[coverattach=1]NORWALK, Ohio, June 27, 2009 - Jerry Toliver drove the CANIDAE/Lucas Oil Funny Car to the 10th qualifying position for tomorrow's eliminations at the Third annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals at Summit Motorsports Park, matching his season-best effort earlier this year at Phoenix. He drove the Jim Dunn Racing entry to an elapsed time of 4.279 seconds at 280.72 in last night's second session which held up for 10th on the Funny Car grid. Toliver's speed was second only to No. 2 qualifier Robert Hight's 286.07 mph.
"Hey, at least we were No. 1 for a pair," Toliver quipped. "I guess it's better to be knocked off of No. 1 than to have never been qualified No. 1 in the first place. Big Jim (team owner/crew chief Dunn) and the guys have been working hard trying to sneak up on this CANIDAE car, and unfortunately it's just been a slow process. Our results haven't shown it, but we know we've been gaining on it each race, and this is a good start to the race weekend.
"Now the challenge is to keep repeating strong runs like that and start going some rounds on Sunday. It's taken some time and been challenging, but I think we're ready to see some strong, consistent runs from the CANIDAE car."
In tomorrow's first round Toliver faces John Force for the fourth time this season, the third time the pair have met in an opening-round match-up. Force's teammate Mike Neff is qualified No. 1 with a 4.190 elapsed time at279.73 mph.
CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods is committed to sharing the message of "Responsible Pet Ownership" through proper care and nutrition. CANIDAE provides its valued customers and their pets with the highest standard of excellence for product quality, palatability and customer satisfaction.
"Hey, at least we were No. 1 for a pair," Toliver quipped. "I guess it's better to be knocked off of No. 1 than to have never been qualified No. 1 in the first place. Big Jim (team owner/crew chief Dunn) and the guys have been working hard trying to sneak up on this CANIDAE car, and unfortunately it's just been a slow process. Our results haven't shown it, but we know we've been gaining on it each race, and this is a good start to the race weekend.
"Now the challenge is to keep repeating strong runs like that and start going some rounds on Sunday. It's taken some time and been challenging, but I think we're ready to see some strong, consistent runs from the CANIDAE car."
In tomorrow's first round Toliver faces John Force for the fourth time this season, the third time the pair have met in an opening-round match-up. Force's teammate Mike Neff is qualified No. 1 with a 4.190 elapsed time at279.73 mph.
CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods is committed to sharing the message of "Responsible Pet Ownership" through proper care and nutrition. CANIDAE provides its valued customers and their pets with the highest standard of excellence for product quality, palatability and customer satisfaction.
