Marnell picks up NHRA victory

Monday, Sept. 24, 2001 | 9:22 a.m.

A year ago, near the end of one of his most disappointing seasons in the National Hot Rod Association's Pro Stock category, George Marnell came close to parking his Pontiac Grand Am.

Instead, the Las Vegas businessman rededicated himself to the sport by hiring a new co-crew chief and changing engine builders prior to 2001 -- his ninth full season in Pro Stock.

On Sunday, Marnell's determination paid off in his first NHRA national victory at the AutoZone Nationals at the Memphis Motorsports Park.

"This is as close to euphoria as is humanly possible," Marnell said Sunday. "We've been working so hard and for so long for this, I don't know if it has really sunk in or not.

"It has been such a long road but I would not trade it for anything. If you said to me today, 'You can have all the money back and all the time back and we'll start all over,' I wouldn't do it; I'm that happy."

Marnell, who will celebrate his 51st birthday this Sunday, became the 12th different winner this season in the Pro Stock category. He beat Robert Patrick in the first round of eliminations Sunday and then dispatched Mark Osborne and Bruce Allen to advance to his first-ever final round.

In the final, Marnell beat Mark Pawuk off the line with a reaction time of .441 seconds (to Pawuk's .473) and ran a 6.974 at 198.12 mph to Pawuk's 6.950 at 198 mph. The margin of victory was .008 seconds, or about one foot.

"Pro Stock racing is probably the most competitive form of motor sports in the world and (a win) is not going to be given to you," Marnell said. "You have to struggle and fight every inch of the way -- there's no easy way to get to the winner's circle here.

"This whole weekend, nobody gave us anything; we had to fight and scratch and bite our way through this thing. We didn't get given a round ... we wanted it and we went in and took it."

Immediately after the race, Marnell announced that he was donating his earnings from his victory to the American Red Cross.

The trophy, on the other hand, accompanied Marnell back to Las Vegas late Sunday night.

"I'm never going to let go of that trophy," Marnell said.