SCELZI SUGGESTS SECRETS

Gary Scelzi, driver of the Oakley sponsored Dodge Stratus Funny Car, was nipped at the finish in the first round by John Force, but said his team "learned a lot of stuff" at the St. Louis event.

"We ran part of the new stuff that we're going to be trying. We'll have everything in place by Denver. I honestly believe that nobody will want to park next to the Oakley Dodge come Sonoma," Scelzi predicted. "We showed a lot of promise. When we get the rest of this stuff, we'll continue to see improvement. I wish I could tell everyone what it's all about, but I don't want folks to know." -- David Harris

MEA CULPA FOR KARP

In his third race as a professional, Arnie Karp and his Artisan Home Entertainment "Terminator 2 - Extreme DVD" team checked the first box off the list by wedging their way into a tough race field, in the No. 15 spot.

In round one, Karp was paired against number-two qualifier Dean Skuza, but was simply too quick at the tree to make it a race, as his reaction time beat the green light by about two-tenths of a second.

"My guys worked so hard, and I let them down," Karp said. "The driver has to pull his weight around here, just like every crew member has to, and today I just didn't do it. We let it get away, and I feel so badly for these guys."

PRO STOCK

KRISHER CRUSHES COMPETITION

Ron Krisher earned his first win of the season, and his second career victory at Gateway International Raceway, driving his Valvoline Cavalier past Allen Johnson in the final round of the Sears Craftsman Nationals. Krisher's win also gave Chevrolet its 115th all-time NHRA Pro Stock victory.

Krisher's winning advantage came at the starting line where his Chevrolet beat Johnson out of the blocks with a .026 reaction time. He streaked across the finish line with an elapsed time of 6.843 seconds at 201.64 mph, with Johnson's Dodge following in 6.840

ADVERTISEMENT

seconds at 201.73 mph. The margin of victory for the Krisher Chevrolet was .025 of a second. -- Jeff Romack

MOPAR MAKES IT

Allen Johnson wielded his Mopar Parts Dodge Stratus to the car's first Pro Stock final at the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals at Gateway International Raceway, before falling to Ron Krisher.

"We can't fuss because it was a good weekend," said a dejected Johnson. "I've just struggled all year with those new bulbs. It was all I had on my mind on that last run -- I didn't want to red light. You just can't race like that, and I have to figure out a way to get that out of my mind.

"Runner up is a lot better than 38 other people here," Johnson added. "You always want to win every race, but if you can go to at least the semis every week, you're going to be right there in the points hunt. The season is just half over. I think we're on to something with these new Stratus cars." -- David Harris