Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals NHRA Full Throttle DragRacing
Top Alcohol Funny Car
 
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Thursday
Results for Qualifying Round 1
POMONA, Calif. - POMONA 2 - Notes from round 1 qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals listing lane, driver name, elapsed time, top speed, and position in order following run: 
 
     Right Lane: Mike Drake       Runs 7.450/128.74, Now #1
11:55 a.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 68 degrees, relative humidity 23 percent, barometer 29.06 inches, adjusted altitude 1,909 feet, track temperature 93 degrees.

This appears to be Drake's first run of the year (late bloomer?) and he ran it to half track, then clicked it off with no visible problems.

      Left Lane: Bret Williamson  Runs 14.015/63.01, Now #3
     Right Lane: S. Westerfield   Runs 5.699/251.81, Now #1
Williamson shook and lost traction almost immediately. Westerfield made a career-best run, then the chutes were late and he went into the sand trap. Hard to tell from here, but it did not look like he did much damage to the car.
      Left Lane: Keeter Ray       Runs 9.429/99.54, Now #4
     Right Lane: Brian Smith      Runs 5.913/249.30, Now #2
Ray shook hard and lifted quickly. Smith made a clean run, but that time probably won't make the cut with the tough field of cars entered here.
      Left Lane: Sean Bellemeur   Runs 5.816/241.76, Now #3
     Right Lane: Steve Burck      Runs 5.619/253.66, Now #1
Bellemeur's car started to fire, then quit and the crew thrashed to refire the engine. By the time they got it running again, Burck was already back from his burnout and Bellemeur made a very short burnout, just enough to clean the tires. It didn't appear to hurt the run too much, but he is usually a bit quicker. Meanwhile, Burck ran a career-best ET to take over the top spot.
      Left Lane: Ken Webster      Runs 5.729/252.47, Now #4
     Right Lane: Mark Woznichak   Runs 5.639/253.85, Now #2
Two solid runs, Woznichak with his best ET of the year to move into the second spot.
      Left Lane: Alexis De Joria  Runs 12.215/56.21, Now #10
     Right Lane: John Bojec       Runs 5.646/251.81, Now #3
DeJoria's car shook, turned left, and she lifted. Bojec made a nice opening run to move into the third spot.
      Left Lane: Doug Gordon      Runs 5.676/255.68, Now #5
     Right Lane: Brent Henry      Runs 5.624/247.57, Now #2
Gordon had a tough weekend at the Las Vegas Divisional race, failing to make the talent-loaded 8-car field, so he was in no mood to lift when his car shook and tried to turn right on the launch. He drove through it without lifting and salvaged a pretty good run. Henry's run was not as dramatic, straight down the groove.
      Left Lane: J. Lombardo Jr.  Runs 15.379/83.09, Now #15
     Right Lane: S. Gasparrelli   Runs 5.633/259.01, Now #3
Gasparrelli also had a tough weekend in Vegas, barely making the field, then going out in the first round with lots of tire shake. This one ought to easily make the field here, he was quick and straight and fast. Meanwhile, Lombardo shook and bounced for about 100 feet before throwing in the towel.
      Left Lane: Clint Thompson   Runs 8.716/102.88, Now #13
     Right Lane: Brian Hough      Runs 5.664/257.38, Now #6
Once again, tire shake in the left lane, decent run in the right.
      Left Lane: Sean O'Bannon    Runs 5.565/259.06, Now #2
     Right Lane: Tony Bartone     Runs 5.548/264.18, Now #1
Two very good runs, but Bartone's career-best speed doesn't even make the top ten because Frank Manzo has kind of dominated in that statistic.

Sean O'Bannon's incremental times: 60ft-0.963 sec., 330ft-2.486, 660ft-3.678/207.56 mph, 1,000ft-4.698.
Tony Bartone's incremental times: 60ft-0.975 sec., 330ft-2.503, 660ft-3.689/209.75 mph, 1,000ft-4.696.

      Left Lane: Jay Payne        Runs 5.639/248.29, Now #8
     Right Lane: Mickey Ferro     Runs 5.489/259.61, Now #1
Last pair and two more good runs. Well, one good run, one outstanding run. Ferro is finishing the season with one good run after another and this was a career-best ET for Ferro, by a thousandth. Payne's car left hard, but was a bit loose early in the run and he appeared to eat a few pistons on the top end.

