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presented by
Photos by Rich Carlson and are copyright speedzonemagazine.com 2003 Saturday April 12, 2003 Scroll down for Sunday Qualifying is complete at the 16th annual O'Reilly Spring Nationals. Very few changes in position in any of the pro categories today, as conditions were quite warm and track temperature were in the 105-125 range. In Top Fuel Larry Dixon looked to have the best handle on conditions as he ran a low 4.60 (4.63) in session one, and a back breaking 4.52 in the final round of qualifying. Every car on the premises made very respectable laps as well, with the slowest car of the weekend was a pretty good 4.82/303 by Scott Palmer. The bump was very close to the NHRA record, as Scott Weis finally got on track and ran 4.695/306.26. Here are the match-ups for Sunday's first round. And the results from the first two rounds Sunday are: Kalitta/ Weis. Scott Weis is possibly one of the biggest disappointments
this year, and I don't expect any miracles in the first round here.
Take Doug! Dixon/Baca. Well, this could be a final or semi at most races. Baca is a little off this weekend and Dixon isn't. Dixon on both end of the track! The results: Dixon breaks their backs with a 4.52 to Baca's 4.65. Millican/Litton. These two have faced off in numerous situations over the past few years in the "I", and I expect the result to be the same as over there. Millican! The results: Millican wins again against Litton 4.58 to 6.01. Bernstein/M. Smith Mike Smith made a very good run to get in this tough field, but he needs a run like his qualifying effort to have even a remote chance, and I don't think he will get it. The results: The youngster goes on to the second round after a 4.65 to a tire smoking Mike Smith. J. Smith/R. Hartman-Smith. Don't these two get enough of each other 24/7/7. Its one each, so far this year, Make it 2-1 for John. The results: Great race! They both leave together and cross the line within a hundredth. Side by side 4.81's. Oh ya the winner, Rhonda by 2/1000'ths Herbert/Russell. A matchup of two pretty even cars under most conditions. But so far this year, neither have reached their potential. Herbert should win. The results: Herbert does win 4.71 to 5.33 Schumacher/McClenathan. Flip a coin on this one too. Heads Tony, tails Cory, its heads. Tony finally gets a round win after loosing in the first round at the last two events. The results: Wrong! Cory mac goes to round two, 4.67 to 4.78. Troxel/Grubnic. This one could have some fireworks. I like Melanie in a pedal-fest. The results: Melanie wins, in a pretty good drag rce 4.74 to 4.92 The second round saw..... Cory Mac takes on the IHRA king Clay Millican and it was over early, as Clay smokes the tires and Cory goes on to the semis. Doug Kalitta faced off against Melanie Troxel, and it too was over early as Ms. Troxel blows the tires off. Doug runs a 4.60. Larry Dixon and Doug Herbert were next in round two, and this one was an easy pick on paper. I guess that's why they race on the track, as Dixon smokes the tires early and Herbert smokes them late, giving him a 5 something et and a ticket to round three. Brandon Bernstein faced off against Rhonda Hartman in round two and it looked like Rhonda had this one early as she left on Brandon but at the lights, Brandon crosses first with a 4.58 to Rhonda's 4.68. Semi Final pairings are: Herbert/Cory Mac. I'm going with Doug Herbert
here as Cory will shake and smoke. The Results:
Wrong! Cory Mac goes to his second final of the year, when
Doug Herbert smoked and pedaled the tires. Cory goes in the final
round with alot of luck on his side after running only a 4.84/233 Bernstein/ Kalitta. I think Doug Kalitta will advance to the finals, in a close drag race. The Results: It wasn't close. Brandon shakes and smokes the tires and Doug streaks to a 4.65 win and has lane choice against Cory. The Final Cory Mac/D. Kalitta. Can the five in a row #1 qualifier get his first and deserving win of the year? Cory leaves first but only gets 300 feet out before blazing the tires, and Doug streaks away to his first win of what will probably be many, the way this team is performing. Kalitta runs a 4.580/323.43 to get within 4 rounds of first place Larry Dixon in the standings. Cory Mac moves up to fourth place.
Funny Car Much like Top Fuel today, the nitro coupes did not make a back breaking runs, but a couple car did step up to the plate. John Force for one. He made two 4.80 laps today including a very strong 4.820/315 lap in the first session. Scelzi finally made a decent 4.93 run, Cannon ran a 4.92 after struggling like Scelzi and Force. Dale Creasy is the only car in the field without a five second time slip, as his best is only a 6.59 but it was good enough to be in the field for Sunday. Jack Wyatt was the only non qualifier. Here are tomorrow's match-ups: Densham/Creasy. Based on qualifying, it is no contest. I believe that to be true. The results: Densham romps to a 4.98 after red light by Creasy
T.Pedregon/Wilkerson. Tony Pedregon should take this one. Tim Wilkerson has not run like earlier this year. The results: Tony wins to face his boss in round two after a close 4.93 to 4.98 victory.
