NOPI Sport Compact

Scott Kelley goes to NHRA Finals in Pomona

Weather conditions in Pomona for race weekend were wonderful with warm, dry weather. Good for both fans & engines alike. Unfortunately, elsewhere in Southern California, the weather proved to be a major situation on Sunday. While calm at the track, the winds were blowing fiercely and spreading fires.

The team was still looking to repeat their Las Vegas success after struggling in Indianapolis and Englishtown in Rounds 6 and 7.

Jeremy Lookofsky (DVS Shoes Honda Civic) grabbed the top qualifying position with a 9.518 second pass at 142.82 mph. Scott qualified 5th with a best pass of 9.870 seconds at 135.32 mph, pairing him up with Saul Salceda (Q4) in the Clutch Masters Integra (9.794 @ 133.07).

The first round of eliminations started off with a staging dual. Scott Kelley knows his car can idle for an eternity without the temperatures rising and merely waited Salceda out. After a minute or so, Scott bumped in to light the first light. Salceda followed in quickly and lit the 2nd pair too. Scott gave him nearly the full 7 seconds before lighting his second pair. Scott cut a good light (0.020 RT to Salceda's 0.254) but it didn't matter as the Integra emitted a crunch as soon as it left the line. The transmission didn't even last to the 60-foot mark.

In the 2nd round, Scott faced top-qualifier Jeremy Lookofsky. Again, Scott's work at the tree paid dividends (0.042 vs. 0.159) and he lit the lights first (9.801 @ 136.14 vs. 9.751 @ 132.97).

Scott faced Norris Prayoonto (Q3) in the Clutch Masters Insight (2007 season champion by beating Leslie Armendariz in the 2nd round) in the finals. Norris was too quick and took the win, 9.730 @ 132.78 vs. 9.835 @ 136.47.

It may not have been the result the Kelley team wanted, but it was a solid run and showed the Las Vegas win was no fluke. For the season, Kelley finished 5th in points. Look for the Kelley racing dragster in random events as 2007 winds down and to compete in the full 2008 NHRA Sport Compact season.