A little Nostalgia action

Words by Darr Hawthorne
Photos by Tim Marshall and Ron Lewis

Mendry Fry (near lane) and Josh Crawford. (Tim Marshall photo)

Nostalgia nitro funny cars got a shot at the Pomona Raceway track on Saturday morning prior to the third Finals pro qualifying session. The first pair out were Nate Bugg in the family’s “Lil’ Nate” ’71 Barracuda funny car and former DRO Nostalgia Editor Jeff Utterback driving the “Pisano & Matsubara” ’74 Vega flopper.  Nate Bugg cranked off a career best 5.971 elapsed time at 236.84 mph as Utterback shook the tires hard, slowing toward the finish line.  

Jeff Utterback and Nate Bugg  (Ron Lewis photos)

The second pair found Mendy Fry once again driving for Gary Messenger and Crew Chief Donnie Couch in the “Nitro Kitty” ’72 Dodge Charger and California Hot Rod Reunion Funny Car runner-up Josh Crawford in his ’69 Mustang, tuned by Bob Brooks.  Fry ran a 6.058 elapsed time at 237.75 mph with the victory going to Crawford who matched his career best ET 5.838 at 247.34 mph.  

Because of time limitations later in the day, neither Troy Green or Rick White’s Top Fuel dragsters were allowed to run down the Pomona quarter mile.