|
 GAINESVILLE,
FL (March 14-17) -- The 33rd annual MAC Tools NHRA Nationals was
contested at Gainesville Raceway over the weekend with five
Hoosier-shod drivers powering their way into the final round of their
respective classes. Drivers on Hoosier tires who made it to the final
round were: Mitch Stott, Pro Mod; Cliff Bozzelli, Top Alcohol
Dragster; Frank Manzo and Todd Veney, Top Alcohol Funny Car; and Todd
Ewing, Super Comp.
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Whether Team-Hoosier would remain undefeated in NHRA Top Alcohol Funny
Car finals in 2002 was a foregone conclusion as both final round
competitors were on Hoosier tires. In fact, 10 of the 12 cars
competing were using USA-made Hoosier tires. Frank Manzo,
piloting the Kendall Oil Avenger, met Todd Veney in the ER/SAE/Firefox
Firebird in the TAFC finals. With both drivers on Hoosier's
34.5/17.0-16 tires, the contest was going to be close. At the light, it
was Manzo getting the slight edge with a .498 RT to Veney's .501 RT.
Manzo then posted a 5.684 ET (253.28 mph) to capture the win over
Veney, who recorded a 5.843 ET (247.43 mph). The win was Manzo's 48th
career win at a National Event. SUPER COMP
In a field that began with 125 cars in the Super Comp division (70
on Hoosiers), it all came down to Todd Ewing and his Hoosier
33.0/16.5-15S C07 tires in the final round. Ewing did not fail in his
effort to give Team-Hoosier their second class title of the weekend.
Ewing posted a .426 RT to his competition's .432 to get the early
advantage. He also registered the better ET, 8.903 (.003) to 8.912
(.012), to be closest to the 8.90 dial. The win was Ewing's 1st NHRA
National Event win. RUNNER-UP FINISHERS
In Pro Mod, Mitch Stott did all he could to overcome the advantage his
opponent established at the light. Stott had a .491 RT to his
opponent's .416 RT. The early lead was too much for Stott's Radiac
Abrasives '63 Corvette to overcome despite posting a better ET, 6.281
(226.32 mph) versus 6.338 (222.29 mph). Stott used Hoosier's
34.5/17.0-16 C2000 drag tires as did the #1 qualifier, Mike Ashley, in
the Lizzard Racing '53 Studebaker. Ashley qualified at 6.301 seconds
(222.73 mph). In Top Alcohol Dragster, Cliff Bozzelli took runner-up
honors. Bozzelli's speed (255.68 mph) was actually over 2 miles an
hour faster than the eventual winner's speed, but he was second to cross
the stripe. Bozzelli used Hoosier's 34.5/17.0-16 C4000 tires. Hoosier
Drag Racing Product Manager Faron Lubbers, who attended the event,
commented on the results: "The tires performed well this weekend
with five drivers on Hoosiers making it to the final round."
Lubbers continued, "We are very confident going into Las Vegas
where Team-Hoosier claimed four class titles in 2001." The 3rd
annual NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, April 4-7 in Las Vegas, is next
up on the schedule. Good luck to all the teams using USA-made Hoosier
tires! |