Thursday
Order for Qualifying Round 1
POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after one round of qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals: 
 Psn  Driver               Vehicle                            ET   Speed
   1. Mickey Ferro         Ryco Hydraulics Monte Carlo     5.489  259.61 
   2. Tony Bartone         Centre Pointe Collision Mustan  5.548  264.18 
   3. Sean O'Bannon        Forest River RV Monte Carlo     5.565  259.06 
   4. Steve Burck          ARC Speciaties Camaro           5.619  253.66 
   5. Brent Henry          Lane Automotive Charger         5.624  247.57 
   6. Steve Gasparrelli    ECS Mustang                     5.633  259.01 
   7. Mark Woznichak       Rancho Framers/Color By Woz Ca  5.639  253.85 
   8. Jay Payne            FireIce Mustang                 5.639  248.29 
   9. John Bojec           PAC Valve Springs Monte Carlo   5.646  251.81 
  10. Brian Hough          Brian Hough Racing Monte Carlo  5.664  257.38 
  11. Doug Gordon          Morro Bay Cabinets Monte Carlo  5.676  255.68 
  12. Shane Westerfield    CDI Exhibits Firebird           5.699  251.81 
  13. Ken Webster          Synoil Fluids Racing Monte Car  5.729  252.47 
  14. Sean Bellemeur       MasterCam/Lucas Oil Camaro      5.816  241.76 
  15. Brian Smith          Crainco/Lusac Oil Camaro        5.913  249.30 
  16. Mike Drake           Barnett Transportation Avenger  7.450  128.74 
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Clint Thompson       Cascade Chevrolet Monte Carlo   8.716  102.88 
  18. Keeter Ray           Keeter Ray Racing Mustang       9.429   99.54 
  19. Alexis De Joria      Tequila Patron Mustang         12.215   56.21 
  20. Bret Williamson      Team Eagle/Beams Automotive Co 14.015   63.01 
  21. John Lombardo Jr.    NAPA Auto Parts Monte Carlo    15.379   83.09

Friday
Results for Qualifying Round 2
POMONA, Calif. - POMONA 2 - Notes from round 2 qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals 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: Mike Drake       Runs 7.562/113.55, Now #16
                                  Best prior run: 7.450/128.74, Was #16
12:33 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 69 degrees, relative humidity 24 percent, barometer 29.17 inches, adjusted altitude 1,877 feet, track temperature 99 degrees.

Drake's car chattered the tires and headed for the centerline, then spit out the blower belt around half track.

      Left Lane: Brian Smith      Runs 5.754/251.58, Now #15
                                  Best prior run: 5.913/249.30, Was #15
     Right Lane: J. Lombardo Jr.  Runs 5.745/255.87, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 15.379/83.09, Was #21
Nice side-by-side show, but the times leave both drivers dangerously close to the bump spot. Lombardo bumped Drake from the field, putting Sean Bellemeur on the bump at 5.816.
     Right Lane: Bret Williamson  Runs 5.618/254.38, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 14.015/63.01, Was #21
Nice run by Williamson to shake the field up a bit, his career-best ET bumping Bellemeur. Now Brian Smith is on the bump spot at 5.754.
      Left Lane: Brian Hough      Runs 5.694/248.89, Now #11
                                  Best prior run: 5.664/257.38, Was #11
     Right Lane: Alexis De Joria  Runs 8.247/94.97, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 12.215/56.21, Was #21
DeJoria shook, pedaled, and one of her chutes came out. Good run by Hough, but no improvement and the track crew took a long look at his lane before firing the next pair..
      Left Lane: John Bojec       Runs 10.948/75.54, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 5.646/251.81, Was #10
     Right Lane: Keeter Ray       Runs 13.196/73.88, Now #21
                                  Best prior run: 9.429/99.54, Was #21
Both cars shook violently, Bojec pedaling before losing traction a second time.
      Left Lane: Mark Woznichak   Runs 9.674/87.34, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 5.639/253.85, Was #8
     Right Lane: Clint Thompson   Runs 16.197/50.84, Now #20
                                  Best prior run: 8.716/102.88, Was #20
Two more, same story, both cars up in smoke in the first 100 feet or less.
      Left Lane: S. Gasparrelli   Runs 5.582/258.62, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 5.633/259.01, Was #7
     Right Lane: Sean Bellemeur   Runs 5.819/247.20, Now #17
                                  Best prior run: 5.816/241.76, Was #17
Both cars got down the track, Gasparrelli on a strong run, Bellemeur steadily losing ground. Steve Gasparrelli's incremental times: 60ft-0.955 sec., 330ft-2.490, 660ft-3.687/206.16 mph, 1,000ft-4.712.
      Left Lane: Brent Henry      Runs 9.071/95.14, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 5.624/247.57, Was #7
     Right Lane: Ken Webster      Runs 5.678/251.67, Now #13
                                  Best prior run: 5.729/252.47, Was #14
Henry shook, fishtailed, and lifted. Webster improved a few hundredths and moved up one spot.
      Left Lane: Steve Burck      Runs 5.670/253.09, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 5.619/253.66, Was #6
     Right Lane: Doug Gordon      Runs 5.599/256.99, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 5.676/255.68, Was #12
Both cars made strong runs, but Burck's car kept getting closer and closetr to the centerline. He barely cleared the finish line markers and the car briefly darted into the other lane as the chutes came out. It looked close from this end of the track, maybe five feet between the cars before Burck's car moved back to the left lane.

