News and Media Releases

Loses In First Round Of Eliminations

11/10/2009

Quaker State Driver Still Fighting for Third Funny Car Championship

The NHRA made a stop at Virginia Motorsports Park this past weekend for the Virginia NHRA Nationals. With just three races remaining in the season Tony Pedregon and the Quaker State team hoped to bring the momentum from last week's final round appearance and continue to gain in the points. However, the team suffered a first round loss in eliminations ending their day earlier than they would have liked.

Racing action began at the Virginia track with qualifying rounds on Friday. The Quaker State driver made a nice opening pass followed by another strong run winding up the day 11th overall. Saturday's qualifying rounds were a little more challenging with the Brownsburg, Indiana native rattling his tires before halftrack causing him to have to lift during the day's first run. Pedregon returned to make a nice run on his fourth and final pass jumping into the top half of the field. With all rounds complete, the Quaker State driver ended up ninth overall.

As Sunday's elimination rounds got under way, Pedregon was paired up with Mike Neff for the first pass. Unfortunately the two-time champ lost traction almost immediately in the run costing him the race and ending his day only after the first round.

Pedregon remains in the third spot in the championship point standings. He is 48 markers out of first place with two races remaining in the season.
The NHRA will take a couple of weeks off before heading back to racing action for the Oct. 29 - Nov. 1 Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada.