First round of qualifying is done...

The first round of qualifying in Phoenix is done. And the weather is hot, hot hot...

So it doesn't look like we will even run the second round of qualifying. I explain that in a second.

But later in the day, some time around 11:30 to noon Phoenix time, with the temperature even hotter, we will run the first round of Class.

The reason we won't run the second round of qualifying is actually pretty simple. We really don't need to make another run. Our first run was at 9.88 seconds, and 133.5 mph.

There are no results posted anywhere yet, but I have to expect that we are Very, Very close to being most under index at 1.112 under. So there is no need to beat up the car with another qualifying run. We can just go back to the pits, relax, charge the battery, refuel the car and get mentally ready for the Class competition. And we are far enough under, that if someone wants to get further under index, they will be flirting with horsepower on Monday.  Top qualifier is good becuase it offers a possible bye somewhere along the race. And we really want to win Class.

This is a really big deal my friends. If we can take down just one more Class win, then we are sitting pretty for National Class Champions. And because I am not at the track with Keith and the car, it is like waiting for a baby to be born.

HERE IS NEWS: 1:22 Ohio time.

They finally posted the first round, and we are not first as I had hoped. Drew Skillman wheeled his AA/SA Mustang to 1.119 under.

So we are currently qualified at number two, sandwiched between two AA/SA Mustangs.

MORE NEWS: 3:30 PM Ohio Time

The second round of Stock Qualifying has been posted and nothing changed at the top.

In our Class A/SA , there  are only three cars. Seven were "signed up" or at least they were listed on the NHRA Entry List for Phoenix, but at least one changed to B/SA, and I don't see a couple of them including Big Daddy Don Garlits, who I thought would be there, but do hope is in Las Vegas.

But here is how we stand. So now, all we need to do is go race and win.

A/SA 5035 Keith Lynch, Greenville OH, '10 Challenger      9.888 11.00  -1.112
A/SA   71 Rusty Hall, Chandler AZ, '67 Mustang           10.356 11.00  -0.644
A/SA  726 Dave Gertschen, Glendale AZ, '01 Firebird      10.562 11.00  -0.438

MORE NEWS: 4:05 Ohio Time

First round of Class is over and we are still alive.

We had a single run (BYE) as a result of being a higher qualifier than the other two. Keith took it easy on the car and ran 14 something. So we run Rusty Hall who beat Dave Gertshcen. The Finals will be run in about an hour.

Once again, we just need to go race and win.

MORE NEWS: 5:00 PM Ohio Time

We did it!   We ran Rusty Hall, and we won the race. We won A/SA Class in Phoneix and have another Wally for my Mantle. And we are now in the points lead for National Stock Champion. So now, we just need to go some rounds in Stock in Las Vegas, and we clinch all of the tie breakers too.

God Bless, and Race Safely.

David