MAJOR MOVEMENTS ALONG THE TOP FUEL CUTLINE IN POWERADE COUNTDOWN TO
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Nos. 7 and 8 drivers in Top Fuel standings fail to
qualify; UPS team in good position
The
10th annual Torco Racing Fuels Route 66 NHRA Nationals will shake up
the Countdown to the Championship standings, particularly in Top Fuel,
where the seventh and eighth place drivers each failed to qualify.
The top qualifiers heading into Sunday's final eliminations, beginning
at 11 a.m., are Top Fuel's Tony Schumacher, Funny Car's Gary Scelzi,
Pro Stock's Greg Anderson, and Pro Stock Motorcycle's Andrew Hines, but
the story
surrounded those who didn't qualify.
In Top Fuel, No. 7 Dave Grubnic and No. 8 Whit Bazemore -- the last two
in if the 17-race regular season ended today -- each failed to qualify,
opening the door for ninth-place Cory McClenathan and 10th-place Bob
Vandergriff.
Vandergriff's UPS team stands to make the biggest move. It already
passed McClenathan's Fram team with better qualifying position and
Vandergriff can pass Grubnic and Bazemore as well with a first round
win Sunday.