his third run in the 5.70's but doesn't improve.
      Left Lane: Thomas Frickenschmidt
                                  Runs 6.122/234.61, Now #22
                                  Best prior run: 6.165/228.94, Was #21
     Right Lane: Dennis Taylor    Runs 5.938/241.35, Now #16
                                  Best prior run: 9.043/86.46, Was #23
Taylor makes a good pass, gets in at the 16th spot and bumps out Griboski. Frickenschmidt makes his quickest pass of the weekend but still isn't close to making the field.
     Right Lane: Jason Rupert     Runs 13.810/55.45, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 6.028/244.83, Was #19
Rupert hit the throttle, rattles the tires and has to abort the run.
     Right Lane: Bob Newberry     Runs 5.697/252.17, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 5.660/253.09, Was #2
Newberry goes right down the groove and makes another good pass.
       
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Saturday

Order for Qualifying Round 3
ENNIS, Texas - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:
 Psn   Driver                Vehicle                       ET    Speed
   1. Von Smith            Jensen Audio Firebird          5.644  254.95
   2. Bob Newberry         Hussey/Valvoline Camaro        5.660  253.09
   3. Steve Gasparrelli    Prisms Unlimited Firebird      5.671  254.02
   4. Jay Payne            Valvoline Camaro               5.686  254.95
   5. Vern Moats           Kendall/SuperWinch Firebird    5.740  250.06
   6. Tate Branch          Rapid Temp Avenger             5.741  247.72
   7. Marc White           Etterman Racing Firebird       5.749  249.58
   8. Jackie Stidham       Stidham Bros Time Machine Cam  5.760  248.20
   9. Mert Littlefield     Hussey Copper Camaro           5.767  245.23
  10. Kirk Williams        Williams Bros. Firebird        5.768  251.25
  11. John Patton          Foolish Money II Trans Am      5.778  248.41
  12. Steve Harker         Harker Racing Avenger          5.781  251.11
  13. Cy Chesterman        Coca-Cola Trans Am             5.790  249.30
  14. Todd Simpson         Bright Transport. Avenger      5.872  243.04
  15. Jimmy Jones          Texas Tremor Camaro            5.897  243.77
  16. Dennis Taylor        Cooner Wire Camaro             5.938  241.35
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Steve Griboski       Mile-Hi Express Camaro         5.976  237.71
  18. Kebin Kinsley        Achieva                        5.990  232.43
  19. Jason Rupert         Lucas Oil Camaro               6.028  244.83
  20. Bernie Harrington    Harrington M'Sports Avenger    6.041  241.09
  21. Bob Alberty          Firebird                       6.084  237.84
  22. Thomas Frickenschmid Sara Lee Firebird              6.122  234.61
  23. Steve Burck          Profax Quality Welding Avenge  6.588  185.72

       
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Saturday

Results for Elimination Round 1
ENNIS, Texas - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Jay Payne (Valvoline Camaro)                0.438      5.726 254.23
 (L) Cy Chesterman (Coca-Cola Trans Am)          0.452      5.771 249.86
6:12 PM Payne gets the jump off the line and extends his lead at every incremental.
 (W) Steve Harker (Harker Racing Avenger)        0.557      5.786 249.58
 (L) Vern Moats (Kendall/SuperWinch Firebird)    0.000(R)  (Broke)
Moats stages, can't hold the car back and rolls the beams. Harker goes to round two, giving up lane choice to Payne.
 (W) Von Smith (Jensen Audio Firebird)           0.497      5.694 253.02
 (L) Kebin Kinsley (Achieva)                     0.488      6.260 177.37
Kinsley got in as an alternate when Taylor couldn't make eliminations. He gets a slight jump off the line but Smith caught him by the sixty-foot mark and drove away.
 (W) Bob Newberry (Hussey/Valvoline Camaro)      0.519      5.695 251.11
 (L) Jimmy Jones (Texas Tremor Camaro)           0.505      7.077 140.60
Jones gets out of the groove, almost crosses the center-line around half-track and he finally shuts down.
 (W) Steve Gasparrelli (Prisms Unlimited Firebird0.485      5.717 251.88
 (L) Steve Griboski (Mile-Hi Express Camaro)     0.478      5.925 225.05
Gasparrelli is a little behind off the line, reels Griboski in just past the sixty-foot mark and drives away. Griboski stayed in it until just before the finish-line, then a flash came from under the car and the blower belt came off.
 (W) Tate Branch (Rapid Temp Avenger)            0.466      5.771 248.82
 (L) John Patton (Foolish Money II Trans Am)     0.520      5.821 245.83
Branch was moving around all over the track, stayed with it and went on for the win. He will give up lane choice to Gasparrelli in round two.
 (W) Marc White (Etterman Racing Firebird)       0.427      5.814 246.44
 (L) Kirk Williams (Williams Bros. Firebird)     0.417      5.840 247.66
Williams gets the hole-shot, stays in front until half-track, then White drives around for the win. White will give up lane choice to Newberry in round two.
 (W) Jackie Stidham (Stidham Bros Time Machine Ca0.453      5.817 243.50
 (L) Mert Littlefield (Hussey Copper Camaro)     0.495      7.852 114.98
Littlefield gets about 400 feet out and the engine goes silent. i'm not sure why, maybe a blower belt. Stidham makes a decent pass but will lose lane choice to Smith in round two.
       
