JENKINS NEW VIPER WITH PAINT
Shannon Jenkins, known as “The Iceman,” for his cool demeanor
under pressure, showed up in Rockingham with his Dodge Viper and trailer
beautifully prepped by Greg Ozubko in his image, but the performance
on the track just wasn’t there this time. As in Darlington, the
third round of qualifying at Rockingham was washed out, leaving Mitch
Stott on the bump spot with a 6.461-seconds lap. Jenkins mustered a
best of only 6.607 at 219.29 mph in his two attempts, good enough for
28th-place in the 39 Pro Mod entries on the grounds.
SOMEONE’S GONNA’ LOSE AN EYE! YI! YI!
A high-ranking IHRA official almost eliminated one of the sanctioning
body’s biggest Pro Mod stars before the hapless racer turned a
wheel on the Rockingham strip.
Quain Stott and his Inman, S.C.-based team showed up Thursday afternoon
to prepare their pit space, and when the official passed by on his rounds,
he playfully squirted the early arrivals with a high-powered water gun.
Stott says he prepared himself for the official’s return by filling
a few water balloons. In the ensuing battle, Stott took a direct water
blast to his left eye and although it hurt at the time, he said he never
gave it much thought.
After waking up Friday morning with blood all over his cheek and pillow,
however, he said he hightailed it down to the track paramedics.
Fortunately, Stott's vision was unaffected and he said it hurt, “only
when I poke my finger in there.” Despite the close call, Stott
said he bears no ill feelings for his assailant. “I don’t
think he even knows it happened.”
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Spotted
in Rockingham Saturday morning: Tommy Johnson Jr. trying Paul Romine’s
Top Fuel car on for size. Could this be the start of a two-car team
for Indianapolis-based Romine?