Fellow Canadian Roy Moznik in a new 1969 Chevy El Camino was #10 at an off pace 7.393. He was followed by Art Hodges and his Figspeed Dodge Stratus that just could not get a handle on this hot track during qualifying.
The last Pro Street car was the immaculate Black Mustang of Kurtis Tavnoz from Auburn, Wash. Unfortunately, he only made a half pass followed by a very scary ride for the driver when he lost control of the Mustang past the 1320 maker and barreled rolled ending up upside down and the car was a total loss. Tavnoz is fine due to all the PSCA/NHRA safety and such a well-built car, but that ended his hopes for the weekend.
There were lots broken parts at the Fall Nationals, including Bluebaugh ,who has been really running hard lately, but internal engine problems occurred in the WFO Monte Carlo giving Maggio a single pass at 6.856, 210.23 mph. Hairston also drew a single pass and drove his Bakersfield, CA-based GTO to another strong run of 6.405, 222.50 mph. Valencia’s Tim Henry and the Con Quest Concrete backed Camaro kind of got a single when Canadian Jay Syverson broke at about the 1,000-foot mark running only 7.298, 193.65 mph to Henry’s outstanding 6.585, 213.23 mph.
Neither Mihovetz nor Moznik could get their cars fixed in time for first round either, so Vogt’s ‘66 Vette breezed to a 6.660, 212.49 mph win, while Griffith is his potent Kirk Kuhns-wrenched Viper motored to a 6.569, 222.58 mph. Finally a real race in round one when Hodges faced record holding Gentile, with the present record holder just nipping veteran racer Hodges at 6.752, 226.66 mph (Top Speed of the event) to Arts’ 6.894, 207.21 mph.
In the next round, the candy maroon Viper of Griffith and company cut a nice light (.034RT) and then followed through with another fine 6.594, 221.17 mph while Vogt got a bit out of shape and wisely shut off with a 8.111, 152 mph. Henry in the Henry Brothers’ Con Quest Camaro laid down his best effort of the weekend when it counted most at 6.555, 214.08 mph when Hairston shook the tires for the first time this weekend, resulting in a losing effort of 6.5698,220.87 mph as he was coming on strong on top end. Gentile also had some traction problems with the Turbo People Mustang, and “rookie” Mike Maggio laid down his best-ever 6.774, 214.08 mph and the win.
Maggio, in only his second PSCA event, got the odd-lot single and this time eased on through at only 11.6, 67, 74 mph. Meanwhile Griffith and Henry matched up in a blower car vs nitrous race. With both cars leaving together it was anyone’s race, but the win went to the Con Quest Camaro with Tim Henry aboard, at 6.591, 214.25 mph to Bob Griffith’s off-pace 6.745, 201.88 mph.
In a much delayed final round (see explanation in Extreme Street) Henry was lightning sharp on the starting line at (.023RT) and that’s exactly how the race ended as the Pat Musi-powered Camaro streaked to another easy and soft pass of 6.779, 209.07 mph while Maggio did not just give in at 6.998, 197.48 mph.