Darryl Mitchell put on an awesome display of 9.90 racing at the Meziere Enterprises sponsored “Cool Down Nationals” at Auto Club Dragway, Mitchell cruised to his final round win over Roger Kato with an amazing average elapsed time of 9.905 through six rounds of eliminations.
Ray Cordeiro—the Pro Gas Shootout points leader— earned the top qualifying honor with a 9.903 with his Corvette, followed by Kevin Allen with a 9.904 and reigning champ Pete Bothe was third at 9.905 for series fifth race of the season. Mitchell qualified 52nd with his ’03 Chevy Cavalier roadster with a .04 too quick timing.
Darryl began his incredible day of racing with a 9.901 win over Rick Gunther in round one, he stopped points contender Chris Newman with a 9.908 in round two and a 9.908 with a .009 reaction time in round three. In the quarterfinals, Darryl used a 9.904 to stop Topeka Super Gas national event champion Ryan Herem, and in the semi he used a .002 starting line advantage and took out point’s leader Glen Smith 9.894 to a losing 9.868.
Fresh off of a runner-up finish at the previous series race in June, Roger Kato went to another 
final with a win over R.J. Simrock in round one; he had a perfect light in round two to beat Val Torres, and then stopped Glenn Wagner in the third round. Roger defeated Val Torres Jr., in the quarters, and went to his second-straight final with a .007 reaction time to beat Gary Mignacca in the semi. Kato had a .001-advantage at the starting line against Mitchell, but Darryl laid down his fifth 9.90 of the event and went to his first final round with his Cavalier, 9.903, 158.52 to Kato’s second best of 9.910, 160.92.
final with a win over R.J. Simrock in round one; he had a perfect light in round two to beat Val Torres, and then stopped Glenn Wagner in the third round. Roger defeated Val Torres Jr., in the quarters, and went to his second-straight final with a .007 reaction time to beat Gary Mignacca in the semi. Kato had a .001-advantage at the starting line against Mitchell, but Darryl laid down his fifth 9.90 of the event and went to his first final round with his Cavalier, 9.903, 158.52 to Kato’s second best of 9.910, 160.92.Darryl Mitchell credits sponsors Worthy Motorsports, SRE Engines, RaceTrans Transmissions, Munsinger Converters, K & N Filters, Fast Eddies Race Car Fabrication, and Parmelee Custom Paint. Mitchell offered special thanks to Jed Bourquin, Al Ventura, Greg Ventura, Mike Perez, Don Higgins, Team Smooth, and wife Valerie and children Leah & Cy.
Photos credits: http://www.bobjohnsonphotography.com/
