December 31, 2007

Happy New year

"Photo highlights 2007"

SpeedZone Magazine.com

Bill Jeffery photography

2007 photo pages:

Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock (IHRA and NHRA), Top Alcohol, Pro Mod, Sportsman, People, Nostalgia and Specialty page.

Drag racing fans!

This past year in drag racing has been filled with so many memories and emotions for all of us. In the professional NHRA ranks, we have followed one of drag racings rising stars, Ashley Force as she worked her way through the trials and tribulations of driving a Nitro Funny Car in her rookie year in what could only be described as an emotional roller coaster for Team Force. Their year began with nothing but excitement and anticipation. Of course, we know the rest of the story. The tragic death of driver Eric Medlen shook the team and the drag racing world to the core. Then Ashley crashed in Seattle, almost causing Dad to have a "John Force style" heart attack on the spot. Later, in Dallas we witnessed the horrific and near fatal crash of the sports most prolific and loved driver, John Force. And through it all the team rallied together and inspired all of us with their love and concern for each other and their fans, and their incredible ability to face adversity with compassion, professionalism, determination and drive.

 

In other camps, drivers and crew chiefs were fired and hired, sponsorships were written and ended, and everyone prepared themselves for the inauguration of NHRA’s Countdown to the Championship format. Who would benefit? Who would lose out? Would it create the type of climactic ending to the season that it was designed to produce? Well, if you ask the drivers, they would tell you that it was the most emotional and stressful season ever. And if you were a fan lucky enough to attend both Las Vegas and Pomona, you would probably agree that those two races were very exciting.

To add to the emotion, drag racing founding father Wally Parks passed away just a short time before the World Finals. From drivers to owners, sponsors and staff, media and of course the fans, Wally touched so many along the way. Clearly he was a giant loved by all.

As a result, the 2007 World Finals in Pomona became one of those once in a life time events. Four out of four professional drivers were crowned that day and yes, tuning wizard Alan Johnson and top gun pilot Tony Schumacher waited until the last pass to win their fourth consecutive Top Fuel title. Earlier in the day another Tony (Pedregon) hoisted the trophy high above his head and gave an emotional, teary eyed acceptance speech that showed everyone just how important and difficult it is to win the championship and the passion it takes to win it all. And it would be impossible to forget the image of team Jeg’s as their Pro Stocker crossed the line first to clinch the series. It was a sea of yellow at the starting line. The entire team had their arms raised in the air and were jumping for joy at the same time.

But for me, the most special moment was the amazing tribute to the late Wally Parks. Quietly, throughout the day, several historical and current day race cars were lined up along the guard rail in preparation for the tribute. Then, just as the sun was setting over the famed drag racing facility, they came. Lined up along the starting line was the who’s who of drag racing, introduced by the now retired NHRA announcer Steve McLelland. Everyone from founding Division directors and Safety Safari members, to legendary drivers including “the Grump”, Amato, Bernstein, Moates, and celebrities like Linda Vaughn were there. The introductions were followed by a moving video tribute on the giant jumbotron. Then the focus changed as down track more legends began climbing in to the cars of yesterday. Snake, TV Tommy, Big Daddy, Capps, Brown and more squeezed one more time in to their chariots of fire and for one incredible minute we were all mesmerized by this show of respect for the man who started it all. It was a very moving and fitting moment and one this fan will never forget.

Closer to home, in the Pacific Northwest the sun gods did not show us much favour in 2007. Most major events were threatened by the wet stuff but the teams were as determined as ever to do battle under difficult conditions. Patience was the name of the game. Mission, Edmonton and Seattle were all affected time and time again but there were some things to cheer about. How about the first 8 car field of nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars back at Mission’s sea level track? The weekend included attendance and color commentary by the iconic car artist Kenny Youngblood, a 5 second side by side pass, and of course the stunning 5.85 second run by Canada’s own Terry Capp (tuned by no less than the legendary Roland Leong himself) in the famed Bubble-Up Funny Car.

In Edmonton, the Rocky Mountain Nationals included the best Nitro field in its history and the record crowd was treated to some incredible racing at that facility. Five minutes after the event concluded the skies opened up with a torrential downpour. The timing was uncanny. And speaking of the IHRA, congratulations must go out to Bruce Litton for finally clinching a world title in Top Fuel after so many near misses over the years.

Seattle’s National event program was greatly shortened due to rain. Officials were determined to at least accommodate the pro categories during the weekend so they could move on to their next event. This of course did not sit well with the sportsman racers who pretty much spent the entire weekend waiting for their shot down the track. Racing for most of them would not happen until the beginning of the next week when the crowds and TV crews had long departed.

I guess I could continue to write about the 2007 racing season, but as a photographer I would rather summarize the year in pictures. So here it is, my 2007 pictorial year in review. Included are photos of some of the moments mentioned above and many more. As a credited photographer for this magazine I am truly blessed to have access to those areas restricted to most fans so I wanted to share my work and memories with each of you. I hope that you enjoy them. I wish each of you a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy and safe year ahead.

Bill Jeffery,

Photographer, Speedzone Magazine

Photo pages: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock (IHRA and NHRA), Top Alcohol, Pro Mod, Sportsman, People and specialty page.

 

 

 

2006 Speedzone Photo Highlights

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