Pedregon's promising day fizzles in final

Funny Car's blown engine is costly in more ways than one

Tracy Renck, Special to the News

Published July 17, 2006 at midnight

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MORRISON - Cruz Pedregon had a roller-coaster ride Sunday in his Funny Car.

Pedregon, who just made it into the 16-car field as the last qualifier, advanced all the way to the finals of the National Hot Rod Association's 27th Mile-High Nationals.

Pedregon's day ended when he lost to Gary Scelzi at Bandimere Speedway's quarter-mile drag strip.

The loss, though, was the least of his problems.

He blew the engine in his Advanced Auto Parts Chevy Monte Carlo right before the finish line. Pedregon wasn't hurt in the explosion, but he did take some hits in other ways.

That run was the third time Pedregon oiled down the track and, as a result, he was docked 35 points from the 91 that he collected at the event. He also was fined $5,500.

It took the NHRA safety crews almost a half hour to clean the track up after Pedregon's final pass.

THIS BUD'S NOT FOR YOU: The Mile-Highs are becoming a nightmare for Top Fuel dragster driver Brandon Bernstein.

For the second time in as many years, Bernstein's Budweiser-sponsored entry lost in the first round. His latest setback came against Mike Strasburg. Strasburg clocked a 5.194-second time, while Bernstein was slowed by tire smoke at 5.274 seconds.

In 2005 at Bandimere, Bernstein had a first-round bye, but he was disqualified when his dragster died after his burnout.

EARLY LEADER EXITS: Littleton native Melanie Troxel's Top Fuel points lead disappeared when she was defeated by David Grubnic in the first round. Troxel had an 18-point lead over Doug Kalitta but came out trailing by two as Kalitta zipped defeated Scott Palmer.

"This was difficult as we struggled all week and things like this happen," Troxel said. "We still have a long way to go this season and hopefully we can do better next weekend in Seattle."

Funny Car points leader Ron Capps also found a hot track a disadvantage. He struck his tires right off the starting line, giving Bob Gilbertson a win. The loss allowed 13-time NHRA champion John Force to gain ground on Capps, moving to within 26 points of the series leader.

Said Capps, "It is definitely a disappointment, but it just goes to show you can't bet on a drag race. John Force is John Force and he makes it more than difficult."

It wasn't a good day, either, for Funny Car's No. 1 qualifier at the Mile-Highs, Gary Densham, who was eliminated in the first round by Pedregon on Sunday.

FUNNY CAR HAT TRICK: For the third consecutive national event, Whit Bazemore's couldn't get past Force. Force defeated Bazemore at Englishtown, N.J., and St. Louis before this week.

Bazemore looked to have an opportunity to end his skid but struck his tires at the midway point, giving Force the edge he needed.

"John's got our number, what can I say," Bazemore said. "I really love to race the guy, but it certainly would be fun to win one once in a while."

COMP ELIMINATOR: Dean Carter of Glendale, Ariz., was the winner, defeating Richard Freeman of Pauls Valley, Okla. Carter had a winning pass of 7.412 seconds at 179.21 mph to Freeman's tire-striking 10.365 at 84.73 mph. Vinnie Deceglie of Alta Loma, Calif., was the top qualifier with a 6.975 pass.

STOCK ELIMINATOR: Ryan McClanahan of Alta Loma, Calif., made it a disappointing day for Golden's Scott Burton. McClanahan turned in a pass of 11.061 to nip Burton's 11.471 second run.

SUPER COMP: Gary Wamboldt of Lakewood came through for the only win by a Colorado driver in the sportsman divisions with his win in Super Comp. In an all-Colorado final, he defeated Steve Johnson of Arvada.

Wambolt had a slower E.T. at 9.46 seconds to Johnson's 9.452. However, he did not break out of his bracket numbers to gain the win.

SUPER GAS: Duane Kohl, of Lincoln, was the winner in Super Gas, defeating Tim Landis of Glendale, Ariz. Kohl turned in a winning effort of 10.548 seconds to 10.542 for Landis. Again, the bracket numbers in the class determined the winner.

Kerry Willuweit of Estes Park had the No. 1 qualifying effort (10.53) but could not turn the effort into a win in the eliminations.

Staff writer Scott Stocker contributed to this report.

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