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Geico goes to Todd
One of the Agent’s operatives tells us that the Geico Insurance sponsorship that’s been shopped around the NHRA nitro pits over the last couple of weeks has reportedly landed on the Lucas Oil-sponsored Top Fueler of J.R. Todd, who beat Tony Schumacher in Dallas last month. Looks like this will solidify the well-financed Forrest Lucas-owned two-car team into 2009. [10/08/08]
Bluebaugh wins WCHRA championship
Kelly Bluebaugh skillfully claimed the West Coast Hot Rod Association (WCHRA) 2008 Pro Street Championship from the underdog position last weekend at the Sacramento (Calif.) Raceway. Bluebaugh started the event 28 points behind the FigSpeed Stratus of Art Hodges and only several points ahead of Tim Henry in his Conquest Concrete Firebird. In order to take the Championship, Bluebaugh had to qualify the AutoTrader Monte Carlo better than Hodges and run more rounds, while combating the possibility that Henry could also steal the prize at even the slightest slip.
Bluebaugh, who qualified in the number two spot with a 6.56/215.95, caught a break when Hodges went out in the first round. Bluebaugh got past Monty Berney only to meet Tim Henry in the semi final with the championship on the line. Henry caught the hole shot advantage but Bluebaugh’s Monte Carlo made its move by the 330, quickly reeling in Henry and taking a strong lead. It was a wild pedal fest to the finish with Bluebaugh coming out victorious with a 6.763 at 200.00 mph over Henry’s 7.444/167.82 mph.
Crew chief Deborah Woodard (seen above) said this was really a tuners’ Championship battle as the Sacramento Raceway proved a traction challenge for the high-horsepower Pro Street class from the transition through the top end. “I finally resorted to purposely clothes lining the clutch, which has been contrary to our strategy of trying not to burn through the clutch,’ she said. “The end result paid off in combination with Bluebaugh’s ability to drive the car through just about any condition.” (Tim Marshall photo) [10/08/08]
Triple Nickel returns
Yes indeed, the vehicle that Richard Burk described in one of the first issues of Drag Racing Online’s old “My First Time” column by stating: "I sure remember the first car I thought was cool. It was a Model A Ford roadster called the ‘Triple Nickel.’ Number 555 was fast and that car was gorgeous! It made me tingle all over the first time I saw it run" will be on display this weekend at the California Hot Rod Reunion.
Barry Darlington, who has been "keeping the car safe and warm for the past 42 years", sold the Triple Nickel back to one of the original co-owners this summer and the all-steel and original '29 Ford Roadster has been restored to the condition that earned the Waters and Murray machine the cover and a featured article in the December 1956 issue of Rod and Custom magazine.
Could the car eventually end up in the NHRA museum? Only time will tell! [10/08/08]