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Mohnton, Pa., (Sept. 29, 2006) - Tommy Johnson, Jr. drove his Don "the Snake" Prudhomme-owned Skoal Racingsm Monte Carlo into the No. 11qualifying position Friday at Maple Grove Raceway.
The car is qualified, sure, but Johnson said there is more to come when qualifying for the 22nd annual Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals continues Saturday.
"During the first run our car ran the same half-track E.T. as (provisional No. 1qualifier) Mike Ashley," Johnson, the 1999 winner of this event, said. "It was on a great run but the car started to spin the tires and I shut it off early. It still ran a good number. We need to address a few things but we're really close."
Crew chief Mike Green tuned the Skoal Racingsm Monte Carlo to a 4.821-second pass at 283.13 mph in the first round. The car smoked the tires before half-track on the second run, recording an 8.465 pass at 108.67. Johnson said the weather might have been the reason the race was postponed two weeks but now will only help the team move up the qualifying ladder on Saturday.
"Saturday's weather is supposed to be a lot like it was today so we should be able to take what we learned today and run in the 4.70s in the first session and then make a run for the top spot in the second and final session," Johnson said. "We had a good day today but there are better numbers coming our way tomorrow."
Qualifying continues Saturday at noon & 3 p.m. (ET). ESPN2 will air qualifying highlights of the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals for two hours starting at 4 p.m. (ET).
Q1 4.821 ET, 283.13 MPH No. 6
Q2 8.465 ET, 108.67 MPH No. 11
JOHNSON JR. QUALIFIES IN THE NO. 11 SPOT FRIDAY AT MAPLE GROVE RACEWAY
Mohnton, Pa., (Sept. 29, 2006) - Tommy Johnson, Jr. drove his Don "the Snake" Prudhomme-owned Skoal Racingsm Monte Carlo into the No. 11qualifying position Friday at Maple Grove Raceway.
The car is qualified, sure, but Johnson said there is more to come when qualifying for the 22nd annual Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals continues Saturday.
"During the first run our car ran the same half-track E.T. as (provisional No. 1qualifier) Mike Ashley," Johnson, the 1999 winner of this event, said. "It was on a great run but the car started to spin the tires and I shut it off early. It still ran a good number. We need to address a few things but we're really close."
Crew chief Mike Green tuned the Skoal Racingsm Monte Carlo to a 4.821-second pass at 283.13 mph in the first round. The car smoked the tires before half-track on the second run, recording an 8.465 pass at 108.67. Johnson said the weather might have been the reason the race was postponed two weeks but now will only help the team move up the qualifying ladder on Saturday.
"Saturday's weather is supposed to be a lot like it was today so we should be able to take what we learned today and run in the 4.70s in the first session and then make a run for the top spot in the second and final session," Johnson said. "We had a good day today but there are better numbers coming our way tomorrow."
Qualifying continues Saturday at noon & 3 p.m. (ET). ESPN2 will air qualifying highlights of the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals for two hours starting at 4 p.m. (ET).
Q1 4.821 ET, 283.13 MPH No. 6
Q2 8.465 ET, 108.67 MPH No. 11
