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March Nitro Madness is upon the Burkster - AA/FD

By Jeff Burk

The annual March Meet at Famoso is less than 10 days from starting and the Burkster is starting to get that glint in his third eye signaling the onset of nitro madness. He is a certified nitroholic!

And he has good reason: A 32-car qualified field in AA/FC and a 16-car field in AA/FD means that the odds are very good that more than 60 dragster and funny car teams will be at Bakersfield, undoubtedly the largest gathering since the 1979? U.S. National when it had a 32-car Top Fuel field.  

Add in the other nitro burners that compete outside of those two marquee classes and we are looking at the possibility of 70-80 nitro burning race cars at the March Meet. Add the cackle cars and the number of nitro burners on the grounds could go into triple digits. If you are a genuine nitro junkie like the Burkster, there just isn’t any other race that has the attraction this one offers.

Now as you readers know, the Burkster’s vices are (in order): nitro, adult beverages, gambling, and nitro. His weakness for these vices is well documented. So, with apologies to the other handicappers -- of which there are two or three -- here are the Burkster’s pilsner-fueled picks for AA/FD.

Oh, and I encourage betting on the races. I’ll be at about a thousand feet with a wad of dollar bills in one hand and a margarita in the other looking for some action.
1. Rick White    San Diego-based team dominated at the Boise meet. They never get in a hurry and the tuner has command of the car. They go just quick enough to win. If the weather is cold they might dominate 2-1
2. Jim Murphy Winning here is a habit for this driver and team. 5.50’s a good possibility. Could easily be in final against White and crew if they can can last 2-1
3. Brad Thompson Car is plenty capable and the driver is a proven winner but driver, car and crew have to jell at biggest race of year to win 3-1
4. Rick McGee Probably will qualify near the top. Capable of winning but needs a little racing luck. If they get in a groove early, lookout 4-1
5. Howard Haight

Car absolutely hauled at Midwest races. Midwest driver and East Coast owner motivated to prove they belong

 6-1
6. Denver Shutz Don’t sell these guys short. Can run 5.80’s at will on any track. Dangerous If they get past first round 6-1
7. Rick Williams Strong car and driver showed improvement at end of last season. Ready to win the big one 7-1
8. Tony Bartone Tony doesn’t play. Boggs and Bartone came to win.
Boggs’ tuneup will make power. Will have to learn the track		 10-1
9. Adam Sorokin New car and new engine for a veteran crew and shoe will need to get car and engine sorted early  to compete and win 15-1
10. Randy Eakins
10a. John Cox		 Both teams use 426 motors and now have 44 amp mag. Will mag change make 426 combination “wake-up”? If they make power they could surprise 20-1

Cick here to print this tip sheet and take it to the races!

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