Championship Drag Racing

O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals
Houston, TX
(April 8-10)

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Driver Profile

Scott Weis Serta/Barrett Enterprises dragster

Houston, Saturday: Taking a fearless approach, the "working man's team" went for a top five qualifying spot and exceeded what the track will hold. At 330-feet, the Barrett Enterprises team machine smoked the massive Goodyears, bumping the team back to a precarious 15th place qualifying position. Four Top Fuel teams were gunning for the Barrett Enterprises team in the final qualifying session.

“We'd like to be in charge of our own destiny," said driver Scott Weis. “We're not outside looking in but we're way too close to the bump spot this round to be comfortable. Our goal for the fourth round qualifying session is to step on it a little less next round and just improve our position a few spots."

NHRA POWERade competition is much like war. You plan until something happens. In round four, Joe Hartley had on-track trouble and Scott Palmer opted not to make a pass at the last minute. Chris Karamesines didn't come to the staging lanes. Mitch King could not bump his Modern Outlaw ride in. All of these variables caused the Barrett Enterprises team to alter the plan. Originally the Barrett Enterprises team was going after a mid-4.60 pass, but after learning they could not be bumped from the field, the team decided to swing for the fences. The car bolted off the line well and ran super strong until tire smoke impeded the Top Fueler's forward momentum at just before the eighth-mile.

"We were trying to run a mid 4.50 and really move up after we knew we were safely in the field for Sunday," said Weis. “We really want to concentrate on qualifying better this year. It's what's been missing from our program. If we could better our qualifying position by just a few spots, we'd be in a much better position to go-rounds on Sunday."

This Sunday's eliminations will be a rematch of the last event the Mac Tools Gatornationals, where Weis lost to Cory McClenathan in round one. Is it Weis and the Barrett boys’ turn tomorrow?

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