VEGAS CLOSES ALCOHOL ENTRIES FOR LODRS EVENT
With a record 50 Top Alcohol entries (28 Top Alcohol Funny Car and 22 Top Alcohol Dragster) for the Nov. 2-5 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Short Line Express Markets event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, track officials have announced that no more entries will be accepted. The event already had been expanded by one day to accommodate the necessary time needed to make the Top Alcohol-class runs.
"We're at a point where the Top Alcohol car count is too big and we're going to begin calling teams that aren't in contention for the points and asking them to stay home," said
Chris Blair, LVMS Senior Director of Drag Racing Operations. "We're going to take a look at the Divisional and National Lucas Oil point standings and determine which participants are in contention for the point championships and also have a legitimate shot at qualifying for the race. If a racer doesn't meet the criteria, their entry will be declined. Last year, the bump in Top Alcohol Dragster was 5.50 seconds and Top Alcohol Funny Car was 5.74 seconds, and we're sure those numbers will improve this year. If a driver hasn't been able to consistently run quicker than the bump then this probably isn't the race for them to attend.”
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Only eight qualified positions are available in both the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car category. At this time, Top Alcohol Dragster has 22 entries and Top Alcohol Funny Car has 28 entries. In addition to those numbers, more than 900 cars in the other Lucas Oil categories will be competing in the final NHRA divisional event of the 2006 season.
The track will enforce an extremely strict zero-tolerance policy for oil and fluid leaks for this event for all classes. In addition, Top Alcohol pit spaces will be awarded based on 2006 national and divisional point standings. Only the top 16 in points for both Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny car will receive a spot in the track's pro pit/midway area. (James Drew file photo) [10-4-2006]
FOLEY LOOKING FORWARD TO ’07
After a crash last week at IHRA’s Caguya, Ontario, national event that left him with a broken ankle and leg, four cracked ribs, a separated shoulder and a concussion, Doug Foley will not be able to compete at this weekend’s Torco Racing Fuels NHRA Nationals in Richmond, VA.
Tim Lewis, Foley’s partner says, “In the general scheme of things, this is just a minor setback. We can rebuild and Doug is fine, which is the important thing right now.”
Foley, who will be a spectator at the Virginia race, said, “It’s probably going to break my heart not to be in a race car, but it might be hard with a cast on my leg anyway. Right now we’re just looking forward to rebuilding and getting back on track in 2007.” [10-4-2006]
