Riesterer
Doug Riesterer proved he is plenty ready for eliminations after an incredible run during the final qualifying session on Saturday afternoon at Memphis International Raceway for the Memphis Drags.
With pristine temperatures and conditions popping up in Memphis, Riesterer and points leader Bob Rahaim had an excellent side-by-side pass in Pro Nitrous, with Riesterer going 3.82 to take the No. 1 spot heading into eliminations.
Rahaim delivered a 3.84 and proved he also prepared for eliminations on a gorgeous
Taylor
Frankie Taylor and Jason Scruggs started the final qualifying session in Pro Extreme with a bang, too, as Taylor went 3.643 to become the No. 1 qualifier. Scruggs followed with a 3.654 to slip into the second position, but Taylor put together an incredible pass to set a new track record, going 209 mph in the process.
Billy Glidden stayed as the No. 1 qualifier in Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5 and he continued to get better, going 3.93 in outstanding conditions on Saturday afternoon.
But while Glidden went right down the track, most everyone else applied too much power and struggled to get down the track.
Teammates Todd Moyer and Lamar Swindoll Jr. meet in the first round, with Glidden getting the winner in the semifinals of the 8-car field.
Casey Stemper and Eric McKinney traded blows in the final qualifying session in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, with Stemper running a 4.087 to grab No. 1. But McKinney closed out the session with a 4.079 – just like he figured what the bike could run – at 173.03 mph to finish as the No. 1 qualifier yet again.
The much cooler temperatures were plenty evident in Extreme Pro Stock, where there was plenty of action at the top of the field. It was Doug Kirk who made a big jump first, going from 4.17 to a 4.105 that had him momentarily No. 1.
Matt Bertsch bumped him off with a 4.012, but that didn’t last long as Pete Berner was the first in the 4.00s with a 4.097.
But points leader Cary Goforth had the last laugh in qualifying, going a blistering 4.079 at 177.67 mph to break the track record and take the No. 1 spot.
The class featured a number of massive improvements, giving a good indication of what is
Tutterow
to come in eliminations.
Kirk will meet last night’s No. 1 qualifier John DeFlorian in the first round, while Dean Goforth and John Montecalvo also match up.
Todd Tutterow turned in an outstanding performance in his turbocharged ’70 Duster during the final qualifying session in Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified. The former world champion jumped to the No. 1 qualifier spot with an incredible 3.906 at 204.23 mph.
Tutterow will face Dave Roemer in the first round. Roemer qualified with a 4.01, making him the only driver in the class not to reach the 3-second zone. Dan Stevenson improved to a 3.947 and will face the red-hot Mike Janis in a great first-round matchup.
Ronnie Davis maintained the No. 1 spot in Summit Racing Top Sportsman, as his 4.074 didn’t get any serious threats.
Lizzy Musi did slip into the field, running a 4.293 on her last pass to get in at No. 15.
The 4.318 qualifying bump also makes it the third-quickest qualifying field in Summit Racing Top Sportsman history.
(Photos by ADRL/Richards)
