BERNSTEIN, DENSHAM, YATES, SAVOIE TOP QUALIFIERS AT MATCO TOOLS SUPERNATIONALS
       
        ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Kenny Bernstein led Top Fuel qualifying Friday at the Matco Tools SuperNationals presented by Racing Champions at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park before persistent rain showers forced NHRA officials to cancel the second round of qualifying. Saturday's qualifying rounds are scheduled for 12:45 and 2:30 p.m.

        Gary Densham, Jim Yates and Angelle Savoie also were top qualifiers in their respective pro categories for the $2 million race, the eighth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.

        Bernstein posted a 4.599 second run at 323.27 mph in his Budweiser King dragster to lead his category. Andrew Cowin clocked a track speed record of 327.90 mph in his Spirit of NY dragster good enough for second place in the 16-car field at 4.638 seconds.

        Densham paced Funny Car qualifying in his Auto Club / Castrol GTX Ford Mustang, covering the distance in 4.864 at 320.13, while teammate Tony Pedregon clocked the second-best run at 4.909, 310.27, also in a Mustang sponsored by Castrol Syntec.

        Yates topped the Pro Stock lineup, running 6.836 at 201.49 in his Splitfire/Peak Pontiac Grand Am. Yates will lead the NHRA Pro Stock Challenge Saturday from the No. 1 position, where the eight quickest drivers from the last 23 events will battle for the $50,000 winner's share in the richest Pro Stock event of the season.

        Savoie led all Pro Stock Motorcycle qualifiers, logging the quickest run at 7.205 seconds, 184.93 mph on her CVEC Racing Suzuki.

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Results Friday after qualifying for the 33rd annual Matco Tools SuperNationals presented by Racing Champions at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, eighth of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.  Qualifying will continue Saturday for Sunday's final eliminations.

 
        Top Fuel -- 1. Kenny Bernstein, 4.599 seconds, 323.27 mph; 2. Andrew Cowin, 4.638, 327.90; 3. Tony Schumacher, 4.680, 326.56; 4. Mark Kinsella, 4.764, 277.94; 5. Darrell Russell, 4.796, 293.54; 6. Chris Karamesines, 4.801, 278.06; 7. Scott Weis, 4.877, 276.58; 8. John Smith, 5.080, 227.57; 9. Don Sosenka, 5.307, 250.32; 10. Larry Dixon, 5.459, 173.45; 11. Luigi Novelli, 5.509, 194.49; 12. Cory McClenathan, 5.756, 155.76; 13. David Grubnic, 6.101, 292.77; 14. Doug Herbert, 6.307, 131.63; 15. Doug Kalitta, 6.733, 149.02; 16. Rhonda Hartman-Smith, 7.525, 154.72.

 
        Funny Car -- 1. Gary Densham, Ford Mustang, 4.864, 320.13; 2. Tony Pedregon, Mustang, 4.909, 310.27; 3. Del Worsham, Pontiac Firebird, 4.922, 295.27; 4. Whit Bazemore, Firebird, 4.932, 311.05; 5. Tim Wilkerson, Firebird, 4.946, 281.60; 6. Cruz Pedregon, Firebird, 4.971, 290.44; 7. Scotty Cannon, Firebird, 4.988, 310.41; 8. Dean Skuza, Dodge Stratus R/T, 4.993, 310.55; 9. Todd Paton, Chevy Camaro, 5.009, 292.33; 10. Johnny Gray, Firebird, 5.028, 298.80; 11. John Force, Mustang, 5.045, 279.61; 12. Dale Creasy Jr., Firebird, 5.075, 248.98; 13. Bruce Sarver, Toyota Celica, 5.156, 255.68; 14. Frank Pedregon, Firebird, 5.198, 289.76; 15. Ron Capps, Camaro, 5.299, 213.64; 16. Terry Haddock, Firebird, 5.508, 210.60.

 
        Pro Stock -- 1. Jim Yates, Pontiac Grand Am, 6.836, 201.49; 2. Bruce Allen, Grand Am, 6.850, 200.89; 3. Allen Johnson, Dodge Neon R/T, 6.851, 201.22; 4. Kurt Johnson, Chevy Cavalier, 6.852, 201.82; 5. JR Carr, Pontiac Firebird, 6.852, 201.10; 6. George Marnell, Grand Am, 6.855, 200.77; 7. Warren Johnson, Grand Am, 6.858, 201.97; 8. Greg Anderson, Cavalier, 6.870, 201.43; 9. Mark Osborne, Grand Am, 6.870, 200.95; 10. Mark Whisnant, Cavalier, 6.873, 201.37; 11. Gene Wilson, Neon R/T, 6.874, 201.04; 12. Darrell Alderman, Neon R/T, 6.878, 201.13; 13. Jamie Yates, Grand Am, 6.881, 200.11; 14. Larry Nance, Cavalier, 6.882, 200.32; 15. Richie Stevens, Grand Am, 6.885, 199.64; 16. Ron Krisher, Cavalier, 6.887, 201.79.

 
        Pro Stock Motorcycle -- 1. Angelle Savoie, Suzuki, 7.205, 184.93; 2. Antron Brown, Suzuki, 7.222, 189.34; 3. Craig Treble, Suzuki, 7.242, 183.59; 4. Shawn Gann, Suzuki, 7.259, 184.80; 5. Matt Hines, Suzuki, 7.278, 188.17; 6. Mike Berry, Suzuki, 7.305, 181.84; 7. Sam Hurwitz, Suzuki, 7.307, 185.21; 8. Geno Scali, Kawasaki, 7.310, 180.67; 9. Reggie Showers, Suzuki, 7.322, 184.07; 10. John Smith, Suzuki, 7.328, 181.15; 11. Steve Johnson, Suzuki, 7.331, 186.38; 12. Joe DeSantis, Suzuki, 7.335, 180.38; 13. Chris Reuter, Suzuki, 7.346, 182.85; 14. Fred Camarena, Suzuki, 7.377, 183.99; 15. Scott Lewis, Suzuki, 7.389, 184.07; 16. Michael Phillips, Suzuki, 7.409, 181.59.