News and Media Releases

Pedregon Makes It To Second Round

01/11/2009

Quaker State Driver heads into Final Event in the Third Position in Point Standings

After taking a couple of weeks off, the NHRA Funny Car Series returned to action this weekend for the Ninth annual NHRA Las Vegas Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Racing action began Friday with the first two of four qualifying sessions. In his first run of the weekend, Tony Pedregon made a good, solid pass in the Quaker State Impala putting himself in the top-five of the qualifying run down. A second run netted another solid pass good enough to keep the Quaker State driver in the top-five as he sat fourth spot going into Saturday's rounds.

Saturday's session proved to be just as good as the two-time champion was able to maintain his top-five position and remained in the fourth spot for Sunday's elimination rounds.

Facing off  against Jeff Arend in the first round of eliminations, Pedregon got beat out of the gate but the Brownsburg, Indiana native was able to pull even and started to pull away before losing a cylinder. However he was able to continue to extend his lead and take the win moving into round two.

Unfortunately Pedregon's second round didn't fare as well as his opening run. Paired with Del Worsham, the Quaker State driver was behind from the green light but was able to close the gap after the 330-foot mark. He still came up a little short and had to take the loss ending his day.

Next up for the NHRA Funny Car Series is the final race of the 2009 season. The Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals are set for November 12 – 15 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona. Qualifying rounds are set to start on Friday with elimination rounds scheduled for Sunday, November 15.