[Mike Delahanty]

For those that missed the final round in Stock on D3TV after 11:00 pm last night, it was one of those things you don’t see that often – an Autostart count-out. Bryan Merkle vs. Aaron Allison. Aaron lit the second bulb first – but the car must have rolled back out and the light flickered out just for a moment – and he pulled it back into the stage beam. In the other lane Bryan was meticulously inching his way into the second beam. I’m very sensitive to the Autostart 7 second timer because I like to slowly inch my way in just like Bryan. I know Bryan uses most of those 7 seconds. I started my count of Bryans’ time when Aaron’s light went back on. At my count of “5” - Bryans’ tree went red. The Autostart must have triggered to start when Aaron crept into the second stage beam the first time.

A tough break. And I’m sure it will make us all a little more conscious of those 7 seconds.

NORWALK, Ohio - Results of final, round 7 eliminations in Stock Eliminator at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central Division, Cavalcade of Stars presented by Budweiser:

Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET-- Speed-----Car#-Driver(Opp'nt)-RT-----ET-- Speed
395 Aaron Allison 37 Bryan Merkle
E7 ****WINNER**** 1.029 19.406 73.54 No Time
B/S Dial: 10.30 (+/-): 9.106 B/SA Dial: 10.64 (+/-): 89.359
Prior rounds:
E6 (B Zaskowski ) 0.065 10.343 0.013 (D Fletcher ) 0.028 10.665 0.025
E5 (S Novosel ) 3.154 10.984 0.684 Bye 0.088 10.761 0.041
E4 (C Beach ) 0.027 10.318 -0.012 (B Wenzel Sr ) -0.017 10.715 0.075
E3 (G Stone ) 0.008 10.470 0.140 (C Marshall ) 0.000 10.654 -0.016
E2 (E Campolito ) 0.002 10.390 0.020 (C Weber ) 0.058 10.740 0.050
E1 (D Kincaid ) 0.005 10.451 0.021 (K Sepanek ) 0.038 10.674 0.024

Qualified: #15 10.324 -0.876 #85 10.775 -0.475

NOTE: Actual lanes not known. Winner listed first. Merkle did not make a pass.