NHRA Pennzoil Nationals Victories Go to Head, Force, and Yates
6 October 1997
The big Top Fuel shootout at the Pennzoil Nationals, Topeka, KS, went not to the fastest terminal speed driver, but to the first guy to the finish line. Jim Head, Columbus, OH, ran a 4.677 et, 308.53 mph pass to beat Cory McLenathan, who had a 4.671, 312.17 run and lost. Funny Car once again went to John Force, Yorba Linda, CA, in a Mustang. Force is now on a roll, points-wise. Brash John ran a 5.172, 296.34 mph quarter mile to top Cruz Pedregon who ran/broke 7.002, 127.94. In Pro Stock, points leader Jim Yates, Firebird, bested Mark Osborne with a 6.969 et, 197.28 to Oswald's 7.047, 197.28.1997 NHRA Points Standings Top Fuel 1 Gary Scelzi 1546 2 Cory McLenathan 1411 3 Joe Amato 1351 4 Scott Kalitta 1136 5 Kenny Bernstein 1123 Funny Car 1 John Force 1603 2 Whit Bazemore 1265 3 Chuck Etchells 1169 4 Tony Pedregon 1120 5 Cruz Pedregon 1048 Pro Stock 1 Jim Yates 1753 2 Waren Johnston 1405 3 Kurt Johnson 1371 4 Bruce Allen 1036 5 Steve Schmidt 960Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel