15th O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals
(Sep. 19-22nd, 2002) Memphis, TN
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Results | Photos
NATIONALS NOTEBOOK:
Tony Pedregon wins FC for the second time in six days and with that moves precariously close (80 points) to his boss John Force on top of the NHRA POWERade points podium. Pedregon beats Del Worsham in the final round to avenge Worsham’s win over Force in the semi-final round. Pedregon’s victory comes from the pole and he has top speed of the meet at 316.23 mph. John Force sets low ET of the event in round two when he runs 4.855 secs.
O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals gets off to a late start after rain pounds the facility for most of Friday cutting short Professional qualifying. Pro cars get only three of four scheduled qualifiers in.
Larry Dixon pads his points lead over Kenny Bernstein atop the POWERade Top Fuel chase when he wins for the 8th time this season -- but the first time since June. Dixon beats out recent Mac Tools U.S. Nationals champion Tony Schumacher in the final round running a 4.600 secs at 318.69 mph. Australia’s Andrew Cowin powers to both low ET (4.594 secs) and top speed (319.75 mph) driving the Gwynn & Steinbrenner N.Y. Yankees car but falls in round two against Doug Herbert.
Jeg Coughlin Jr. closes in on points leader Jim Yates in Pro Stock when he wins for the fourth time in the last six races. Coughlin Jr. denies defending IHRA Pro Stock World Champion Gene Wilson his first taste of victory in NHRA when his Chevy Cavalier out powers the Team Mopar Dodge Neon in a close match, 6.849 secs to 6.877 secs. Wilson’s runner-up is however his best finish so far driving for team owner David Nickens.
AMS Pro Mod cars are back in action at Memphis with 17 cars showing for the 8-available slots. Current IHRA points leader, Shannon “Iceman” Jenkins, wins for the 4th time in eight NHRA races this season when he takes his nitrous-injected Awesome Motorsports Camaro to victory beating Mike Ashley’s supercharged Willys in the final round. Shannon wins the event from the pole (6.221 secs/low ET) and handles both Bill Kuhlmann and Thomas Patterson in earlier rounds. The 10-race AMS Pro Mod series will round out their season at the upcoming events at Dallas and Las Vegas.
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