The first round of qualifying brought a whole ton of sub-8.50 times, and as I walked through the pits before the second round, I think just about everyone was wrenching on their cars or had the laptops out to adjust the tune. Our very own Harry Gerb did not mess around in the first round, laying down an 8.500 pass giving him first round qualifier and bragging rights for a little while .. On the second round, we saw more passes above the 8.50 mark after everyone's minor adjustments.. click the link below for all of the qualifying times
9/19/2008 Englishtown 8.50 Index Qualifying Sheet
Round 1
Harry Gerb takes the single, running it out for the time since a computer malfunction in qualifying round #2 denied him a time slip. The 8.515 he puts up shows he is still on point
Albert Yaruminsky vs past winner Jason Penna. Penna on point with a .031 reaction time, but that doesn't matter as he breaks out running a 8.491. Yaruminsky taking best appearing car tonight with his amazing Chevelle.
Ferrari vs. Verzilli: Bill breaks out with a 8.426 on this pass, but the green machine ends up with a DQ for deep staging, if I heard the PA announcer right
TJ Kasper vs. Mark Bowen: Identical on the tree, but a double breakout situation here, TJ being closer to the number. Both cars running slightly too fast tonight
Ali Buscio vs. Rob Poochigian: It looked like Rob had Ali covered until the boards lit up with a 8.499, bad break for Rob, good for Ali. Ali off to round #2 again
John Razler Jr. vs. Tony Russo: Tony had John covered on the ET but reaction time decides this race -- Razler 8.558 .053 rt to 8.543 .118 rt
Wiso Melendez vz. Kenny the Birdman: Great to see Kenny back in action after some downtime !! Unfortunately Kenny does not go past this round, Wiso takes the win with a 8.785 to Kenny's 8.929.
Round 2
Verzilli vs. Yaruminsky: Billy has Yaruminsky covered here pretty good.. Bill 8.689 to Albert's 8.943, the beautiful Chevelle sent to the trailer packing
Harry Gerb vs. Wiso Melendez: #1 qualifier Harry gets a break, as he breaks out with an 8.481 but Wiso also breaks out by a larger margin, his 8.362.
John Razler Jr. vs. Bobby Moran: Bobby is sent packing after breaking out, running a 8.491 to John's 8.512.
Ali Buscio vs. TJ Kasper: What a matchup this ended up being !! Ali just trees TJ here, a .015 reaction time to TJ's .057. And that decided the race, Ali runs a 8.564 (Personal best right??) to TJ's 8.542 ... the unexpected win here and Kid Kwik will not make it past round 2 today
Round 3
Verzilli vs. Razler Jr: Billy brings his times back closer to the 8.50 mark with a 8.523 on this pass, which will do the trick against Razler's 8.598. with reaction time, only 13 thousandths margin of victory here!! Billy will need to cut that tree down in the finals if he wants to take it all
Ali Buscio vs. Harry Gerb: Ali gets out of it, recovers without losing any shiny pieces on the car.. while Harry tears down the track. He lets off, I saw some break lights, but Harry runs a 8.477 which advances Ali to the finals!! Harry joins mrhockey in search of new rear view mirrors for his ride
Finals
Buscio vs. Verzilli: Ali's first final at E-town, once again gets out of it and recovers, but it is too late -- Bill is on a pass, and stays above the 8.50 mark running a 8.884, taking home the win.
What a great race this was tonight!! The field was bigger than normal for E-town, I can only hope this is a small preview of what the 8.50 Index race will be like in two weeks, and at the Shakedown!
Congrats Verzilli family on the win and thanks to all racers for putting on an awesome program tonight.
As always thanks Michelle, and the Englishtown staff for access to cover this event.
(there are some test and tune / mean street pics mixed in with the 8.50 guys)
No wind and lots of burnout smoke made it challenging as hell to shoot pics tonight!! Englishtown is hard enough as is, so hope these pics are good enough for you guys.
9/19/2008 Englishtown 8.50 Index Race Pictures
Arnie Cohen HD Videos
Race Results Sheet
