It was a true zero-to-hero moment for the upstart driver from Pittsburgh, who was literally last on the timing sheet heading into the fourth and final time trial, but her Dave Hirata-tuned CARS Protection Plus/Schepel Motors/NGK/Lucas Oil dragster was flawless in her last pass, sending a loud and clear message to the rest of the field.
"I'm definitely happy with that run," Tedesco said. "We've been working on some stuff, trying to work out some bugs that have been popping up. We found something yesterday but didn't have the greatest of runs yesterday or this morning.
"Round 4 we came out and knew we had to swing for the fence because everyone was going pretty quick this morning and that's exactly what we did. It's the U.S. Nationals. You can't really baby it. You have to go for it every round and in Q4 it worked out, so it was a good day."
Tedesco remains alive in both categories she's racing at Indy, as her CARS Protection Plus/VP Racing Fuels Chevrolet Cavalier has already carried her to three elimination round-wins in Super Gas.
"I feel good in both cars," she said. "I feel good in the Super Gas car and in the alcohol dragster. I'm just trying to stay relaxed and do what I know to do and have fun doing it."
Super Gas could continue as early at 8 a.m., Sunday, with Top Alcohol Dragster eliminations beginning at 9:45 a.m. Round 2 of TAD is slated for 2:30 p.m.
"The game plan is to just go round by round," Tedesco said. "We plan to do whatever we have to do to win, and that means getting the cars to go down under power and make good runs. We actually had to change motors today because in the earlier qualifying run we blew one up. So we'll have a new motor tomorrow, new everything, and start the day out fresh. Like I said, I'm just going to go round by round, be smart, and just try to get down the track."
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| Mia Tedesco ran a 5.244 with her CARS Protection Plus/Schepel Motors/NGK/Lucas Oil dragster to assume the No. 1 qualifier spot in Top Alcohol Dragster at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals. |
