Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Rebuilding efforts starting to pay off for LV’s Marnell

Thursday, June 21, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

After suffering through one of the least successful seasons of his NHRA career last year, George Marnell decided to make a conscious effort to rebuild his Las Vegas-based Pro Stock team.

Since adding crew chief Greg Anderson and a new engine builder to his program, it appears as if Marnell has hit on the right combination of personnel and equipment.

Last weekend at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals in Kirkersville, Ohio, Marnell was the top Pro Stock qualifier with an elapsed time of 6.935 seconds (198.03 mph) in his 2001 Pontiac Grand Am. It was Marnell's first pole since the 1995 Mile-High Nationals in Denver.

Marnell defeated Mike Edwards in the first round of eliminations before losing to Jeg Coughlin in the second round by a mere .05 seconds -- about 15 feet.

"I can't say enough about how good the crew did," Marnell said. "Greg Anderson has been a tremendous asset to our team. We've been working really hard and I can't say enough about (the team); they have all done a great job.

"(Winning the pole) was a thrill in 1995 but I think I'm even enjoying it more now. We've had our ups and downs in drag racing and I think we have finally put a really good team together and we've got a great racecar underneath us with good power. I think we've got all the components we need to be successful: chassis, power and driver."

Marnell has qualified in the top 10 four times this season and advanced to the final eliminations in each of his past five outings. Three weeks ago at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill., Marnell was the 11th fastest qualifier and advanced to the third round of eliminations before losing to Jim Yates by .025 seconds (about 7 feet).

The way Marnell sees it, a win is on the horizon and could comes as soon as this weekend's Sears Craftsman Nationals at Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis.

"I expect to win this weekend -- I think we're overdue," Marnell said. "We've got everything we need ... we just need to get it all together on the same day. We're a win waiting to happen."

Force had won 82 times and earned 10 Winston championships since his last victory at the Ohio quarter-mile.

"That was really special," Dixon said of his Father's Day victory. "There's a photo that shows me in my father's arms when he won the Winternationals in 1970. To be able to do the same thing with my son at a major race is very cool.

"This is one of the major races in our sport and the one I still needed to win. I've always wanted to win this race in my heart because all of the greats in our sport have won here. To win it as NHRA celebrates its 50th anniversary is awesome. I'm pretty jazzed."

The new strip, which is designed for street cars to race in a controlled environment, will be located on the south side of the speedway, behind the main grandstand. The first weekend of racing is scheduled for September 8-9.

"I think we're a win looking for a place to happen."