The tight qualified field also included a new car debut with NHRA “Big Show” driver Ron Capps piloting the “Future Flash” ’72 Dodge Charger. Capps landed in the #7 qualifying slot with a 6.145 E.T. and met runner-up Capp in the elimination round. Ron Capps’ stellar holeshot wasn’t enough as the Bubble-up car charged past him on the top end, running a 6.114/238.79 MPH to Capps’ slowing 6.272 E.T.
Perhaps the scariest moment in the event came in the initial round when veteran Funny Car driver Randy Walls from El Cajon, CA, fireballed his car when an engine backfire caused his fuel tank to rupture. Walls received burns to his hands and legs and he also inhaled smoke before exiting the intense flames with help from the top end safety workers. (Jon LeMoine photo)
In Junior Fuel A competition Scott Parks driving the Neil & Parks dragster from Burlingame, KS, ran a stout 6.881 in the final round defeating J.D. Zink. In the Junior Fuel B field Fred Notzka from Ventura, CA, defeated #1 qualifier John Rasmussen in their final.
Tom Schiffilea’s 8.025/144.43 MPH charge covered Ray Martin’s 8.491/163.19 MPH pass to get the A/Gas win. After five rounds of Nostalgia Eliminator competition Ronnie Lennon’s 7.710/158.28 defeated John Leso’s 8.125 in the final.
In the A/Fuel final Darrell Waters ran 6.409/216.29 defeating Claude Lavoie’s 6.453. AA/Gas Supercharged brought Sean Renteria’s sleek Plymouth Valiant against Chris Abbey’s Corvette with Renteria taking the victory in a close final 6.789 to Abbey’s 6.806.
