Championship Drag Racing

Pontiac Excitement Nationals
Columbus, Ohio
(June 12-15)

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Darrell Alderman Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T

Reports: Sunday Saturday Friday

Columbus, Sunday: Darrell Alderman and his Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T fell in the first round of competition to Kurt Johnson. The three-time POWERade Pro Stock World Champion shut off at half-track, allowing Johnson to cruise to victory.

"The car just spun the tires off the track," Alderman said. "We were better than Kurt all the way up to that point, but we got real loose and I had to shut it off. We were spinning the tires a little bit too."

Columbus, Saturday: Darrell Alderman drove his Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T into the eighth-qualified position. The three-time POWERade Pro Stock World Champion, who drove to the finals in last year's event, faces off against current point leader Kurt Johnson in the first round.

"We made a nice run on that last one," said Alderman, who made his quickest run of the weekend during the last session. "We moved around just a little bit in second gear, but I put it back in the groove and it made it down the track.

"If the track stays like it is now, lane choice won't be that big of deal," Alderman continued. "If the sun comes out though, this track usually has uneven lanes - and it's usually the left one that's the best."

Co-team owner and engine builder Roy Johnson talked about his two cars.

"We have found (through testing) that the Stratus is just a much better car in the front half of the run," Johnson said. "We applied what we learned on Allen's car to Darrell's Neon as well - and we changed motor combinations - and it seemed to work. We tested in Bristol (Tenn.) with similar conditions, prior to coming here this weekend, and the Stratus went down the track every time. It was hard to get the Neon down it."

Columbus, Friday: Darrell Alderman and his Mopar Parts Dodge Neon R/T grabbed the provisional eighth slot with a 6.920-second elapsed time at 199.46 mph. The three-time POWERade Pro Stock World Champion was pleased with his effort.

"We could have run a little better in our 60-foot time," Alderman said. "However, we were the quickest car in that right lane with our 60-foot time. We're going to work on some transmission ratios and see if we can't pick it up a bit.

"It's the best track conditions we've ever had here," Alderman added. "This track is traditionally real hard to get down. You usually have to baby the clutch and just finesse your way down the track. The track seems to be tight this weekend."