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 SONOMA,
CA (August 1-3) -- On the heels of last week's record setting
performance in which Team-Hoosier had nine drivers in the finals with
six coming away winners, the NHRA Powerade Drag Racing Series traveled
to California for the 16th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA Nationals. This
time, drivers using Hoosier tires were in four finals with three
coming away with National Event wins. In Top Alcohol Funny Car it was
two Hoosier-shod cars in the finals with Bucky Austin meeting Jay
Payne, while David Rampy made it to the Stock finals hoping for his
eighth National Event win of the season. In Super Comp, it was another
all-Hoosier final when Rick Beckstrom (right) met George Scott, while
Brian Smith carried the Hoosier colors in the Super Gas final. The
event was also attended by Hoosier Drag Racing Product Manager Faron
Lubbers and Hoosier's NHRA service truck managed by John Adamo. Also
on site were representatives from Hoosier Tire West who served as the
local servicing agent for the event.
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
In T/A Funny Car, Bucky Austin was looking for his second National
Event win of the season. But it wouldn't be easy because Austin was
facing another Hoosier-shod mount driven by Jay Payne in a classic
Firebird versus Camaro match up. Payne, in the Valvoline Camaro, had
the better light with a .041 RT to Austin's .075 RT. But Austin,
driving the Bucky's Muffler Firebird, posted the better ET (5.665 vs.
5.729 ET) and speed (254.42 mph vs. 251.34 mph) to capture the
win--his 14th National Event win of his career. The two Hoosier-shod
cars put on a great race with Austin narrowly taking the win by about
11 feet at the line.
STOCK
To say David Rampy has been hot in 2003 would be an understatement.
Rampy entered the Stock final with seven National Event wins this
season and was in his first-ever Stock final at Sonoma. Rampy, using
Hoosier's 30.0/9.0-15 R C07 drag radial, won this one early when his
opponent left early resulting in a red light infraction. So David
Rampy's amazing season continues with his eighth National Event win
and his first-ever National Event win in Stock. Rampy has now won
National Events in five different NHRA classes.
SUPER COMP
In Super Comp, a pair of Hoosier-shod drivers locked horns to
determine a winner. Rick Beckstrom, using Hoosier's 33.0/16.5-15S C07
drag tire, met George Scott in the Super Comp final where Scott was
making his first-ever finals appearance. Beckstrom nailed the tree
with a .002 reaction time to Scott's .029 RT to get the early edge.
Beckstrom then posted a fantastic 8.906 ET (8.90 index) for a .008
package to take the win over Scott who posted an 8.888 ET (-.012). It
was Rick Becktrom's second National Event win of his career in Super
Comp.
Hoosier Drag Racing Product Manager Faron Lubbers
commented on Beckstrom's win, "I congratulate Rick and Patti on
their win. Rick drove a great race and Patti did a wonderful job of
dialing the car."
SUPER GAS
In Super Gas, Brian Smith had to settle for runner-up honors after
breaking out in the finals.
Hoosier Racing Tire Corp. wishes to thank all the
drivers who competed at this year's 16th annual FRAM-Autolite NHRA
Nationals using USA-made Hoosier tires, particularly those making it
to their respective class finals.
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