A Setback at Sonoma

Story by Jim Samuel

Above: Lingenfelter crashed in round one with 2002 Chevy Cavalier.

Photo by: Bob Johnson.


Eight races into an outstanding inaugural season in the 2002 NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Season, John Lingenfelter suffered a setback in his run for the season championship when he crashed his Pro Division 2003 Summit Racing Chevy Cavalier at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

The crash came in the opening round of eliminations of the , when Lingenfelter beat Manny Cruz at the line with a 0.535-second reaction time to Manny Cruz's 0.704-second RT. Just past the 60-foot blocks, Lingenfelter's car made a sharp move to the left toward the wall. Lingenfelter worked to bring the car back under control, but the rear end started skating around and the car crossed over the center line at about half track, behind Cruz's car.

The Summit Racing Cavalier brushed against the right wall, then crossed back over the center line where it rolled onto its roof and hit the wall on the left side of the track. Despite the wild ride, Lingenfelter was unhurt and post-race reports said that damage to the car was lighter than had been expected.

Lingenfelter qualified for the race in the number two position, with a 7.288-second elapsed time at 187.29 miles per hour. Grant Downing was the top qualifier with a 7.123-second ET at 193.57 miles per hour. Downing went on to win the Pro Division when he defeated Cruz in the final round.

After the race, Lingenfelter remained at the top of the season championship points standings with 520 points to Downing's 519 points. Cruz is in third place with 389 points. Under series rules, only the top six of ten races on the schedule count toward a driver's points standings so both Lingenfelter and Downing can earn additional points in the season's remaining two races.

The next race on the NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series is the Fall Sport Compact Nationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. on October 5th and 6th. The final race in the 2002 series is scheduled for October 26th and 27th at Pomona raceway in Pomona, Calif.

 

:eek: That sucks. but at least he is ok. Must be nuts going that fast in a Cavalier :)

 

How bout some info on the motors, size, power adders etc.

 

Glad he's alright :blueangel:

 

I think he runs like a 2.2 liter 4 cylinder with a BIG turbo. You can like find specs at summitracing.com or nhra.com

 

I saw the interview with John on TV right after the crash while the car was still upside-down on the track. When the interviewer asked him what happened he said that when it got a bit squirrely, he got off it, and then got right back on it. He admitted that he just stayed in it too long and that's what caused him to lose control.

For anyone who saw the incident, it was not pretty to watch. Thank God for NHRA safety rules! John walked away without a scratch. Nice cage! :yesnod:

 

:yesnod: :yesnod: 4 cylinder :eek:

 

:(

 

Yeah, apparently the new Ecotec 4 cylinder has fantastic potential...and that turbo is nearly as big as the engine! Just note that John's Cavalier is rear wheel drive.

Thomas

 

That sucks. Glad to see that John's OK. Cars can be replaced but people cannot.

 

I have seen that car in person at Woodburn OR. Same thing loose as a goose.. :yesnod: I think he ran a 7.12 there..

 

Saw this car or it's replacement at E-Town on Saturday. It is a VREY nice ride. John Ran 7.0s under great conditions.

 

How ironic....John just ran 6.99 the other day and now....not so good after the incident...

 

it is good to see he is a rigth :chevy