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Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 2
ENNIS, Texas - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Von Smith (Jensen Audio Firebird)           0.471      5.594 257.28
 (L) Jackie Stidham (Stidham Bros Time Machine Ca0.447      5.680 251.11
1:04 PM Smith is last off the line but drives by Stidham before they reach the sixty-foot mark.
 (W) Marc White (Etterman Racing Firebird)       0.451      5.658 253.66
 (L) Bob Newberry (Hussey/Valvoline Camaro)      0.527      5.697 214.28
White gets a big jump off the line but Newberry starts reeling him. Newberry continues to close the gap until just past the 1000-foot mark, then the engine goes silent.
 (W) Steve Gasparrelli (Prisms Unlimited Firebird0.466      5.625 256.84
 (L) Tate Branch (Rapid Temp Avenger)            0.488      5.668 253.02
Gasparrelli gets out of the groove early, drifts toward the wall, then gets it back in the groove to take the win. He will have lane choice over White in the semi-finals.
 (W) Jay Payne (Valvoline Camaro)                0.465      5.638 256.41
 (L) Steve Harker (Harker Racing Avenger)        0.494      5.684 251.04
Payne gets the advantage off the line and extends his lead at every incremental. He will give up lane choice to Smith in round three.
       
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Sunday

Results for Elimination Round 3
ENNIS, Texas - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Von Smith (Jensen Audio Firebird)           0.458      5.646 256.33
 (L) Jay Payne (Valvoline Camaro)                0.437      5.799 250.27
These two have met each other a few times this year. Smith seems to have the performance advantage this weekend. He gives Payne a little advantage off the line but reels him in quickly. He starts pulling away at the sixty-foot mark and goes on for the win.
 (W) Marc White (Etterman Racing Firebird)       0.409      5.668 252.38
 (L) Steve Gasparrelli (Prisms Unlimited Firebird0.488      5.607 255.75
White cuts the tree down and holds off Gasparrelli for the win. He will take on Smith in the finals, Smith with lane choice. White's margin 60ft(0.063), 330ft(0.057), 660ft(0.043), 1,000ft(0.029). MOV: 0.0183 seconds (approximately 7 feet).
       
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Sunday

Results for Final Round
ENNIS, Texas - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, 17th annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals presented by Castrol Syntec:
 W/L  Driver                                       RT        ET   Speed

 (W) Von Smith (Jensen Audio Firebird)           0.466      5.632 256.62
 (L) Marc White (Etterman Racing Firebird)       0.430      5.676 251.81
4:27 PM White gets the hole-shot and hangs on to the lead all the way through the 1000-foot mark. Smith reels him in at that point and drives around for the win. Smith's margin 60ft(0.008), 330 ft(-0.020), 660ft(-0.017), 1,000ft(-0.006). MOV: 0.0082 seconds (approximately 3 feet).
       
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