Shane Tucker is progressively working towards mastering the new rules that were implemented in the NHRA Pro Stock class at the beginning of 2016. In just his third race of the season, growing pains are to be expected and Tucker is breaking through each of them with pure determination.
In Friday’s first session, Tucker staged his Auzmet Architectural Chevrolet Camaro at zMAX Dragway and experienced massive tire shake immediately after letting off the clutch; he coasted to a 13.867-second pass at 62.64 mph. Coming back in the second session, Tucker had the same tire shake in the other lane but with his know-how behind the wheel, Tucker shifted to the next gear and crossed the finish line with a 6.777, 206.64.
On Saturday, Tucker clocked in with a refined 6.732, 207.30 and moved himself up one position on the ladder in the No. 14 spot. Tucker finished out qualifying with a 6.743, 206.35 and ended up No. 15.
“The two runs we made today were extremely average,” Tucker admitted. “To be honest, we were better than one or two other cars but not really well enough to compete. We want to go rounds tomorrow in our Auzmet Architectural Chevrolet Camaro and we want to find out what’s wrong with the car.”
No. 15 Tucker will race No. 2 Jason Line in the first round of eliminations tomorrow morning. Tucker and his team are ready to give the current points leader a run for his money despite their bottom-half qualifying position.
“Hopefully by 12:00 p.m. tomorrow we will know what the problem is,” Tucker smiled.
