IHRA/DRAG: Mid America Alesci report

• Jeniffer Hankinson
• Dragstar Promotions
• Tue Aug 13 12:43:44 EDT 1996

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 12, 1996
Contact: Jeniffer Hankinson
         Dragstar Promotions
         (614) 328-8004


                        Alesci Wins First Race

        Scribner, NE   The season-long International Hot Rod Association
points chase has kept Angelo Alesci and crew very busy. The Cleveland
based Pro Stock team has been among the top ten all season, but were
still looking for that first win. Taking a drastic step, Alesci and his
crew chief, Dale Kindl, debuted a brand new Chevrolet Monte Carlo this
past weekend at the Mid America Nationals, the 9th stop of the National
Event schedule. Although testing sessions prior to the race showed
improvement over their previous car, the team couldn=92t be sure how it
would perform under race conditions. After running quick elapsed times
during qualifying sessions Friday and Saturday,  they earned  the number
seven position in the 16 car field. The most difficult time of the
weekend was about to begin.
        Sunday, Alesci had to first get by Spring Nationals winner
Richie Stevens. He did, running a 6.92 to Stevens 6.99. Things heated up
second round when Alesci had to face the most winning driver in IHRA
history, Summer Nationals winner Roy Hill. Alesci left the starting line
just ahead of Hill, beating him to the finish line, running a 6.91 to a
6.99 respectively. In the semi-final round, Alesci faced  the current
World Record holder, Jon Yoak. Running the quickest he had all weekend,
Alesci advanced to the final round with a 6.89 second elapsed time. Then
came the final match up of the weekend - Alesci vs. current World
Championship Points leader, John Nobile. Alesci was first off the line,
bringing him a true driving win; a 6.96 second run to a losing, but
quicker, 6.94 run.
        This first win is a sweet victory for Alesci, owner of the
Cleveland based Voyale Corporation.  My crew deserves it. They work very
hard, and I want to win for them.  But this was not their only award
this weekend. Their new car, built by Rick Jones, was elected  Best
Engineered Car . Alesci will move up in the points chase, bringing him
ever closer to that number one position in this, his first year in the
Pro Stock ranks. The crew returns to work this week preparing for the
next stop on the IHRA tour, the World Nationals at Norwalk Raceway Park,
August 22-25.