SONOMA, California -- The Schuck’s Auto Supply NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., last weekend was a wet and dreary one! Qualifying was completely washed out on Friday and only one complete qualifying run got in on Saturday, resulting in the field being set on points and the top qualifiers in each field.
According to the weather forecast at the beginning of the day, there was 100% chance of rain, but some way, somehow, the racing gods were smiling upon us long enough to hold the rain off long enough to get all rounds of racing in. Now, don’t get me wrong, there were a few showers which delayed racing a couple different occasions, but all professional rounds were able to be completed.
However, only one Ringers racer was able to walk up onto the stage in Winner’s Circle and that was Pro Stock racer Dave Connolly.
Denver race winner Allen Johnson was Connolly’s opponent in the final round. Although A.J. left the light first, Connolly chased him down at the 60-foot mark, never looking back on his way to his third victory of the season, 6.649/206.20 mph to 6.682/206.23 mph. Connolly also secured a spot in the Pro Stock “Countdown to the Championship” berth heading into Sonoma this weekend.
Brandon Bernstein hoped to pick up his fifth Wally of the season in Seattle on Sunday, but unfortunately will have to wait until another race. While Bernstein’s Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster was predominantly quicker, his opponent Tony Schumacher was able to get a better light than Bernstein. Shoe’s win wasn’t by much over Bernstein, only two feet, 4.607/307.79 mph to 4.558/328.86 mph.
NHRA returns to the beautiful and bountiful wine country at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., this weekend for the Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals.
The NASCAR Nextel Cup and Craftsman Truck Series both had the weekend off, but the NASCAR Busch Series raced at Gateway International Raceway just outside of St. Louis on Saturday night.
Ringers’ supporter Todd Kluever didn’t have the starting position he probably had hoped for with a 26th, but his finish was much better. Running as high as second during the Gateway 250, Kluever was able to pilot his No. 16 3M Ford Fusion home to a much needed 11th place finish.
With Kluever’s limited Busch schedule this year, he will not be racing this weekend at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. His next race will be at the Circuit Guilles Villeneuve, Montreal for the inaugural Montreal 200.
This weekend’s race in Sonoma marks the third and final race of the Western Swing and the end of the six-week straight tour. Full Sonoma details of racing and wine tasting will be available for view when I return to Indianapolis. Cheers!
About Ringers Gloves
Ringers Gloves, Official Gloves of NHRA and title sponsor for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, is a full-line manufacturer of high-end, task specific gloves, SFI 3.3/1, 3.3/10, 3.3/20 racing gloves, UnderX protective undergarments and rdigs pit boots.
Keep up with your favorite Ringers racers in ‘07 by logging onto www.ringersgloves.com for photos and highlights!
