After a slight rain delay, the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Season got under way in dramatic fashion. Qualifying thirteenth (4.784 at 317.27 mph) in what became the quickest Funny Car field in NHRA history, Cruz Pedregon and his Advance Auto Parts Nitro Funny Car, headed into Sunday’s final eliminations with a classic first round match up against reigning Funny Car champion John Force. Force, qualifying in the fifth position, had lane choice, but Crew Chief Wayne Dupuy had the right set up which enabled Pedregon to make a solid run of 4.736 at 321.65 mph to beat Force and advance to the quarter-finals.
In the quarter-finals, Cruz faced Mike Ashley. Both drivers got off the line even, but fewer car problems allowed Ashley to take the win. Ashley’s 5.80 @ 261.70 mph beat Pedregon’s 5.553 @ 173.63 mph.
“This was a very good weekend for the Advance Auto Parts Race Team†stated Cruz Pedregon. “I am proud of our team as we fought through qualifying sessions, which turned out to be the quickest field set in NHRA history, and then to come out on Sunday in the first round and beat Force. You always get up for a race against Force and that was a big win to start the 2007 season. In the second round, we just ran into a parts failure (head gasket), but Wayne (Crew Chief Wayne Dupuy), in the short time he has been with the team, has really got a handle on the car and I am excited about the potential for this Advance Auto Parts race team. I am looking forward to Phoenix. â€
In 2006, Cruz Pedregon and the Advance Auto Parts Race Team once again finished in the top 10 in the NHRA point standings, which included a win in Las Vegas.
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