Notes and quotes from the O'Reilly Fall Nationals
Hass going back to Pro Stock in 2002
Jerry
Haas told DRO before the second round of qualifying at the Motorplex
that he would be returning to the Pro Stock wars for the 2002 season.
Haas told DRO that he has a program going together to field a Cavalier
in NHRA but that he would not be in the seat. " I didn't want to drive
this year but it worked out that I had to drive anyway." The multi
time Car Craft award in the Chassis builder category also said that
there was a possibility that he would also have a program for the
IHRA series also.
Rumors-Rumors-Rumors Rumors-
Agent 1320 who is also in attendance at this event had
a couple of rumors concerning Pro Drivers and whether they would or
wouldn't be driving in the 2002 season. One rumor has Darryl Alderman
getting out of the factory Dodge team and driving for Jerry Haas.
The agent also heard that there was a better than even chance that
Frank Pedregon who in just three years has won everything in the Fuel
Flopper division but a world Championship wouldn't be returning to
the Del Worsham team for 2002.
Tommy Lee leaving IHRA going NHRA Pro
Stock full time in 2002.
Tommy Lee verified to DRO that he would be driving a
500 inch Pro Stocker for the Allen Johnson team full time next season.
Lee who is currently second in IHRA Pro Stock World Championship points
decided to option the IHRA event in nearby Shreveport, LA. "I was
going to drive Alvin Whaley's car after my car owner Charlie Taylor
decided to put another driver in the car and try to defend my points
position but when the race was postponed the (Allen Johnson) team
and I decided it would be best just to get on with the NHRA Program.
DRO asked Lee what if any differences or adjustments
he had to make when changing over from the IHRA mountain motored Pro
Stocks to the 500 inch NHRA Pro Stocks. "I'll tell you the biggest
thing is that the NHRA car is so much smoother on the top end. The
IHRA cars move around a lot on the top end these NHRA cars are really
smooth and easier to drive. The hardest part was waiting so long to
get ot fifth gear. It seems like it takes forever to get their (fifth
gear) you keep waiting for the shift light to come on."
