WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 17, 2004 - Driving an Ecotec-powered Saturn Ion, Lisa Kubo became the first Pro FWD in NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing history to run a seven-second pass during today's first round of qualifying for the BF Goodrich Tires Sport Compact Nationals at Moroso Motorsports Park.
GM Ecotec Horsepower Shatters Performance Records at Moroso Motorsports Park
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 17, 2004 - Driving an Ecotec-powered Saturn Ion, Lisa Kubo became the first Pro FWD in NHRA Sport Compact Drag Racing history to run a seven-second pass during today's first round of qualifying for the BF Goodrich Tires Sport Compact Nationals at Moroso Motorsports Park.
The 29-year-old Kubo guided her Ecotec-powered Saturn to a track-record elapsed time of 7.963 seconds at 180.83 mph, and captured low qualifying honors for the second time this season.
"If you try too hard then you lose sight of what your real objectives are," said Kubo. "We went out today knowing that eventually it would happen and we were fortunate that it happened sooner rather than later. The run felt really, really good. But in a front-wheel drive car, if it feels like a good run then it probably isn't. If it spins and goes from side to side, that's when you usually have your best run. It went nice and straight, felt good and I thought, 'that's a bad pass.' Carlos Gonzales' team was coming down the side road flashing their lights and I thought, 'uh-oh.' They told me it was a 7.96 and I lost my voice. I wanted to do cartwheels across the racetrack. I was so excited and at the same time relieved that we got it done. Our goal now is to back up the e.t. for the national record, get the additional 20 bonus points and then try and win the race tomorrow."
Kubo's record-setting run marked yet another career milestone for team owner and drag racing veteran Jim Epler. On October 3, 1993, Epler became the first Funny Car driver in NHRA competition to exceed the 300 mph barrier when he exited the speed traps at Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.) at 300.40 mph.
"I've told Lisa since we started how big it would be to be the first driver in the sevens," said Epler. "I'm really happy for her, Gary (Kubo) and the whole team because this is something everybody is going to remember. Who was the first driver in the sevens? It was Lisa Kubo in an Ecotec-powered Saturn Ion.
"We walked the track when we got here on Thursday and it was in excellent condition. We went 8.02 at Fontana (Calif.) on a track that didn't have nearly the amount of rubber this one does. We didn't do a whole lot to the car. We ran it a little bit harder than we did in Fontana and the number just came up. This is a very good facility and Moroso Motorsports Park always gets a lot of race fans to come out. I'm happy we could do it here in South Florida."
Nelson Hoyos took his Ecotec-powered Chevy Cavalier out for a career-best ride this afternoon, capturing the No. 2 starting position in Pro FWD with a run of 7.997 seconds at a track-record top speed of 185.56 mph. Both Hoyos and Kubo have the potential of setting a new national e.t. record tomorrow if either one can run within one percent of their Saturday-best qualifying effort.
"It was an awesome day for the entire GM Racing program," said Hoyos. "We came to West Palm Beach knowing we could run some good numbers and the team has proven it once again. That 7.99 blast is an example of all the hard work and effort they've put into this program. It's the second race of the season and already this Ecotec-powered Chevrolet is clocking in the sevens. There's just a lot more to come, and it's going to be great for the team and for the fans of sport-compact drag racing.
"The incremental times are coming around and now we're starting to understand the car a lot better. This Cavalier is responding to everything we do. We've experienced some electronic gremlins that we're chasing, but those are minor details and we'll be just fine on Sunday."
In HOT ROD, the question being asked this weekend is just how fast will Marty Ladwig's Pontiac Sunfire go? The jury is still out, but during today's second qualifying session, the 2004 Ecotec-powered Pontiac ran the quickest elapsed time in the history of the category posting an incredible 8.181-second lap at 175.74 mph. The track-record pass gave Ladwig his second consecutive No. 1 qualifying spot of the season and was approximately .25 of a second better than his national record e.t. of 8.340 seconds set last month at Fontana (Calif.).
"It's been a great day," said Ladwig. "The team's been working hard on our 2004 Pontiac Sunfire, doing a little bit of testing at the GM Aero Lab back in Michigan and on the racetrack in Bradenton (Fla.). The results are what you saw today with our best e.t. ever and an opportunity to back up the national record for the second race in a row. The car is extremely stable and straight going down the track, our Ecotec engines continue to produce excellent horsepower and now we're learning some things with the transmission that has allowed us to realize the full potential of this racecar. Everything we've focused on and worked on has paid off.
"The 8.18 run seemed so smooth and effortless. This Sunfire is a lot of fun to drive, especially when it's going fast and you can't beat being No. 1 qualifier. Hopefully tomorrow we can come out with a win, and back up the national record so that the team can realize the fruits of their labor."
Television coverage of the BF Goodrich Sport Compact Nationals can be seen on ESPN2 on Thursday, May 6 starting at 4:30 p.m. Eastern.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former." - Albert Einstein
wow kubo hoyos and ladwig all qualified at the top of their class....... wow jsut simply wow.... hopefully now gm's sport compacts will come closer to getting the respect they deserve <br>
Shush Weasel..i want my shirley temple
i definetly agree.
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All I heard was blah blah blah...I'm a dirty tramp.
