Funny Car Fever

 

 

The funny car final didn't surprise anyone when teammates Bucky Austin and Garrett Bateman squared off in their Steve Plueger cars for the 'A' field title.

 

 

Both cars left together but it was Bucky's ride that had the better set up. Austin's incredible 5.723 at 246.77 got the best of Bateman's impressive 5.853 at 245.36. Not sure, but I think this was the quickest and fastest side by side NFC race to date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The winner of the Funny Car 'B' field was Mike Halstead who defeated Jack Wright 6.035 at 239.10 to 6.491at 188.67

 

 

 

In the semis, Austin took out Lee Paul Jennings in the new sleek American Revolution entry. Jennings gave Bucky a race (including a hole shot) but his 5.876 at 244.56 was not enough for Austin's 5.789 at 242.06.

 

 

"Vegas Heat" lived up to its moniker in the first session of qualifying when some rods decided to exit on the top end. Craig Michael and the car were fine and a new bullet was ready to go by nightfall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Padilla had a rough outing in the brand new Satellite of Dave Benjamin. Good looking car that was just finished Wednesday night. This is the first full pass on the car.... well, almost full pass.

 

 

Going into the lights (and right under the boom crane) Padilla experienced a huge blower explosion which literally launched the body into orbit. By all accounts NOBODY has ever seen a body go as high as The Dragon did.

 

 

 

These were shot from the crane which means Dan was already 60' in the air.

 

 

 

 

 

After what seemed like forever, the body finally came to rest on the track. Believe it or not, the latest report is the "glass guy" thinks he can re-roof the Satellite and save the rest.

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Utterback had to abort this Q2 attempt in the Pisano & Matsubara tribute car.

 

 

Lee Paul Jennings and dad Lee debuted this beautiful new body and paint job at the March Meet and went to the semi finals. Noteworthy is the loss of long time crew chief Ray Zeller who was tuning the Mill Road Boys.

 

 

 

 

 

Terry Capp in the Roland Leong tuned Bubble Up Firebird.

 

 

 

 

Eventual winner Bucky Austin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you say tire shake?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teammates Bucky Austin and Garrett Bateman on their way to the final.

 

 

 

 

Mike Halstead won the Funny Car 'B' field with a 6.03 at 239.

 

Page 1 - Session One of Qualifying

Page 2 - Sessions 3 & 4 Qualifying

Page 3 - Round One of Top Fuel

Page 4 - Round Two thru Final

Page 6 - Other Winners - Misc. Photos