[Turquai]

Originally Posted by NewsBot

Harry Gerb was on point all day with .040, .011, and .032 reaction times under his belt. Harry ran 8.540, 8.554, and 8.541 passes, all impressive and well deserving of the win for the day, putting the H&J Firebird back in the Winner’s circle, a rare occurrence when his wife is at the races (just kidding, Jackie). Harry is normally at the top of the qualifying ladder and was happy to be able to finish the job and take home the win.
10.0 Index

Just like 8.50 Index, 10.0 had a lower amount of guys within hundredths of the Index. At the bottom end of that pack in the #5 qualifying spot was Christian Benedict with a 10.066. Mark Plucinski, points leader so far, ran an 10.043, while Steve Porter squeaked by him for the #3 spot with a 10.042. Rich Sosnowski took the #2 spot with led a 10.039, and at the top was no stranger to #1 qualifier, Carey Cable, with a 10.032. Just because the rest of the field was not in the 10.0x range does not mean they didn’t try, led nor does qualifying order give anyone much of an advantage in 10.0 considering how the field is entirely seasoned racers. Brian Grinnell (S&W Race Cars), a relative newbie that has been doing quite well lately, qualified 11th but then unfortunately hurt the motor in the Wagon and ended his hot day early.

The first round of 10.0 Index included the end of the day for quite a few racers that we are used to seeing later in the rounds. Carey Cable, the #1 qualifier, made a quick exit in the first round after going .007 red against Rob Ward. Other wins in the first round went to Rich Sosnowski, who took the win light after a .033 redlight by Michael Copenhaver. Tom Wood, back in action, was able to drive around Ray Wallis, a 10.162 for the win. Christian Benedict nailed the tree with a .009 and caught Mo Bolduc sleeping, Mo not able to catch up and Benedict’s 10.120 was good for the win. Even with a .001 reaction time, Keith Reis Jr. fell to Carl Ungaro who had the speed and came around with a 10.125 to Reis’ 10.183, a tight race with Ungaro’s .036 reaction time. Brandon Diemicke took the stripe and the win over #3 qualifier Steve Porter, a 10.047 for the win. Mark Plucinski got a single in the first round due to Brian Grinnel’s broken car.

More red lights in the second round would end the day for two additional racers, Christian Benedict and Rich Sosnowski. Mark Plucinski faced Benedict, he ran it out the back with a 9.990 pass, dialed in perfect for the next round. Carl Ungaro took the win over Rich Sosnowski who also went .004 red, bout would have had a tough time beating Ungaro’s 10.020 with .034 light package. Tom Wood nailed the tree with an .007 and never looked back on Brandon Diemicke, moving on with an impressive 10.034 pass.

Semi final action brought Rob Ward and points leader Mark Plucinski to the line. Ward left with an .011 advantage, and Plucinski never caught up. Ward took the win over the #4 qualifier with a 10.119 to Mark’s 10.149. Tom Wood left on Carl Ungaro with another great light, a .011, but Ungaro was able to (literally) inch around him and Ungaro’s 10.015 was good for the win to WOod’s 10.077, an .020 margin of victory.

Rob Ward again enjoyed a starting line advantage, this time in the finals over Carl Ungaro, with a .019 advantage. We ended up with a double breakout situation, Ungaro taking the stripe trying to catch up but went too quick, his 9.965 fell to Ward’s 9.991, putting the truck in the Winner’s circle for the first time this season at Cecil County.

11.50 Index

Keith Huffman brought up the tail end of the qualifiers in the 11.5x range with an 11.542 pass, only to be bested by #2 Frank Newsome with an 11.518 and #1 Jim Schmidt with an 11.511. The rest of this 11 car field was not far off, we saw last month’s winner Steve Gurnick pulling double duty with Pro Dial in the #9 spot of 11.50, everyone would have to keep an eye out for him during eliminations.

During Eliminations, Jim Schmidt proved his #1 qualifier spot was no fluke by making an 11.519 pass with .026 reaction on a single in the first round. Keith Huffman ran a nice 11.553 pass taking out Greg Newsome, only to be eliminated by Steve Gurnick in the second round when he was caught dead late on the tree. Gurnick was deadly on the tree throughout eliminations, with .045, .019, .034, and .037 lights, earning him a trip to the final and ultimately the winner’s circle. In the final, Gurnick met #2 Qualifier Frank Newsome, who was dead late with a .205 reaction time and had no chance catching Gurnick. Congratulations Steve Gurnick for the second win in as many races, and also doubling up on the day by winning the Pro Dial class!
Pro Dial Winner: Steve Gurnick
Super Street Winner: Brandon Michaels
Top Sportsman Winner: Vonnie Mills
Pro Street Winner: Don Naser

When will the race take place in 2013?