Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Slow start has Marnell regrouping

Friday, March 21, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

George Marnell has failed to qualify for eliminations at each of the first three NHRA national events this season but he isn't reaching for the panic button.

In fact, Marnell, a 52-year-old Las Vegas businessman who competes in the Pro Stock category, couldn't be more optimistic as he prepares for his hometown race, the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals in two weeks at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"I think we're having car problems more than anything else," Marnell said of his early-season slump. "The first couple of races, I ran the same car that I did last year, thinking that we were OK. But, compared to the rest of the group, we were just lagging behind. We decided that we had a problem with the car that we just couldn't find."

After missing the cut at Pomona, Calif., to open the season and again two weeks later in Glendale, Ariz., Marnell opted to park the Pontiac Grand Am that carried him to victory in the 2002 season opener at Pomona in favor of a new Don Ness-built racecar.

Marnell debuted the new Grand Am last weekend at the Gatornationals but encountered more problems.

"We only got to test one day in Florida, before the race, and we blew a motor up on the first pass," Marnell said. "We just kind of started off on a bad foot there. Then we tried to qualify the car and we found that we had another problem with the body hitting the rear tire when you let the clutch out, so that screwed up our qualifying in Gainesville."

Marnell sent the car to Minnesota for modifications immediately following the Gatornationals and said he expects to have a competitive car by the time pro qualifying begins in Las Vegas on April 4.

"We sent it back to the chassis builder to narrow the rear end to make everything fit the way it's supposed to," Marnell said. "When we get the car back out here, we're going to test next week and be ready to rock 'n' roll by the time (the SummitRacing.com Nationals begin).

"We've got a great team this year, we've got good power, we've got everything we need it's just that we can't get our vehicle to cooperate with us. Trust me, we will get it figured out; we know what's wrong with it and we're fixing it right now."

Other than the chassis problem, Marnell said he liked the feel of the new car.

"I really like the car," Marnell said. "The only thing is when I let the clutch out, the body would hit the left-rear wheel and turn the car left into the wall. I had to put it in second gear early but I'd get it straightened out and, boy, down track this thing was an awesome car.

"Once we get that fixed, I think that thing is going to be a great car. We know we can be right there. We just need to find the right combo for this car and we'll be fine because I know we've got enough power."

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), the sanctioning body for the American Le Mans Series, said that the onboard fuel capacity in the team's Porsche 911 GT3 RS exceeded the maximum allowable capacity of 100 liters. Johnny Mowlem, Nic Jonsson and Craig Stanton drove the car.

The team is owned by Las Vegas businessman Michael Petersen and managed by Las Vegan Dale White. White said Thursday that the team would appeal the decision.

Tracy finished eighth in Monterrey last year and third in the inaugural event in 2001.

"I have a lot better memories of my first race here, two years ago," Tracy said. "Standing on the podium and seeing the grandstands filled with people having such a good time was a great feeling. They love Champ Car racing in Mexico and, as a driver, it's a special treat to go there.

"The way things went for Team Player's in the opener is certainly cause for optimism. We had struggled a bit in off-season testing but when it counted, Team Player's was at the front of the pack, thanks to a total effort."

Luyendyk, who won the 500 in 1990 and 1997, will team with Nunn's full-time IRL drivers, Felipe Giaffone and Tora Takagi at Indy.

"Actually, I like the Phoenix track," said Brack, who is driving for Team Rahal in the IRL. "But I have hit the wall in each of the four corners over my years at Phoenix. I have to stop doing that."

The IRL IndyCar Series is in Phoenix for Sunday's Purex Dial Indy 200.

Other local racers who finished the 227.79-mile race were Tim and Ed Herbst (fifth place, Trophy Truck), Troy Herbst (eighth place, Class 1), Bekki and Adam Wik (12th place, Class 1), Steve Olliges (second place, Protruck, with Steve Barlow of Temecula, Calif.), Rudy and Carlos Cortez (sixth place, Class 10), Brian Freemal (fourth place, SORE Lites, with Keith Basso of Bullhead City, Ariz.), and Jimmy Stephensen (11th place, Class 25 Pro ATV, with Greg Row of Spring Valley, Calif.).

The race was marred by the death of sportsman motorcycle rider David Bills of San Diego. Bills, 32, died from injuries he sustained after reportedly being hit by another race vehicle.