   Just prior to Top Fuel Goodguys PR guru John Drummond introduced the co-Grand Marshals - legends in our sport - Dave McClelland and Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen.    10:55 a.m. The National Anthem ends and Lee Jennings Sr (no photos). and Bill Dunlap fire up.  Dunlap did his job and left first but 1320 feet later Jennings' 6.100 at 223.76 was too much for Bill's 6.221 at 240.38.   Next out was Howard Haight and Brad Thompson.   Ray Zeller (behind car) had a safe warm weather tune-up in the car that netted Jennings a 6.262 at 221.02. Thompson smoked the tires just after the hit and coasted to a 13.064 at 63.14.  Both cars left together but Thompson really drove through the clutch. The rpm went sky high and the car barely moved and he wisely clicked it to a 8.502 at 106.72. Haight cleaned up on the track but n the Safari had to clean up after him. There's was oil in the left lane and there was a question if Haight could come back.    As the temp heated up Terry Cox and Rick White did their burnouts.    Another even leave but that's where the race ended. White smoked the tires and watched Cox run the only five of the day - a stout 5.999 at 242.58 which was made more impressive by the conditions.     The final pair of round two matched up Jeff Diehl and Sean Bellemeur.    Bellemeur left on Diehl and looked like he might get the win but just before the lights the tires came loose and there was a flash and loud boom from the engine... which can only mean one thing - $$$. 'The Surfer' covered Bellemeur's 6.366 at 197.80 with a 6.146 at 239.61 sending him to the semis.    2:35 p.m. Four cars left. The first pair was Howard Haight and Jeff Diehl (no photos).   Diehl closed his eyes and stabbed the pedal. When he opened his eyes he saw nothing but red. Haight saw the red as well and clicked it off very early. What Diehl didn't know was that Haight's ride was seriously wounded and the only hope it had was a red light in the other lane. Wished do come true.  The other pair in the semis was Lee Jennings and Terry Cox. Both cars had performed well but Cox had the advantage on paper (there's that paper thing again).    Cox had a great light and was on his way to the win when the car let him down. Jennings came from behind and had the chute accidentally come out at about 1000 feet. He dragged it through the lights and Heaven knows what his speed would have been if it wasn't at full blossom at that marker. Jennings carded a 6.315 at 194.84 to Cox's slowing 6.607 at 126.40 and would have lane choice over 'Fugowie' Howie Haight in the final.    5:13 p.m. It came down to this final round in Top fuel. Both drivers have a win this season, Jennings won the Nitro Night of Fire at Sacramento in June. Haight won earlier in the year at The March Meet. Once again, on paper Jennings was favored.   Nice side by side leave but Jennings shook the tires lose and was into full smoke... end of deal. Haight motored on to a 6.242 at 239.10 win - his second of the year. Like I said in the into; It's better to be lucky than good, and on this weekend Howard would be the first one to say, AMEN!  Top Fuel: Howard Haight  Funny Car: Larry Pettit   A/Fuel: Claude Lavoie   AA/GS: Chris Abbey   Junior Fuel A: Scott Parks   Jr. Fuel B: John Rasmussen   Nostalgia Eliminator: Dan Schrokosch  NE 2: Randy Winkle  NE III: Bobby Lee  A/GAS : Steve Castelli  B/GAS: Kevin Riley  C/GAS : Pat McDonald  D/GAS: Edward Carey  HOT ROD ELIMINATOR: Chuck Killian  Brendan Murry jumped into Gary Meadors 426 powered Speed Sport roadster and made it humm.  Kol Johnson had the Big Yohns Racing "Big Wheel" Jr. Fueler on hand and qualified # 5 but lost first round to wiley vet, Bud Hammer.  After years of dreaming, Marc McCormick fulfilled his dream and debuted his new Neil & Parks Jr. Fueler. Marc chose to play with the big kids (Jr. Fuel A) and fell short with a best of 7.782 at 163.51. Not bad for a car that wasn't even together three days before the race. Marc found new car problems like plugged nozzles but you can bet he will be a player in the near future.  Chuck Bayuck and other NE 1 cars wait in line for round two of eliminations.  Mike Savage in the newly repainted "Speed Sport" flopper out of Tucson, AZ  Steve Chrisman's Jr. Fueler  Jess Tyree  Engine wizard Gene Adams proves he can make faces and adjust valves at the same time.  In the pits was the Frantic Four and Stellings & Hampshire cacklecars.  Stormin Norman's world famous Nitro Pickles. Pick up a jar the next time you see the Frantic 4 Racing setup... or visit Norman on line at Frantic 4 Racing   Dennis Prater's beautiful Stellings & Hampshire fueler shared the Frantic 4 display.  Top Fuel to the lanes.  Meadors Speed Sport roadster sans body.   A fan with good taste! <grin>  Bill Dunlap from the Pomona tower.  WDIFL.com is a Left Coast Graphics Web Property. |