Steve Burck's incremental times: 60ft-0.976 sec., 330ft-2.526, 660ft-3.739/203.92 mph, 1,000ft-4.783.
Doug Gordon's incremental times: 60ft-0.953 sec., 330ft-2.491, 660ft-3.696/205.57 mph, 1,000ft-4.725. That moved Gordon from the bottom half way up into the top half and now the top five cars are in the fifties or better.

      Left Lane: Tony Bartone     Runs 5.513/262.59, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 5.548/264.18, Was #2
     Right Lane: Jay Payne        Runs 6.371/166.37, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 5.639/248.29, Was #10
Nice run by Bartone, improving his hold on second spot. Payne lost a little ground ober the first half of the track, then slowed, the car trailing blue smoke. But the track was clean and they fired the next pair with no delay.
      Left Lane: Mickey Ferro     Runs 5.697/254.86, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 5.489/259.61, Was #1
     Right Lane: Sean O'Bannon    Runs 5.558/252.80, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 5.565/259.06, Was #3
Last pair. Ferro drove through early tire shake and could not match his pace from yesterday's "forty," O'Bannon improved slightly, no change in the order. Mickey Ferro's incremental times: 60ft-0.932 sec., 330ft-2.532, 660ft-3.770/201.16 mph, 1,000ft-4.814.
Sean O'Bannon's incremental times: 60ft-0.948 sec., 330ft-2.463, 660ft-3.655/207.62 mph, 1,000ft-4.681.

Friday
Order for Qualifying Round 2
POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Order after 2 rounds of qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals: 
 Psn  Driver               Vehicle                            ET   Speed
   1. Mickey Ferro         Ryco Hydraulics Monte Carlo     5.489  259.61 
   2. Tony Bartone         Centre Pointe Collision Mustan  5.513  264.18 
   3. Sean O'Bannon        Forest River RV Monte Carlo     5.558  259.06 
   4. Steve Gasparrelli    ECS Mustang                     5.582  259.01 
   5. Doug Gordon          Morro Bay Cabinets Monte Carlo  5.599  256.99 
   6. Bret Williamson      Team Eagle/Beams Automotive Co  5.618  254.38 
   7. Steve Burck          ARC Speciaties Camaro           5.619  253.66 
   8. Brent Henry          Lane Automotive Charger         5.624  247.57 
   9. Mark Woznichak       Rancho Framers/Color By Woz Ca  5.639  253.85 
  10. Jay Payne            FireIce Mustang                 5.639  248.29 
  11. John Bojec           PAC Valve Springs Monte Carlo   5.646  251.81 
  12. Brian Hough          Brian Hough Racing Monte Carlo  5.664  257.38 
  13. Ken Webster          Synoil Fluids Racing Monte Car  5.678  252.47 
  14. Shane Westerfield    CDI Exhibits Firebird           5.699  251.81 
  15. John Lombardo Jr.    NAPA Auto Parts Monte Carlo     5.745  255.87 
  16. Brian Smith          Crainco/Lusac Oil Camaro        5.754  251.58 
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Sean Bellemeur       MasterCam/Lucas Oil Camaro      5.816  247.20 
  18. Mike Drake           Barnett Transportation Avenger  7.450  128.74 
  19. Alexis De Joria      Tequila Patron Mustang          8.247   94.97 
  20. Clint Thompson       Cascade Chevrolet Monte Carlo   8.716  102.88 
  21. Keeter Ray           Keeter Ray Racing Mustang       9.429   99.54

