Gasparrelli Takes 801 Racing to Finals in Houston
Courtesy of Gasparrelli Racing
Baytown, TX – Steve Gasparrelli likes racing at the Houston stop on the NHRA series schedule. This past weekend at the O’Rilly Auto Parts Spring Nationals, Gasparrelli took his ECS/801 Racing Top Alcohol Funny Car all the way to the
finals. Although he didn’t win the race, Gasparrelli believes things could have worked out differently.
“I feel like we left some on the table,” said Gasparrelli. “Our car ran very well. You have to hand it to Jay Payne. He really stepped up in the finals. At the 2002 Houston race, I beat Jay to win the race. In 2004, he beat me. I believe next time we race each other in a Houston final, it’s my turn to win.”
Gasparrelli’s consistent qualifying numbers settled him in the number four slot with a best time of 5.640/259.61. That paired him up against Todd Veney in the first round of eliminations. Gasparrelli laid down his best ET to this point with a stout 5.621/259.76 to beat a tire-shaking Veney. In Sunday’s second round, Kris Hool got the starting line advantage, but Gasparrelli’s top end charge and his 5.651/258.86 was enough to defeat Hool’s 5.685/257.24. In the semi-finals, Tony Bartone lay in wait. Gasparrelli’s Team knew they had to be on their game, and as the two cars left the line glued together, Gasparrelli edged out the close win with a 5.664/257.92 over Bartone’s 5.671/261.37.
It was now finals time in Houston, and a match up with familiar opponent Jay Payne. The ECS/801 Racing Team knew the track and their opponent. Gasparrelli got the jump on Payne off the line and was leading the race until about half track. This is where Payne powered by with a 5.631/260.06 to Gasparrelli’s 5.652/259.26. Gasparrelli was happy with the final round appearance, but knew his car had a bit more in it. This only gives them the advantage in the upcoming races.
“It was a good race for us. I really want to hand it to my team and those who support us. We have been very happy with the 801 Racing 70Wt Racing Oil we have been running,” added Gasparrelli. “The parts look great after a run and they have been lasting longer too. I also would like to thank our other sponsors EndroComponent Solutions, Oceanus Plumbing, M7 Performance, CoColor, MBR Engines, and Midnight Expressions. They make it possible for us to be out here racing and going rounds.”
Going rounds and going fast is why Steve Gasparrelli is out on tour with his Top Alcohol Funny Car. Those two also combine to produce race wins. The ECS/801 Racing Team looks to add a few more trophies to the shelf. The Houston final proves that, and the competition better not count on Steve Gasparrelli leaving anything on the table from now on.
