News and Media Releases

Strong Qualifying Run In Topeka

31/05/2009

Second-Round Loss Ends Two-Time Champion’s Day Early

Tony Pedregon and the Quaker State team headed to Topeka, Kansas for the running of the O'Reilly NHRA Summer Nationals this weekend for the first of three events in a row. The Quaker State team was still looking for their first win of the season and has been consistently inching their way toward victory in the past several events.

Racing action began on Friday with the first two of four rounds of qualifying. Pedregon had two strong qualifying runs during Friday's rounds that put the two-time champion in the third spot overall going into Saturday's rounds. In the third round of qualifying, the Quaker State driver got a little loose and had to ease off the throttle. Experiencing a little trouble with his fourth and final pass, Pedregon was able to maintain that third spot going into Sunday's elimination rounds.

Facing off again Robert Hight in the round one of eliminations, Pedregon turned in a good pass that got the Quaker State Impala the win advancing him into the second round of eliminations.

In round two, the Brownsburg, Indiana native was paired up against Jack Beckman. Pedregon was ahead before the half-track point but began to fade just a bit from that point allowing Beckman to take the lead and win the round. Pedregon's day was ended with the second-round loss.

The NHRA Funny Car Series returns to action next weekend for the running of the United Association Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Speedway in Chicago, Illinois June 4 - 7.