Friday
Results for Qualifying Round 3
POMONA, Calif. - POMONA 2 - Notes from final, round 3 qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals 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: Keeter Ray       Runs 5.627/255.92, Now #9
                                  Best prior run: 9.429/99.54, Was #21
     Right Lane: Mike Drake       Runs 6.636/169.10, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 7.450/128.74, Was #18
5:29 p.m. Brian Smith is on the bump at 5.754 to open the final qualifying session.

Ray went right down the groove with no visible problems (it's dark out there) and into the field. Drake was way out next to the wall and did not improve enough to do him any good.

Now John Lombardo Jr. is on the bump spot at 5.745.

      Left Lane: Clint Thompson   Runs 5.945/200.38, Now #19
                                  Best prior run: 8.716/102.88, Was #21
     Right Lane: Brian Smith      Runs 5.831/247.52, Now #17
                                  Best prior run: 5.754/251.58, Was #17
Thompson's car was moving around a lot and was close to the centerline a couple of times, but did nto appear to cross it. Doesn't matter much, he was not quick enough to make the field. Smith failed to improve, is currently the first alternate.
      Left Lane: Alexis De Joria  Runs 5.582/261.42, Now #4
                                  Best prior run: 8.247/94.97, Was #21
     Right Lane: Brian Hough      Runs 5.649/248.75, Now #14
                                  Best prior run: 5.664/257.38, Was #13
Weather conditions: air temperature 70 degrees, relative humidity 29 percent, barometer 29.10 inches, adjusted altitude 2,055 feet, track temperature 74 degrees.

DeJoria got it all sorted out on this run, right down the groove and into the top part of the field. Hough also made a good run, improved slightly, but lost ground when DeJoria bumped into the field and it looks like Hough lost the engine in the lights, the equipment is rolling to work on his lane.

Now Shane Westerfield is on the bump spot at 5.699.

      Left Lane: Sean Bellemeur   Runs 5.666/253.85, Now #15
                                  Best prior run: 5.816/241.76, Was #19
     Right Lane: John Bojec       Runs 5.687/256.41, Now #13
                                  Best prior run: 5.646/251.81, Was #13
Two good runs, Bellemeur bumping into the field. Bojec did not improve, but ran close to his best run yesterday.

Now Ken Webster is on the bump spot at 5.678.

      Left Lane: J. Lombardo Jr.  Runs 5.544/262.18, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 5.745/255.87, Was #18
     Right Lane: Mark Woznichak   Runs 5.660/258.02, Now #12
                                  Best prior run: 5.639/253.85, Was #11
Lombardo's team came through under pressure and he went from the outside to near the top of the list. Woznichak failed to improve, lost one spot.
      Left Lane: Ken Webster      Runs 8.413/100.60, Now #17
                                  Best prior run: 5.678/251.67, Was #17
     Right Lane: Brent Henry      Runs 5.698/231.83, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 5.624/247.57, Was #10
Lombardo's run put Sean Bellemeur on the bump spot at 5.666. Webter was on a strong early pace, but there were some expensive sounds from his car near half track and he slowed. Henry made a good run, but failed to improve.
      Left Lane: Jay Payne        Runs 5.575/258.86, Now #5
                                  Best prior run: 5.639/248.29, Was #13
     Right Lane: Steve Burck      Runs 5.590/256.60, Now #8
                                  Best prior run: 5.619/253.66, Was #9
Both drivers came up with their best effort of the weekend to move into the top half of the field and now the top eight are all in the fifties or better.
      Left Lane: Bret Williamson  Runs 12.028/77.08, Now #10
                                  Best prior run: 5.618/254.38, Was #10
     Right Lane: S. Gasparrelli   Runs 9.960/87.79, Now #7
                                  Best prior run: 5.582/258.62, Was #7
Oh-for-two, both cars losing traction early in the run.
      Left Lane: Doug Gordon      Runs 5.537/260.76, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 5.599/256.99, Was #9
     Right Lane: Tony Bartone     Runs 5.449/266.00, Now #1
                                  Best prior run: 5.513/262.59, Was #2
Gordon made a great run, Bartone made an unbelievable run.

Doug Gordon's incremental times: 60ft-0.932 sec., 330ft-2.468, 660ft-3.660/208.59 mph, 1,000ft-4.675.
Tony Bartone's incremental times: 60ft-0.933 sec., 330ft-2.431, 660ft-3.604/211.46 mph, 1,000ft-4.603. Those are not only career-best numbers for "T-Bone,." his ET eclipses Bob Tasca III's quickest-ever 5.451 ET and his speed eclipses Frank Manzo's fastest-ever 265.74 mph speed. In addition, his first-run 264.18 mph speed is fast enough to back up the 266.00 as the speed record.

      Left Lane: Sean O'Bannon    Runs 5.520/260.31, Now #3
                                  Best prior run: 5.558/252.80, Was #5
     Right Lane: Mickey Ferro     Runs 5.477/263.20, Now #2
                                  Best prior run: 5.489/259.61, Was #2
Two more outstanding runs, but they will have to settle for second and third, leaving Bartone in a class by himself at the top of the list.

Mickey Ferro's incremental times: 60ft-0.928 sec., 330ft-2.428, 660ft-3.612/208.81 mph, 1,000ft-4.622.

Friday
Order for Qualifying Round 3
POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Final order after 3 rounds of qualifying in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals: 
 Psn  Driver               Vehicle                            ET   Speed
   1. Tony Bartone         Centre Pointe Collision Mustan  5.449  266.00^
   2. Mickey Ferro         Ryco Hydraulics Monte Carlo     5.477  263.20 
   3. Sean O'Bannon        Forest River RV Monte Carlo     5.520  260.31 
   4. Doug Gordon          Morro Bay Cabinets Monte Carlo  5.537  260.76 
   5. John Lombardo Jr.    NAPA Auto Parts Monte Carlo     5.544  262.18 
   6. Jay Payne            FireIce Mustang                 5.575  258.86 
   7. Alexis De Joria      Tequila Patron Mustang          5.582  261.42 
   8. Steve Gasparrelli    ECS Mustang                     5.582  259.01 
   9. Steve Burck          ARC Speciaties Camaro           5.590  256.60 
  10. Bret Williamson      Team Eagle/Beams Automotive Co  5.618  254.38 
  11. Brent Henry          Lane Automotive Charger         5.624  247.57 
  12. Keeter Ray           Keeter Ray Racing Mustang       5.627  255.92 
  13. Mark Woznichak       Rancho Framers/Color By Woz Ca  5.639  258.02 
  14. John Bojec           PAC Valve Springs Monte Carlo   5.646  256.41 
  15. Brian Hough          Brian Hough Racing Monte Carlo  5.649  257.38 
  16. Sean Bellemeur       MasterCam/Lucas Oil Camaro      5.666  253.85 
          --------- Not Qualified ---------
  17. Ken Webster          Synoil Fluids Racing Monte Car  5.678  252.47 
  18. Shane Westerfield    CDI Exhibits Firebird           5.699  251.81 
  19. Brian Smith          Crainco/Lusac Oil Camaro        5.754  251.58 
  20. Clint Thompson       Cascade Chevrolet Monte Carlo   5.945  200.38 
  21. Mike Drake           Barnett Transportation Avenger  6.636  169.10 
 
 ^ = National Speed Record

Saturday
Results for Elimination Round 1
POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 1 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals: 
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed
 
 (W) Steve Gasparrelli (ECS Mustang)             0.058      5.754 257.38
 (L) Steve Burck (ARC Speciaties Camaro)         -0.018(R) 14.926  50.42
1:49 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 76 degrees, relative humidity 18 percent, barometer 29.01 inches, adjusted altitude 2,478 feet, track temperature 102 degrees.

This is the quickest TAFC field ever, Sean Bellemeur on the bump spot at 5.666. There were twelve career-bests (ET or MPH) run during qualifying, by eight different drivers.

This is the first time Burck and Gasparrelli have faced each other in eliminations.

Burck went red, shook, and shut it off. Gasparrelli made a clean run, but was well over a tenth of a second slower than his qualifying run.

