Tim Marshall photo

Veteran Dale Van Gundy in his “Quarter Pounder” Dodge Challenger ran a best of 6.875 to qualify for the large Nitro Funny Car field.

Frank Kunkel Photography

Mike Chrisman (near lane) tangled with ‘Digger Dan’ Horan during qualifying on Saturday.  Horan was knocked out on the initial impact with Chrisman and roared down the track with the throttle wide-open.  Horan Sr. is recuperating with his son Dan Jr., but will probably not drive a top fuel dragster again.

James Drew Photo

First a quick update on the Mike Chrisman and Dan Horan. Chrisman who was driving a new car rumored to be owned by Gary Beck was not injured and the car evidently will require new body panels at the least but the chassis will have to go on the chassis jig to see if it is was bent. Dan Horan was apparently not seriously injured in the accident and his son Dan Horan Jr was racing his Mustang Flopper today and was at the track so we are all assuming that he was not seriously hurt. His Dad’s car however was totaled!

Jeff Burk Photo

Now for the wrap-up on Today’s top Fuel qualifying.

Bret Harris, son of front-motored fuel legend Jack “The sheriff” Harris went to the number one qualifying when the Famoso racing surface benefited from some direct sunlight and cool air in the last couple of hours of daylight. After two rounds there were just two cars in the fives but after the final afternoon session no fewer than six cars went into the five-second-zone lead by Harris’ 5.692 lap in the final round.

Jeff Burk Photo

Top speed of the meet so far was recorded by defending Heritage series Champ Troy Green when he ran a 261.78 on a 5.822 lap.

Jeff Burk Photo

With the addition of two more cars that made passes on Saturday the Top Fuel field will have exactly 16 cars tomorrow. Mark Malde holds down the bump spot with a less than stellar 10.88 lap. If you are looking for a dark horse bet for tomorrow put your money on Mike McLennan (shown right). He had the best incrementals in the final round with a 2.64 in 330ft and a 3.959 timing in the 1/8th mile. He was consistently the quickest and fastest to half-track all day long. If he figures out the back half he could give the big guns a run for their money. Still the favorite to win tomorrow would have to be Harris.

Darr hawthorne Photo

Funny Car final qualifying.

The funny car tuners and drivers struggled mightily Friday night and through the second round on Saturday. Only the Pluger and Gyger teams seemed to have a handle on the track. In the second Bateman continued to lead qualifying with a 5.854 effort and the P&G cars were the only fuel cars on the premises that could deal out consistent sub one-second 60-foot times. That team did have its problems though as Bucky Austin didn’t make a second round attempt as his team pulled him out of line just before his turn and he remained unqualified going into the last qualifying session setting on a 6.63.

Tim Marshall Photo

Still though there were four floppers in the fives after two rounds including Ed Dougan in the Charlie O’Niell’s “Fighting Irish” ‘74 Camaro, who ran a personal best 5.897/240.77 plus Kris Krabill in the Cory Lee tuned “Pedaler” and Terry Capp with tuner Roland Leong. They ran a 5.92 and a 5.96 respectively.

Darr Hawthorne Photo

The second round also saw Dave Benjamin’s brand new Red Dragon ‘Cuda huff a blower and send the body of the brand new car a couple of hundred feet in the air.  (see next panel)

Tim Marshall Photo

A new height record for funny car bodies...

Jeff Burk Photo

In the last round of qualifying the funny car tuners got their act together big time and figured out the track.

Bucky Austin went from not being qualified to the pole position and has one leg of a new National Record for AA/FC with a 5.778/245.96.

Nineteen-year-old Jake “The Snake” Sanders put a tune-up in the engine and clutch and Dad Mark drove the ‘70 Nova to a 5.917/243.50 which is a personal best for the driver and tuner for Mr. Explosive.  It was especially sweet considering the teams had labored through two sessions and were setting in the 20 spot going into the final round.

Tim Marshall Photo

Lee Jennings Sr. tuned up his brand new ‘79 Camaro and his son Lee Paul wheeled it to a 5.875 at just 224mph.

Tim Marshall Photo

Dennis Taylor who was driving in his first race as a nitro pilot put Gary Messenger’s Cuda into the eighth and final spot for the “A” main with a last ditch qualifier of 5.962/224 which was good for the bump spot and an all five-second field. The first all five-second AA/FC field in the history of the Hot Rod Heritage Series.

Tim Marshall Photo

The “B” main was lead by Mike Halstead in the Jeff Gaynor tuned ‘69 Daytona with a 6.014/240.06. The bump spot is held Craig Michael from Las Vegas driving his ‘72 Plymouth to a 6.181/223.21 Also making the “B” main are Dale Pulde and Mendy Fry.

If you are a betting person put your money on the Plueger teams especially Bucky Austin and if you want a long shot tip I’m going with Mark Sanders “Mr Explosive” and the Washington State Mafia.

Eliminations begin at Noon.

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour.

Jeff Burk Photo

Famoso Raceway was packed, not only to celebrate great racing, but the word had also leaked out that it was the Burkster’s Birthday!!

Jeff Burk Photo

The Legendary Art Chrisman at the wheel of the Chrisman and Cannon dragster.

Jeff Burk Photo

The re-poped Don Garlits dragster belonging to Sonny Messinger has sprung a leak.

Jeff Burk Photo

Crowd favorite Mike Boyd, driving the Winged Express closes out Saturday’s action.