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INDIANAPOLIS – Joey Martin and former Top Fuel national record holder Shelly Anderson will meet in today's AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge final for the rescheduled Memphis event, which is to be run in conjunction with last-shot U.S. Nationals qualifying.
Martin, driving the Mustang that Mike Ashley wheeled to the 2005 championship, and Anderson, driving a Valvoline Dodge that is a twin to husband Jay's car, both have run in the 6.0s in Indianapolis – a vast improvement over the oppressive heat and humidity present in Memphis, where 6.20s were considered quick.
Anderson ripped off a 6.07 in the second round in a win over Thomas Patterson. Martin reeled off back-to-back 6.0s, including a 6.06 in a semifinal win over Jay Payne that will give him lane choice over Shelly Payne in the final.
In U.S. Nationals qualifying, Martin's 6.06 has him in the No. 4 spot, just ahead of Shelly Anderson's 6.07. Ray Commisso has paced the field all weekend with an outstanding 6.01, and Tony Pontieri and Joshua Hernandez are second and third, respectively. Commisso not only has the quickest run of the event; he also has the second-quickest, a 6.02.
It takes a 6.23 – a time that would have fallen just short of the No. 1 spot in Memphis –to make the field in Indianapolis. A 6.12 or quicker is necessary to make the top half of the field, and five competitive drivers are on the outside looking in with a single session remaining: Burton Auxier, Steve Engel, veteran Troy Critchley, Harold Laird, and Andy McCoy.
The final session of qualifying is slated for 2:00, with the first round of eliminations at 5:45 p.m.
Martin, Anderson in "Memphis" final
INDIANAPOLIS – Joey Martin and former Top Fuel national record holder Shelly Anderson will meet in today's AMS Staff Leasing Pro Mod Challenge final for the rescheduled Memphis event, which is to be run in conjunction with last-shot U.S. Nationals qualifying.
Martin, driving the Mustang that Mike Ashley wheeled to the 2005 championship, and Anderson, driving a Valvoline Dodge that is a twin to husband Jay's car, both have run in the 6.0s in Indianapolis – a vast improvement over the oppressive heat and humidity present in Memphis, where 6.20s were considered quick.
Anderson ripped off a 6.07 in the second round in a win over Thomas Patterson. Martin reeled off back-to-back 6.0s, including a 6.06 in a semifinal win over Jay Payne that will give him lane choice over Shelly Payne in the final.
In U.S. Nationals qualifying, Martin's 6.06 has him in the No. 4 spot, just ahead of Shelly Anderson's 6.07. Ray Commisso has paced the field all weekend with an outstanding 6.01, and Tony Pontieri and Joshua Hernandez are second and third, respectively. Commisso not only has the quickest run of the event; he also has the second-quickest, a 6.02.
It takes a 6.23 – a time that would have fallen just short of the No. 1 spot in Memphis –to make the field in Indianapolis. A 6.12 or quicker is necessary to make the top half of the field, and five competitive drivers are on the outside looking in with a single session remaining: Burton Auxier, Steve Engel, veteran Troy Critchley, Harold Laird, and Andy McCoy.
The final session of qualifying is slated for 2:00, with the first round of eliminations at 5:45 p.m.
