Strong Push Back At NHRA Charlotte (2)! 

After enduring a myriad of rather explosive problems during the previous Mac Tools U.S. Nationals event, Todd Lesenko and the entire Jim Dunn Racing team had a very nice rebound race at ZMax Dragway in Charlotte N.C….

The team debuted its newest sponsorship partner Eco-Absorb and also a new Dodge Stratus FC body (previously raced by Ron Capps) at the NHRA O’Reilly Nationals event. 

The team made two very nice safe and straight qualifying runs on Saturday, the second of which was a very timely and dramatic 4.313 secs that qualified for the coveted 16^th and final slot.

Following a lengthy rain delay to the start of eliminations on Sunday, Todd lined up to race pole qualifier Tim Wilkerson in round one.  Todd got out of the starting gate first (.063 to .075 RT) and ran his best time of the event at 4.223 secs 293.73 mph.   That improvement was however not enough to hold off Wilkerson who ran 4.096 secs at 307.58 mph in the L.R.S. car to advance.

Despite that  loss Todd and the team took away a lot of positives from the race and are now off to NHRA Dallas next week (for the AAA Fall Nationals) with some new enthusiasm and where they will attempt to qualify for their 3rd straight event.  

The team also does offer it’s congratulations to fellow Dodge FC racer Ron Capps who went on to win the race at Charlotte and increase his overall NHRA Championship points lead……….(BB) 

Photo by:  Dave DeAngelis   

To view additional event photos from Charlotte and other NHRA races this season click:  HERE