‘What a Tomato Too’ Makes Saucy Debut during Day One of Top Alcohol Hydro Qualifying During IHBA NAPA Auto Parts World Finals

GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY – Talk about making a great first impression!

Joel Webber’s new boat was sure to get some second looks because of its funky “What a Tomato Too’ name.   But on Friday afternoon, this boat proved it can do more than provide comic relief.   It also provided plenty of speed – Webber and ‘What a Tomato Too’ came out as the top qualifier in the Top Alcohol Hydro category during Day One of the International Hot Boat Association (IHBA) NAPA Auto Parts World Finals at Firebird National Raceway.

Webber finished with a 5.437 ET, hitting a top speed of 221.56 miles-per-hour (mph) heading into Saturday’s second round, topping season points leader Kent Price’s Black Draggin, which finished at 5:523 and 217.18 mph.   Andy Reynolds, driving déjà vu, finished third, at 5:534 and 214.18 mph.

In the Top Fuel Hydro category, 2009 IHBA points leader John Haas and Speed Sports Special continued the march to back-to-back titles, finishing the first round of qualifying with   a run of 4.864 ET and 241.08 mph, topping Glen Wilson in Toxic Rocket (5.085, 222.74 mph) and Daryl Ehrlich in Problem Child (10.720, 33.88 mph).

In one of the most seasons’ most closely contested points races, Don Bausher and Habit Forming III entered this weekend’s IHBA NAPA Auto Parts World Finals hoping to clinch the Top Alcohol Flat World Championship.   Bausher took a strong step toward that goal Friday, leading after the first round of qualifying with a run of 6.943 ET and 155.52 mph.   Bausher’s closest challenger, ‘All Lit Up’ owned by Steve Westerfield and driven by Tony Scarlata, also kept the team’s championship dreams alive by finishing third at 6.992 and 154.44 miles-per hour.

Racing continues on Saturday beginning at 8 am with qualifying in the sportsmen’s’ categories.   Round two qualifying for Top Fuel Hydro, Top Alcohol Hydro and Top Alcohol Flat categories is scheduled to begin at 11 am.

A results breakdown from Day One follows below:

Driver                          ET                                            MPH

Top Fuel Hydro

1. John Haas              4.864                                         241.08

2. Glen Wilson             5.085                                         222.74

3. Daryl Ehrlich            10.720                                      33.88

Top Alcohol Hydro

1. Joel Webber             5.437                                        221.56

2. Kent Price                5.523                                        217.18

3. Andy Reynolds         5.534                                        214.18

Top Alcohol Flat

1.   Don Bausher           6.943                                        155.52

2.   Jerry Davis              6.979                                        140.02

3.   Tony Scarlata          6.992                                        154.44

Pro Mod

1.   Marty Logan            7.011                                        169.86

2.   Steve Rajcic            7.016                                        169.64

3.   Shawn Reed           7.045                                        171.16

Pro Eliminator

1. Mike Finnegan          8.00                                          127.02

2. Gary Davis               8.032                                        148.22

3. Jerry Hardwick         8.039                                        144.48