Second Round Of Qualifying Complete At Memphis Drags III

Burton Auxier hopes this is the weekend he breaks through for his first win in 2012, and he’s off to a fine start in Pro Nitrous at the ADRL’s Memphis Drags III at Memphis International Raceway.

After two qualifying rounds on Friday, Auxier has separated himself from the Pro Nitrous pack, running an impressive 3.89 at 195.08 mph during the second round to take the top spot Friday afternoon. Points leader Bob Rahaim was second with a 3.943 and Jason Harris and his solid 3.946 had him third.

Brandon Pesz didn’t need to make a second pass in Pro Extreme to stay in the top spot, as his outstanding 3.689 at 207.21 mph from the first session kept him in front of 20 other PX cars.
But he does have company now as Jason Scruggs became the second driver to dip into the 3.60s with a 3.694 at 206.10 mph. Tommy D’Aprile improve to third with a 3.722.

Billy Glidden also didn’t make a second pass, but he deserved to bask in the 3.991 at 189.79 mph he put together in the heat of the day in Mickey Thompson Extreme 10.5. That’s good enough for the top spot, with Alan Pittman in second at 4.088. Glidden’s run made him the first XTF car in ADRL history to get into the 3-second zone in Memphis.

Eric McKinney holds a slight qualifying advantage over Paul Gast in Pro Extreme Motorcycle, who put together one of the best passes of his career with a 4.119 at 175 mph during the second qualifying session. McKinney remained on top with a strong 4.106 at 172 mph from his first pass. Terry Schweigert also improved to a 4.131 during his second pass.

A track record in Extreme Pro Stock was good enough to send John DeFlorian to the top spot, as he went 4.131 at 175 mph during his first run on Friday. John Montecalvo went 4.147 to sit second after two passes.

Adam Flamholc grabbed the top spot in Aeromotive Fuel Systems Pro Modified after two rounds, running 3.976 at 188 mph. Dan Stevenson, Pat Musi and Mike Janis all went 3.99 in their second passes.

Ronnie Davis and his 4.074 at 179 mph remains far in front in Summit Racing Equipment Top Sportsman. Bob Gulitti is next with a 4.167.

The third qualifying session will take place Friday evening, with the final qualifying session take place at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Eliminations will follow at 3:30 p.m.

(Photos by ADRL/Richards)