News and Media Releases

First-Round Loss In Carolina Nationals

20/09/2009

Quaker State Driver Maintains Points Lead with Five Races Remaining

The NHRA Funny Car Series returned to action this weekend with the first event in the six-race Countdown to 1. Qualifying for the NHRA Carolinas Nationals began on Friday, September 18 with the elimination rounds run on Sunday. Pedregon got off to a slow start and had his day end early after suffering a first-round loss.

However, the Quaker State driver was able to maintain the top spot in the championship points standings with just five races remaining in the season.

Pedregon experienced trouble early when he came to the line for his first qualifying run when the Quaker State driver began his burnout and something went wrong with the car. After looking under the hood the team decided to abort the run and take no time. In the second qualifying run, the Quaker State driver just needed to make a clean pass to get in the show. Pedregon did just that moving into the 11th spot after the day was done.

During Saturday's qualifying rounds, the Brownsburg, Indiana native got off to a strong start after making a great run in the third round and moving all the way up to the third spot. Following the fourth a final run, Pedregon found himself in the fourth position going into Sunday's elimination rounds.

Unfortunately Sunday's results were not as good as Saturday's as Pedregon found himself eliminated after the first round. Paired up with Matt Hagan, Pedregon was a little behind out of the gate but made up the distance at the 330-foot mark. However Hagan was able to pull away again and take the win.

Next up for Pedregon and the Quaker State team is the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex in Dallas, Texas. Racing action begins on Thursday, September 24 with elimination rounds on Sunday, September 27, 2009.