World
champion drag racer Jay Payne used the quickest and fastest pass of the
weekend to beat Brian Thiel for the Top Alcohol Funny Car title of the
NHRA Division 6 points meet, which was held over one week from the
rain-battered race in Woodburn, Ore.
It was Payne's first victory for new title sponsor FireIce, which inked
him to a primary deal in May. The trophy race was run during the final
round of qualifying for this weekend's NHRA Northwest Nationals at
Pacific Raceways.
"I'll admit I was really nervous before the race," Payne said. "The
track was hot and greasy so you never know what it's going to give you.
At the same time, Brian had run career-best numbers during his last two
qualifying passes before he raced us so I knew he was coming on strong.
We had to go-for-it."