In the final rounds of qualifying at the Texas Sportsman Challenge, a
round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Houston Raceway Park,
Malcolm Wahle, Claremore, Okla., moved in to the No. 1 qualifier spot
in Top Alcohol Dragster. Top Alcohol Funny Car racer Tony Bartone,
Long Island City, N.Y., remained in the top spot in his class. Fields
in all classes are now set for eliminations on Sunday.
Wahle moved up from the No. 2 spot with a 5.348-second, 266.21 mph
pass. No. 2 qualifier Michael Manners of Willis, Texas, also improved
on Friday’s outing with a 5.383-second, 263.82 mph pass but it was not
enough to get him past Wahle. Friday’s top qualifier, Dallas’s Todd
Odom, did not better his numbers and slipped into the third qualifying
spot. Wahle will take on No. 8 qualifier Karl Brounkowski, Magnolia,
Texas, in the opening round of eliminations.
Bartone also failed to improve on his opening day run of 5.666 seconds
at 257.92 mph but it was still enough to keep him atop the field.
Corpus Christi, Texas, racer Steve Burck moved from the No. 3 spot into
No. 2 with a 5.766-second, 249.67 mph lap. Bartone will square off
against the defending division champion Steve Harker of Gainesville,
Ga., in round one of eliminations.