It didn't get any easier for Samuel in the final round, where number-four qualifier James Clark was waiting. Clark, from Laurel, MS, left first, but Samuel drove around him when Clark's engine went sour just after the 1,000-foot mark, slowing him to 6.756 at 206.45 mph, while Samuel posted a winning 6.626 at 217.42 mph.

Lawrence Conley, who set the previous Pro Outlaw E.T. record of 6.556 secs on
his way to winning in Atlanta last year, lost in round one this time around.

MUSI MAKES IT LOOK EASY

Defending NMCA Pro Street champion Pat Musi started out right where he left off with a number-one qualifying pass of 6.651 secs at 211.30 mph to eclipse the 6.68 elapsed time record he set last April in St. Louis. After getting a bye in the first round due to only 15 cars qualifying, the Carteret, NJ-based nitrous engine builder stayed fast, going 6.680/212.29 in his 2000 Firebird to beat the 6.701/208.36 combo put together by number-eight qualifier Mike Steele. Musi then faced off against a red-lighting Paul Dailrepont in the semis and went even quicker to back up his qualifying pass and lower the E.T. record to 6.612 secs at 212.29 mph.

Comp Cams/TCI Engineering Pro Street winner Pat Musi said he had a brand-new
648 c.i. engine fresh off the dyno bolted into his Don Reems-owned 2000 Firebird.
"Now I can take it home, dissect it, and see what it looks like," he said.
"Then it'll be really fast."

On the other side of the ladder, Dan Parker was tearing it up in Musi's famous 1969 "Popeye" Camaro. Parker, who owns a chassis shop in Columbus, GA, that often does

ADVERTISEMENT

work for Musi, got the word he'd be racing just two day s earlier, and qualified number two with a 6.685-secs pass at 211.30 mph in his very first trip in the car. He then also got a bye in round one when his scheduled opponent broke, and easily beat Joe Bardtke in the quarters before edging past Justin Kalwei to set up a final-round match against his benefactor.

In a decidedly anti-climactic finish, Parker redlighted in the final, while Musi had a lethargic .707 light before his car got out of shape off the launch, then coasted through for a 13.564-secs win at just 61 mph. Regardless, Musi appeared happy with the results.

NEXT PAGE >>