Nobile gears up for NHRA playoffs
(9-10-2012) INDIANAPOLIS, IN – After a successful regular season that includes two wins, a runner-up finish, and four semifinal showings in the ultra tough NHRA Pro Stock class, Mountain View Racing’s Vincent Nobile is ready for the upcoming Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
During this weekend’s rain-delayed Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Nobile drove the team’s NAPA Dodge to wins over Mark Martino and Larry Morgan before a red-light start ended his day against eventual champ Dave Connolly in the semifinals.
“It’s always frustrating to lose, especially on a red-light, but this Pro Stock class is so tough that you have to have to push as hard as you can on the starting line and sometimes, you’re going to push too hard and red-light,” said Nobile. “We did move into fifth place this weekend so there are some positive things we can take from this race.”
In qualifying, Nobile had been among the leaders with a 6.571, which was good for the No. 6 seed in the 16-car field. Nobile has qualified in the top half of the field at each of the season’s first 17 events.
“I’ve got not complaints at all about the car; it’s just fine,” said Nobile. “However, as a driver I have not been on top of my game lately and that’s something that has to change right now. We’re going into the playoffs and as we’ve seen anything can happen. If we’re going to make a serious run at this championship, we’ve got to be just about perfect at the last six races.”
Under the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoff format, the top ten drivers in each professional class are re-seeded after the first 17 events. As the No. 5 seed, Nobile now trails leader and teammate Allen Johnson by just 60 points, equal to three rounds of competition.
“I haven’t been this close to first place since the start of the season so this is a perfect opportunity to make a move,” Nobile said. “We’ve said all along that our goal for 2012 was to do better than we did in 2011. Last year, I won six rounds in the playoffs and finished fifth in the final points. I know this team is capable of doing better than that.”
The NAPA/Mountain View team will be back in action this weekend, Sept. 14-16 at zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C.
For additional information:
www.mountainviewracing.com
Twitter @Vincent154
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