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 READING,
PA (September 12-16) -- A pair of Hoosier-shod drivers in the Top
Alcohol Funny Car final at the 18th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals
assured Team-Hoosier's perfect record in national events would remain in tact in the
class. Frank Manzo met Von Smith in the T/A Funny Car final in
Pennsylvania with six other Hoosier-shod drivers also making it to
their respective class finals. Not only has the Hoosier brand never
lost a final in T/A Funny Car national events in 2002, they have also
captured all but one regional final as well. The Hoosier brand has now amassed
32 regional event wins and 13 national event wins for a record of 45-1
in the finals in T/A Funny Car. Also making it to their respective
class finals were: Cliff Bozzelli, Top Alcohol Dragster; Kevin
Fogerty, Stock; Jim Morrison and Mike Mitchell, Super Comp; and Chuck
Rothermel, Super Gas.
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Cliff Bozzelli settled for runner-up honors in the final round when
his crew found a problem with the Bozz Baby Express dragster entering
the final contest. The team was forced to tow the car off without ever
firing the car.
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Another Top Alcohol Funny Car win for Team-Hoosier was a sure bet when
Frank Manzo met Von Smith in the T/A FC final with both drivers riding
on Hoosier tires. Smith, in the Jensen Audio Firebird got a jump at
the light with a .441 RT to Manzo's .480 RT. But Smith's blower belt
let go allowing Manzo to take the win with a 5.675 ET. Manzo's speed
in the final was 252.24 mph.
STOCK
In Stock, Kevin Fogerty carried the Hoosier banner to the final round.
Fogerty, using a pair of Hoosier 30.0/9.0-15 Radial C07 drag tires left
his opponent at the line with his .510 RT versus his adversary's .550 RT. Fogerty then backed that up with a 13.195 ET on a 13.18 dial
for a .015 difference which was more than good enough for the win. The
margin of victory was nearly five feet at the stripe.
SUPER COMP
Jim Morrison and Mike Mitchell met in the Super Comp final. Both
drivers ride atop Hoosier drag tires so this one was going to be
close. Morrison had the slightly better light with a .416 RT to
Mitchell's .425 RT to gain a narrow advantage. But when Mitchell
clocked in under the 8.90 index with a 8.897 ET (-.003) and Morrison
clocked in with a 8.915 ET (.015), the win went to Morrsion.
SUPER GAS
In Super Gas, Chuck
Rothermel took runner-up honors. The margin of victory was just four
feet in the final round.
Congratulations to the competitors at the 18th annual
Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, especially those trusting USA-made Hoosier
tires.
Just five events remain on the 2002 NHRA schedule.
Next stop on the NHRA trail is September 19-22, for the 15th annual
O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals in Memphis, TN.
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