REICHERT CLINCHES TAD TITLE
The battle is over. NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Bill Reichert and his Rislone Engine Treatment/Bar's Leaks team clinched their first World Championship with a semifinal finish at the Torco Race Fuels Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Reichert, from Owosso, MI, qualified his injected-nitro dragster second in the field with a 5.209 second pass at 276.63 mph. Standing in Reichert's way of clinching his first World Championship was veteran Mike Kosky in round two. After coming close to winning the
2004 Championship, Reichert would not be denied this time and took the win with a 5.251 at 275.17 mph to clinch the championship.
Hoping to cap the celebration with an event win, Reichert took on Division 3 rival Marty Thacker in the semifinals. Thacker took a starting line advantage that would be enough to hold off Reichert's 5.255 at 276.01 mph with his own 5.270 at 268.28 mph.
"Right now I'm just relieved," Reichert said. "It's like a large weight is off my shoulders. In 2004 I really felt the pressure and let it get to me. After that, I told myself if I ever put myself in position to win another Championship, I wouldn't let the pressure get to me. You just can't help but feel it and it does get to you. Maybe if you're like [Top Alcohol Funny Car competitor Frank] Manzo and won countless championships, it might not affect you, but this is our first. The desire to win the Championship is so great, it's hard not to feel the pressure when you're that close. Now we can go out West and have fun instead of worrying." (Ron Lewis photo) [10-17-2006]
THOMPSON MURDER CASE FINALLY GOES TO TRIAL
After more than 18 years, it appears the trial will finally begin for Michael F. Goodwin, charged with the murders of Mickey and Trudy Thompson on March 16, 1988.
Goodwin, a former business partner of tire manufacturer and promoter Thompson, was arrested Dec. 13, 2001. He is alleged to have hired two “hit men” to kill the couple, who were gunned down in the driveway of their gated Bradbury, CA, home. The men have not been identified nor caught. Goodwin has been in custody ever since his arrest. After many motions by the defense attorney over the years, which were all denied by the judge, the trial will begin in Los Angeles County, Pasadena Superior Court. Jury selection began Oct. 17. [10-17-2006]
