NHRA notebook: Locals struggle at home

Monday, April 9, 2001 | 10:52 a.m.

So much for the home-field advantage.

Of the more than two dozen local drivers who competed -- both in the pro and sportsman divisions -- in the second annual SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, none was able to advance as far as the finals in their respective categories.

Gary Clapshaw of Las Vegas, the only local driver to advance to Sunday's final eliminations in the pro division, was the 13th-fastest qualifier in Top Fuel but was defeated in the first round of eliminations by Mike Dunn.

Clapshaw, who fielded the unsponsored Spirit of Las Vegas Dragster, runs his racing operation out of the industrial park at LVMS.

George Marnell, who competes in the Pro Stock division, failed to qualify for Sunday's final eliminations.

In Federal-Mogul Dragster, Las Vegan Duane Shields broke in second-round competition while Jon Capps, driving Mike Skelton's dragster, failed to qualify for the 16-car field.

In Super Stock, John Gallina lost in the first round.

The most successful local driver in Stock Eliminator was Paul Haszlauer, who advanced all the way to the second-to-last round before being eliminated 6.

In Super Comp, Randolph Scott made it as far as Round 5 before losing while Tim Arden of North Las Vegas advanced to Round 5 in Super Gas.

Skuza dispatched Tony Pedregon in the first round of eliminations and then beat Force in the quarterfinals.

"It was my job to single-handedly dismantle John Force Racing this weekend," Skuza joked. "If you want to win a championship, you have to beat the best and John Force is definitely the best in the business."

Force's other driver, Gary Densham, was eliminated by Johnson in the quarterfinals.

The trailer was a white 45-foot Haulmark Edge fifth-wheel with Utah plates and the car was a 1998 Chip Nielson Dragster. As of Sunday evening, the trailer and car had not been recovered.

Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of the trailer or racecar is encouraged to call Taylor at 801-785-8199 or 801-509-2544, or contact Metro Police.