Mike Coughlin, of Columbus, Ohio, erased Daniels' speed record. Coughlin clocked a 179.11-mile-an-hour run, 2.25-mph faster than the 176.86 Daniels ran last September. Still, Daniels said, "I think everybody's underestimated what the track can hold."

SUZUKIS LEAD
MOTORCYCLE FIELD

Shawn Gann, of Stoneville, N.C., set the track speed record for Pro Stock Motorcycles with Friday night's pass at 184.67 on his Suzuki. Angelle Savoie had low time with her 7.245 seconds (at 178.90 miles an hour), also on a Suzuki.

WHAT A TAG TEAM!

Chris Jericho was in the pits of the WWF Top Fuel team. If Jericho's presence doesn't bring better performance to Jerry Toliver's car, maybe Toliver will join Jericho in the squared circle.

SKUZA DRIVES TO EIGHTH

By David Harris

Dean Skuza drove his Mopar Parts Dodge R/T Nitro Funny Car to the eighth-qualifying position with a 4.884-second lap at 313.34 mph. The Brecksville, Ohio resident was pleased with the start.

"We have a good baseline to start out with," said Skuza, who failed to qualify for last year's event. "We actually should have gone quicker because we were on a good run. We're going to go back, make a few adjustments and try to move up in the order.

"The track is in good shape," Skuza added. "We're going to take advantage of that and tune it up a bit."

Co-Crew Chief John Stewart led Jim Epler to victory lane in last year's U.S. Nationals.

(more stories)

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