Extreme 10.5’s Pappas: 3.79 Is The Goal

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It didn’t translate into next-day success, but Spiro Pappas is hoping the 3.98-second pass that earned him the top qualifying spot in Extreme 10.5 at the ADRL Hardee’s Gateway Drags III is a sign of things to come.After all, it’s been a process that’s consumed the better part of the 2010 season.Trading possible immediate success for long-term triumphs and eye-popping records, Pappas and his team changed a significant amount on his car that earned him a 2009 ADRL World Championship.But Pappas didn’t allow that accomplishment serve as a reason to stay comfortable.Instead, it’s been the extreme opposite, even if it hasn’t meant any 2010 wins or it’s brought about some mid-summer struggles.Pappas (pictured with 2009 World Championship) simply has some big goals in mind over the next two months.“A lot of our guys wanted to go back to where we were, but I said we’re going to work at this and get it figured out so by the end of the year we can get a 3.79,” Pappas said. It’s bold, but Pappas said it with extreme confidence and with the conviction of a driver who sees it all coming into place.He holds the XTF world record with a run of 3.92, but 3.79 is a huge jump. Getting there, however, has been the goal all along and Pappas has stayed true to reaching that mark.“We made some changes after the beginning of the season to be able to run in the 3.70s and by doing that we sacrificed part of the season during the heat,” Pappas said. “We’ve learned a lot.”Pappas has kept an open mind in trying to reach that end goal as well.In St. Louis, he spent time with close friend and car builder Jerry Haas, who pointed out some needed adjustments that needed to be made to the suspension.Pappas and his team listened, and the 3.98 followed on that Friday qualifying session under the lights.They were bounced out in the quarterfinals the next day, but that qualifying run was still a much-needed result.“This was a good sign,” Pappas said. “We had to learn the tuneup all over again. It took some time but we’re pleased with the results and where we’re at.”Pappas also isn’t shy about embracing the challenge that reaching the 3.79 mark has become.“I love the challenge of this,” Pappas said. “I set my mind on something and it’s a challenge. Now, we have a few races to get our team’s confidence back.”That had to happen after a first-round exit in Topeka in July, and a red-light loss in the second round of the UTI Texas Drags later that month.But everyone on the team could see the potential. The 3.98 at Gateway International Raceway came with 14 less pounds of boost than it took to reach that time last year.“The thing’s an animal,” Pappas said. “But it takes changing the entire car to make everything work.”There isn’t much more time with which to work. Only two races remain before the LenMar Motorsports World Finals VI in October and Pappas is currently in fifth in the points standings.He doesn’t appear in danger of dropping out of the top eight, but with no wins and no finals appearances in 2010, Pappas would like some momentum heading into that final race.There are two chances in September - Simpson Dragstock VII in Rockingham, NC (Sept. 10-11) and the Summit Racing Equipment Ohio Drags in Norwalk, OH (Sept. 24-25) - that present an opportunity and cooler temperatures could allow for Pappas to do big things.With Gary White, Billy Glidden, Todd Moyer and Jeff Naiser ahead of him, and Chuck Ulsch right behind, Pappas knows it won’t be easy.“These guys are hungry for big numbers,” Pappas said. “I love it when they step it up. I love seeing the 3’s because it fires me up. I’m excited to see who’s next in the 3-second club and who’s going to do it.”Pappas, though, is just as excited to see a payoff for the year of work.As the smile after the 3.98 pass indicated, Pappas knew what the run meant.“That we’re back,” Pappas said. “After that, I think we’re capable of getting in the 3.70s.”(Photos by ADRL/Richards)

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