IHRA FC Wrap Up - Rockingham

Courtesy of Larry Sullivan - FastNews Network

Thomas made the most of the opportunity he was presented when two-time reigning points champion
Rob Atchison, winner of he season-opener at San Antonio, Texas, was beaten in the first round
for the second straight year"
"The car's fast," Thomas said, "(and) it's not hurting anything. It was a good weekend for
us."

Despite Atchison's problems, Thomas said the points race is far from over. In fact, the
five-time former series champion (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994 and 2001) predicted that the new
eight-car lineup will make the championship chase a lot more interesting.

"Once you get qualified, the eight-car field is great," he said, "as long as you're one of the
eight guys. T'he only real adjustment you have to make is not chewing your fingers to the bone
during qualifying.

"Once race day is here, you've got really tough races every round. I really like it. I think
it's neat. Any one of those eight cars can win the whole thing (and) that will make a really
interesting year.

"I'll predict that sometime over the course of the year one of the op cars, whether it's me or
Rob, will not qualify for a race. Maybe all of us. We've got a lot of good competition (and) I
think it's making excellent racing."

FUNNY CAR:

ROUND ONE -- Tony Bogolo, Ford Mustang, 5.874, 231.52 def. Rob Atchison, Pontiac Firebird,
24.557, 20.95; Mark Thomas, Dodge Avenger, 5.801, 241.37 def. Terry Munroe, Firebird, 5.875,
238.17; Chris Foster, Avenger, 5.858, 238.09 def. Thomas Carter, Chevy Camaro, 6.169, 180.16;
Melinda Green-King, Avenger, 5.931, 235.68 def. Jim Sickles, Avenger, 7.988, 114.42;
SEMIFINALS -- Thomas, 5.817, 240.98 def. Foster, 5.916, 235.31; Green-King, 10.501, 105.87
def. Bogolo, broke;
FINALS -- Thomas, 5.859, 240.38 def. Green-King, 12.197, 78.71.