Hunter Seeking First TAFC Win at SummitRacing.com Nationals
LAS VEGAS, NV – A trip to Las Vegas is always anticipated, but a semifinal showing at last weekend’s NHRA West Region event at 
LVMS has Top Alcohol Funny Car driver Greg Hunter even more eager to head back to The Strip. Greg and his Synoil Racing teammates know they have a race car capable of winning. The Edmonton-based team is doing everything in their power to improve their chances at the SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 28-30.
“Unfortunately we lost a burst panel in the semifinals. We felt that was a race we could’ve won. Ryan (Protz) and the crew have been going over the car top to bottom, getting it ready for this weekend. We have a lot of friends, family, and sponsors visiting us at this race so we want to do good. I’m confident that we’ll do well,” Greg said.
Racing at the NHRA West Region Vegas spring race last weekend, Hunter qualified the Synoil Energy Services/ExactAir Top Alcohol Funny Car in the third spot, 5.672. He used a solid .036 reaction time and 5.629 run to take out Jay Payne first round. The Synoil Monte Carlo was on another strong pass in the semifinals before the aforementioned burst panel broke, leaving Greg with no choice but to watch Shane Westerfield take the win.
While they didn’t walk away with a Wally, the Geoff Goodwin-owned team did receive useful data for this weekend’s race.
“The data from the 5.62 told us that we’re moving in the right direction. Our goal is to work toward small improvements, not to do anything crazy. I myself want to make small improvements, doing a better job at every opportunity, and I think that’s where the whole team stands. Everyone is working hard, doing our best, and making small improvements. I think that combination will give us a shot at winning,” Greg claimed.
Qualifying for the race was an achievement in itself, with sixteen cars fighting for one of eight chances to race on Sunday. While the SummitRacing.com Nationals field will allow for sixteen cars to qualifying, Greg is set on earning another top-half spot.
“With all of those great cars going for eight spots, we were proud that we qualified in the top half of that field. Qualifying in the top half is one of our goals for the national event this weekend so we can set ourselves up for a long day on Sunday.”
Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions at the NHRA SummitRacing.com Nationals, March 28-30, are set for noon and 3:45 PM on Friday and 11 AM on Saturday. First round of eliminations will begin around 3 PM on Saturday. Eliminations continue on Sunday.
