Lane Automotive

Bobby Martin pilots the ParkerTech/Lane Automotive funny car to victory!

It is often said that into each life a little rain must fall. While this often has negative connotations, for Frank Parker and Bobby Martin and the Lane Automotive Top Alcohol Funny Car, the opposite was true. Rain canceled out the third round of qualifications at the "Big Go" - the Indy U.S. Nationals on Sunday, letting the team's stout 5.57 e.t. in the second round of qualifying remain as the number one spot.

In the first round of eliminations, Martin faced Ken Webster. After an almost even start, the cars appeared even at the 330' mark, but then Bobby started to pull away, winning by a little more than a car length at the finish with a 5.63 @ 257.73 miles per hour

Facing Alexis DeJoria in the second round, the Lane Automotive Dodge Charger left a bit late, but managed to catch up by half track going on to post another 5.63 to pull out the win by about nine feet.

Round three action was to have been a hot one between Bobby Martin and veteran alcohol funny car campaigner, Vern Moats. It was not to be, however, as Moats could not make the call. Martin still charged to a 5.66, putting him in the final against Steve Harker, who had dispatched "The Ace", Frank Manzo, in round three.

Lady Luck took over the reins and helped Bobby Martin score his second victory of the 2009 season when Steve Harker, who was ahead at half track and pulling away for the win, helplessly felt his engine going away, slowing him to a 6.18 @ 166.60. Martin, the picture of consistency, ran a 5.67 at 254 for the win.