14th Fram Autolite Nationals
Sonoma, CA. (Aug. 3-5th, 2001)
Notes |
Results | Photos
NATIONALS NOTEBOOK:
Winston drag racing’s gruelling mid-summer “Western Swing” wraps up at Sonoma California, as Sears Point International Raceway hosts NHRA’s third event in three weeks. Tricky track conditions, timing computer malfunctions and brisk winds dog the event.
Tom Martino finds victory lane in Pro Stock driving his Century 21-sponsored Pontiac Grand-Am. It is Martino’s third career win but his first since Brainerd in 1998. Martino beats a tire-shaking Mike Edwards in the final round.
Del Worsham climbs back into second place in NHRA Winston FC points when he wins for the third time this season. Del powers the C.S.K. Pontiac Firebird past a tire-smoking Jim Epler in the final round. Whit Bazemore who won 7 days earlier at Seattle paces FC qualifying. Bazemore’s pole (4.883 secs) is his second in the last three NHRA events. Tony Pedregon sets top speed in FC at 310.84 mph.
FC round one sees number three qualifier John Force get knocked out by Jim Epler. Epler delivers in the cockpit with a perfect .400 RT which makes his 5.076 secs a winner over Force’s 5.016 secs.
Top Fuel sees Kenny Bernstein emerge victorious for the 5th time this season. Bernstein wins from the pole and sets both low ET (4.560 secs) and top speed (319.45 mph). Bernstein’s “Bud King” takes out surprising finalist David Grubnic who has a terrific event driving John Mitchell’s Montana Express. Grubnic stays close to Bernstein until about half-track before his motor explodes.
Top Fuel racing also features an inspired effort by John Force team member Tim Gibson. Gibson, who doubles as driver for Bill Miller’s dragster, has trouble in qualifying but then unloads back-to-back impressive runs during eliminations to defeat Doug Kalitta and Tony Schumacher and take a strong semi final round finish. Gibson smoked his tires versus Grubnic in the semi-final pairing. Only 15 cars show for Top Fuel racing at the Fram Autolite Nationals.
Sportsman racing highlights include the first win in national event history by an A/ND classed car. Wayne Ramay, from Simi Valley CA earns that distinction in Competition eliminator after qualifying 6th. Ramay defeats
former NHRA Federal Mogul World Champion Andy Manna Jr., in the final round.
Federal Mogul Funny Car sees Doug Gordon remain red hot as he wins for the second week in a row driving his Chevy Camaro. Gordon, who beat Pat Austin in the final round at Seattle (July 29th) beats Austin’s Uncle Bucky in the final round at Sonoma: 5.877 secs to 5.899 secs. Steve Gasparrelli set both low ET and top speed in FMFC during qualifying: 5.797 secs and 248.25 mph.
Washington’s Mark Hentges wins an all supercharged FMD final round over Duane Shields. Title bout is a dandy with Hentges winning 5.503 secs 256.77 mph to 5.518 secs 256.06 mph. Shields had qualified on the pole with a 5.415 secs.
Immediately following the completion of the 2001 Fram Autolite Nationals, star drivers John Force and Gary Scelzi take part in a ceremonial bulldozing of the old track surface. That is to make way for $35M phase upgrade to the Bruton Smith-owned facility for next year.