 (W) Alexis De Joria (Tequila Patron Mustang)    0.124      5.685 245.40
 (L) Bret Williamson (Team Eagle/Beams Automotiv 0.124      6.304 239.40
DeJoria is 1-0 against Williamson in prior events.

They left right together, both a bit late, but Williamson's car shook early in the run and he slowed. DeJoria was about a tenth off her qualifying pace, but had no obvious problems.

 (W) Keeter Ray (Keeter Ray Racing Mustang)      0.153      5.711 252.43
 (L) John Lombardo Jr. (NAPA Auto Parts Monte Ca 0.094      6.041 244.12
This is the first time Lombardo and Ray have faced each other. Lombardo's father won this event in 1983, beating John Force in the final, on a holeshot.

Ray was late, but Lombardo's car got very loose and had to lift.

 (W) Mark Woznichak (Rancho Framers/Color By Woz 0.086      6.306 202.18
 (L) Doug Gordon (Morro Bay Cabinets Monte Carlo 0.046      6.533 134.54
Gordon is 2 - 0 against Woznichak in prior events.

Gordon was away first and Woznichak's car was very loose, falling way behind, but something happened to Gordon's car on the top end and he slowed abruptly, the chutes out early, allowing Woznichak to go by for the win. Mark Woznichak's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(-0.063), 330 ft(-0.133), 660ft(-0.183), 1,000ft(-0.145). MOV: 0.1871 seconds (approximately 37 feet).

"The Woz" has lane choice against Ray next round. 

 (W) Tony Bartone (Centre Pointe Collision Musta 0.096      7.287 216.13
 (L) Sean Bellemeur (MasterCam/Lucas Oil Camaro) 0.047      8.409 158.71
Bartone is 1 - 0 against Bellemeur in prior events. This is the 33rd #1 qualifier for Bartone, 31st in TAFC. He last set the TAFC speed record in '95, at Topeka, and he last set the TAFC ET record in '00, at Maple Grove. His 5.449 at 266.00 mph is the quickest and fastest TAFC run ever, The speed is a national record, he needs to run 4.503 or better to back up the ET as a national record.

After all that, this turned into a pedaling contest, both drivers fighting to regain traction. Bartone led most of the way, pulling away on the top end, but Bellemeur did not give up and got very close to the wall near the finish line. Bartone faces Gasparrelli in round 2, Gasparrelli has lane choice. 

 (W) Mickey Ferro (Ryco Hydraulics Monte Carlo)  0.065      5.614 259.56
 (L) Brian Hough (Brian Hough Racing Monte Carlo 0.058      5.697 231.36
Hough and Ferro have each won 1 time against the other in prior events. Mickey Ferro has entered eight prior races this year, went to the final round at seven of them.

This was a good drag race, Hough leading to half track, but Ferro had too much for him today and steadily pulled away on the top end for the win.

Mickey Ferro's incremental margins (negative if behind): 60ft(0.009), 330 ft(-0.004), 660ft(-0.003), 1,000ft(0.021). MOV: 0.0761 seconds (approximately 26 feet).

Ferro has lane choice against DeJoria in round 2. 

 (W) Sean O'Bannon (Forest River RV Monte Carlo) 0.073      5.570 255.77
 (L) John Bojec (PAC Valve Springs Monte Carlo)  0.096     12.356  71.46
This is the first time O'Bannon and Bojec have faced each other in eliminations.

Bojec's car shook hard immediately and O'Bannon had no visible problems.

 (W) Jay Payne (FireIce Mustang)                 0.082      8.078 110.81
 (L) Brent Henry (Lane Automotive Charger)       -0.034(R)  5.712 251.20
This is the first time Henry and Payne have faced each other in eliminations. Jay Payne is facing his 246th different driver, easily the most of any active driver. For example, Frank Manzo has faced just over 200 and Vern Moats has faced 167.

Henry threw this one away at the start, deep-staging, then leaving early. Payne shook, fishtailed, and had to give up on the run. He will not have lane choice when he faces O'Bannon next round.

Sunday
Results for Elimination Round 2
POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 2 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals: 
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed
 
 (W) Steve Gasparrelli (ECS Mustang)             0.059      5.723 256.65
 (L) Tony Bartone (Centre Pointe Collision Musta 0.081      5.706 257.78
12:56 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 76 degrees, relative humidity 25 percent, barometer 28.90 inches, adjusted altitude 2,654 feet, track temperature 101 degrees.

Bartone won the only other time he and Gasparrelli have raced each other, in the U.S. Nationals semifinals in 1998.

Bartone's car once again chattered the tires and went out toward the wall. He drove through it, but that hurt his ET just enough to give Gasparrelli a holeshot victory. Steve Gasparrelli's incremental margins: 60ft(0.025), 330 ft(0.018), 660ft(0.016), 1,000ft(0.009). MOV: 0.0055 seconds (approximately 2 feet).

 (W) Mark Woznichak (Rancho Framers/Color By Woz 0.138      5.654 250.18
 (L) Keeter Ray (Keeter Ray Racing Mustang)      0.105     DQ-Centerline
This is the first time Woznichak and Ray have faced each other at a national event.

Ray's car was all over his lane and much of Woznichak's, taking out the 330 and 660-foot timing reflectors. We'll be down for a bit while the sweepers clean up the "orange confetti." Fortunately, Woznichak was on a strong run and was clear of the scene before Ray crossed the centerline.

Woznichak will have lane choice against gasparrelli in the semifinals.

 (W) Mickey Ferro (Ryco Hydraulics Monte Carlo)  0.051      5.569 257.33
 (L) Alexis De Joria (Tequila Patron Mustang)    0.129      5.650 257.97
Ferro is 3-0 against DeJoria and won the only other time they met in round two, at Las Vegas two weeks ago.

Ferro had a good light and a relatively straight, smooth run. DeJoria was late, then her car made a hard move out of the groove about 200 feet out.

 (W) Sean O'Bannon (Forest River RV Monte Carlo) 0.147      5.554 255.39
 (L) Jay Payne (FireIce Mustang)                 -9.999(R) NT-Left Before Tree
O'Bannon and Payne have an even split in prior events, 2-2. They have met in round 2 twice before, each winning once, at Topeka last year and again this year.

Payne's car rolled forward at the last instant, drawing a red light. O'Bannon made a strong, straight run and will have lane choice against Ferro in the semifinals.

Sunday
Results for Elimination Round 3
POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of round 3 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals: 
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed
 
 (W) Mark Woznichak (Rancho Framers/Color By Woz 0.200      5.692 255.10
 (L) Steve Gasparrelli (ECS Mustang)             0.129      6.115 212.36
3:35 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 77 degrees, relative humidity 27 percent, barometer 28.86 inches, adjusted altitude 2,804 feet, track temperature 91 degrees.

Gasparrelli and Woznichak have each won 1 time against the other in prior events, both prior faceoffs coming in the first round. Both drivers have recorded national event wins this year.

Neither driver will frame their timeslip for their reaction time, Gasparrelli getting a huge edge at the green despite his tardy launch, but his car slowed before half track and Woznichak roared by for the win.

 (W) Mickey Ferro (Ryco Hydraulics Monte Carlo)  0.044      5.572 256.65
 (L) Sean O'Bannon (Forest River RV Monte Carlo) 0.028     12.144  77.66
Ferro is 1 - 0 against O'Bannon in prior events and this is a rematch of the Las Vegas semifinals match that Ferro won enroute to his event victory.

O'Bannon striuck the tires and lifted early in the run, leaving Ferro uncontested enroute to his win. Ferro will have lane choice against Woznichak in the final round, looking to extend his event win streak.

Sunday
Results for Final Round 
POMONA, Calif. - SUMMIT FastNews - Results of final, round 4 eliminations in Top Alcohol Funny Car at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, 46th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals: 
 W/L  Driver                                     R-Time    E-Time  Speed
 
 (W) Mickey Ferro (Ryco Hydraulics Monte Carlo)  0.064      5.522 257.58
 (L) Mark Woznichak (Rancho Framers/Color By Woz 0.072      6.055 171.05
5:21 p.m. Weather conditions: air temperature 74 degrees, relative humidity 28 percent, barometer 28.85 inches, adjusted altitude 2,638 feet, track temperature 77 degrees.

This is the first time Woznichak and Ferro have faced each other in eliminations.

Ferro left first and was already well ahead when there was a bright flash of flame feom Woznichak's car and he slowed. Ferro scores his fourth national event win of the year and he has won the last three national events he has attended, plus last weekend's Division 4 race in Las Vegas.