IHRA: Romine Qualifies 2nd at IHRA Summer Nationals

5 July 1998

CORDOVA, ILL-- The rain that washed out Friday Top Fuel qualifying at the IHRA Summer Nationals at Cordova Dragway Park past to the east Saturday, allowing the Kings of the Sport two completed qualifying sessions.

Defending IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Paul Romine and his CARQUEST Top Fuel dragster qualified in the #2 position with a 4.918/285.83. In round one of final eliminations, he will face #7 qualifier Danny Dunn, who qualified with a 5.066/268.44.

Romine defeated Dunn in the semi-finals at the last IHRA event, the Southern Nationals in Darlington, S.C. Final eliminations for the Summer Nationals are set to begin 12 noon Central Daylight Time.

Top Fuel qualifying final order

1. Herbert        4.887/297.29
2. ROMINE
3. DePorter    4.923/295.40
4. Lampus      4.950/295.08  (rookie debut)
5.. TJ Jr.           4.964/295.34  (IHRA points leader)
6. Bieneman   4.977/288.70
7. D. DUNN
8. Litton            5.133/289.25

DNQ: Mike Ranney(Colorado Raider), Luigi Novelli, Jim Bailey (Snap-on car #2), Jack Ostrander, Steve Smith (2nd consecutive IHRA DNQ)