Championship Drag Racing

Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals
Sonoma, CA
(July 28-30)

EVENT HOME
   Tickets
   Event schedule
   Results
   Team Reports
   Audio Broadcast
   Photo Galleries
   Video highlights
   Entry List
   Driver Appearances

Driver Profile

Bob Gilbertson Tradicion Azul Monte Carlo

Sonoma, Sunday: Bob Gilbertson went into the Fram/Autolite Nationals looking to win some rounds and climb his way back up the points ladder but instead found what was most probably causing him and his Autolite/Prestone team problems the past few weeks.

After qualifying the team discovered that the chassis was twisted, caused by a trip into the sand trap a few weeks ago at a race in Michigan.  Gilbertson's crew spent Saturday evening getting the spare chassis ready for eliminations where they had to face the number one qualifier Robert Hight in the first round.  All the hard work was for naught as a fuel pump shaft sheared at the hit of the throttle.

"Boy this was a tough weekend," Gilbertson said.  "Evidently the car got bent up after the trip to the sand trip a few weeks ago and it's been a bear to drive since then.  Once we discovered that the chassis was tweaked the team worked their butts off to get the back-up car ready for Sunday and I'm so proud of them.  If it hadn't been for the fuel pump drive breaking who knows what would have happened."

Gilbertson's co-crew chief Nicky Boninfante Jr. is relieved that they found the gremlin that has been hampering their performance.

"These cars are so sensitive and to have a chassis just a little bit off makes all the difference in the world," Boninfante added.  "We've been struggling since we went off the end of the track in Michigan and I'm so relieved that we found the cause of our problems.  We're going to get the car repaired this week and we should be in good shape for the next race at Brainerd, Minnesota." 

E-mail this article   Print this article