Yesterday's opening qualifying session wasn't exactly the way Del Worsham envisioned starting the defense of his Northwest Nationals Funny Car title. The motor on Worsham's Checker-Schuck's-Kragen Pontiac exploded at the starting line, and he was unable to even attempt a qualifying run.
``That was one of those really lucky or really unlucky deals,'' said Worsham, who ended an eight-year winless streak when he won at SIR last summer. ``It was unlucky, because we exploded a bunch of brand new stuff. It was lucky because it happened there, and not down track at 300 miles per hour.''
Worsham wasn't the only defending race winner with opening-round frustrations. Pro Stock driver Kurt Johnson's Chevy Camaro had mechanical problems and he posted the worst time of the 26 entries.
UP IN SMOKE: Significant changes are in store for NHRA's title sponsor, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco and its Winston cigarette brand. As part of ``big tobacco's'' 1998 master settlement with the federal government, RJR can only maintain one title sponsorship - using a brand name such as Winston or Camel - following the 2001 season. Since the company currently sponsors the NHRA and NASCAR, that means it must make a choice between the two race series or use clever semantics.
With several series and teams following under the NASCAR banner, it might seem obvious that Winston stays there, but Denny Darnell, RJR's sports marketing enterprises senior manager of media relations, cautions that no decision has been made. After all, Winston has been aligned with the NHRA for the past 28 years.
LOCAL SHOWING: Tacoma driver Pat Austin topped the Federal Mogul Series Funny Car qualifying yesterday with a 5.764-second, 252.05-mph run. His uncle Bucky was ninth quickest entering today's final qualifying session. Each has won this event three times, and Pat is the defending winner.
Brandon Henkelman of San Jose, Calif., led Federal Mogul dragster qualifying with a fast run of 5.395 seconds. Dale Carlson of Olympia was the top local qualifier with a third best time of 5.511 seconds. Mark Hentges of Federal Way was fifth quickest, and Graham's Kim Parker qualified eighth.
TWIST IN FATE: Pro Stock points leader Jeg Coughlin Jr. has a series-best six victories this season and a hefty 189-point advantage atop the standings. But when it comes to Seattle International Raceway, Coughlin has been less than spectacular. In three visits here - two in Pro Stock and another in Sportsman - he has never advanced past the first round.
``I still think this is a great track,'' Coughlin said.
Things looked up for Coughlin yesterday. He was third quickest in opening-round qualifying.
CLEAN RACING: The NHRA is feeling good about new rules instituted for the season - especially the emphasis on minimizing oildowns. Through the first 12 events, there have been only 13 hours and 23 minutes of down time for track crews to clean up oil spills.
That's a little more than an hour a race - a far cry from previous seasons. The NHRA is now penalizing drivers - both monetarily and points-wise - when their cars leave oil on tracks and cause delays.
NORTHWEST NATIVE: Pro racer Cristen Powell of Portland was noticeably absent from SIR's entry list. Powell was let go from the Al Hofmann-owned Funny Car team in mid-June after making the transition from Top Fuel dragsters.
Tommy Johnson, who replaced Powell, still is looking to qualify for his first national event with the team.
P-I reporter Holly Cain can be reached at 206-448-8015 or hollycain@seattle-pi.com
