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NHRA: Rockingham NHRA Chev Fri Press Note

3 April 1998

CHUCK ETCHELLS, KENDALL/MA MA ROSA'S PIZZA/SUPERWINCH CAMARO Z28, is No. 3 qualifier this evening (5.359/281.51), in the first and only session run today. "It seems as though we dropped a cylinder on the 1-3-5-7 side about one and a half seconds into the run. I know the General (crew chief Tim Richards) wouldn't miss the tune-up by that much. Besides, the motor never went higher than 7400 rpm. Here it usually tops 7600, and the computer verified it. We'll be okay -- we'll just get after it tomorrow."

RON CAPPS, COPENHAGEN CAMARO Z28, is barely in the 8-car-only field, as No. 8 qualifier (11.338/80.27), after experiencing tire shake and shutting it off in his run. "The engine was really soft Roland (Leong, crew chief) said. The rpm didn't go as high as it should have at the hit of the throttle. Basically Roland said that he had the engine too backed down and it should have left it alone. It's part of the learning process. You don't know until you try something. Next time we will know. It shook really hard about one second into the run. When that happens you can't see very well, it's like being put into a paint shaker and it blurs your vision. It's hard to see then, especially at night. And you don't want to do anything that would take a pylon out and you'd have to replace the '98 Camaro body with another 98 Camaro body. Then the crew gets mad at you. We'll bring it out tomorrow and let 'er rip."

PRO STOCK

KURT JOHNSON, ACDELCO CAMARO Z28, is No. 3 qualifier with an outstanding pass of 6.960/198.32, to maintain his position as quickest and fastest Pro Stock Camaro driver in history.

LARRY MORGAN, RAYBESTOS CAMARO Z28, is No. 11, with a 7.004/196.54 pass.

TOP FUEL

LARRY DIXON, MILLER LITE TOP FUEL DRAGSTER, lost traction in his run, taking No. 7 qualifying spot, 9.998/81.01.