Clint Thompson Runs Well in Norwalk

Clint Thompson Runs Well in Norwalk

Clint Thompson made the long trip from his home base in Klamath Falls Oregon to Norwalk Ohio in search of another national event win in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class, this time at the Fourth annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.

Thompson qualified his Cascade Auto Group Monte Carlo in the middle of the pack with a 5.69 at 255 MPH for the eighth position. This set upa first round match up with Jason McKnight who qualified in the 9th spot. As it would turn out McKnight went up in smoke at the touch of the throttle while Thompson thundered to an impressive first round win and had one of the quickest runs of the first round with a sizzling 5.64 at 256 MPH, which was an improvement from his best qualifying time.

This would set up a second round marquee match up with the reining NHRA Champion Frank Manzo. Manzo shut down early but still won in the first round which gave Thompson lane choice in round two.

At the starting line it was Thompson out of the gate first with a great 0.023 reaction time to Manzo's 0.040. It was a close race all the way down Broadway as Manzo scored low ET of the round but Thompson was right there with the second quickest pass of the round. Manzo got the victory with a 5.58 at 258 MPH while Thompson stopped the clocks with a respectable 5.66 at 255 MPH.

Looking forward to Seattle
With a two week break, Thompson's team returns to the Pacific Northwest for the Northwest NHRA Nationals held at Pacific Raceways in Seattle. This year the Seattle race is actually two races in one as the conclusion of eliminations from the rained out Mission race will be contested during the second and third qualifying rounds at the nationals. Thompson has had some memorable moments at Pacific Raceways. "We have won the Northwest Nationals twice and once at the divisional race as well as a runner-up at the divisional last year, so Seattle is one of our favorites" Thompson said.