 
Skuza/Gilbertson (both above). Skuza is a steady as he has been for the past year. I like his chances to go a couple rounds. The results: Skuza goes on to round two after a 5.07 run. Force/F.Pedregon. Force will get his second round win in this season The results: Force goes to his 2nd second round after a 5.10 to 6.11 win. Capps/C.Pedregon. Cruzer is better then the first few races, but Ron Capps will go to the second round. The results: Wrong! Cruzer advances with a good 4.99 to Capp's quicker but losing 4.95. Ouch!. Gray/Johnson Jr. Johnny Gray will have his hands full in this one. I think Tommy and the Skoal team have their ducks in a row, to go to the second round. The results: TJ goes to round two after a great side by side tire smoker. Second round matchups Force/T.Pedregon. Tony wins this one as the boss smokes the tires and Tony only runs a 5 something. Bazemore/Cruzer. Bazemore gets the win with a 5.05 to cruzer's 5.14. He faces Tony Pedregon in the semi finals. Worsham/Skuza. Worsham advances after a 4.92, to Skuza's tire hazing 6.52 Densham/TJ. Densham goes on to the semis finals after Tj double pumps the starting line, and will take on Del Worsham. Gary runs a 4.92 The Semis Tony Pedregon/Whit Bazemore. I think both cars have looked just average so far. That being said, Tony will pick up the pace and go on to the final. Gary Densham/Del Worsham. Del is due for a final round a, and he could do it here if he was to leave on Gary. I don't think it will happen though. Gary on to the final. The Final Tony Pedregon/Del Worsham. Tony is definitely on a hot streak to start the season as he goes for his third win of the year. But this weekend, Del Worsham is the better car so far in eliminations, running steady 4.90's. This is Del's second final of the year. This one was good. Both cars leave next to each other and are side by side right to the 1200 foot mark where Del appears to spin the tires slightly and allowing, Tony to squeak by for a 1/100th of a second win. That gives Tony a 63 point lead over tam mate Gary Densham. Del moves into fourth in the standings 135 points back. Pro Stock For as good as yesterday's Pro Stock rounds were, and they were great, today's were very anti-climatic. Out of the 35 cars on the grounds, only four cars changed their position from Friday, and those four cars were non qualified cars. In the last session, only three cars out of the qualified ones, ran in the 6.70's (Anderson, WJ, and Alderman), they should do well on Sunday. Here are the first round pairings, and fearless predicted outcomes:
KJ/Adams. Terry Adams is already having a career year. His Houston bubble will be burst here though. The results: Kurt runs in the 70's to go to round two.
Anderson/Yates. Hooray, Jim Yates gets into eliminations. His elation will be short lived though. The results: Wrong! A huge hole shot victory for Yates! Edwards/Gaines. Mike Edwards makes a rare appearance in Eliminations as well, but he seems to have a good car this weekend and should advance.The results: Right! Edwards goes to round two. Allen/Coughlin. This is a good one. I am going with Jeggie, 'cause I think a hole shot will win it. The results: Bruce Allen takes out the world champ to advance. Alderman/Stanfield. A couple Dodges here. Both are great leavers and Darrell has been very consistent. Pick the "Dodge Boy". The results: The elder Dodge boy wins. Krisher/ AJ. Red lights or what. These two have a handle on them. Who ever doesn't will win. Duh! AJ goes to the second round. The results: Wrong! Krisher goes to round two. Geoffrion/ Pawuk. Very interesting match-up. Scott in the only Ford, and Mark in a car crew chiefed by the winningest Ford driver in history. I hate to say it, but I think the Ford Escort will beat you Mr. Glidden. The results: Geoffrion goes to round two. Round two: WJ/Geoffrion. What a match-up. It was a great race with the Nitro Fish Ford taking out the professor to go on to the semis. Wow! The margin of victory was 2/10000th's. One inch! Kurt Johnson/Ron Krisher. A huge hole-shot for Krisher, but kJ catches Krisher in by the 1/8th mile and advances to the semi finals. Allen/Edwards. In this one, Edwards takes the victory to go to his first semi of the year after Bruce Allen slows. Alderman/Yates. Wow! Yates goes to the semis for the first time this year as well. It looks like Jim Yates is back on track. The Semis look like this: KJ/Yates. I think the tenth kJ has on Jim Yates will be way to much to overcome for the Split Fire car. kJ to his third final in a row. The results: Kurt has way to much power for the Yates team and runs another 6.70 to get lane choice and the odds for his second win in the last three finals. Geoffrion/Edwards. I Like Scott's chances here as he had 7/100th's in performance in the second round and that will be more than enough. The results: Geoffrion has the power to overcome a hole shot and go to his first final a four years. The Final in Pro Stock Geoffrion/KJ. What a great final! Both drivers leave almost together, so it came down to power, which kJ has had the edge so far today. He still had the edge but it was very close. Kurt Johnson crossed the finish line first with another 70 pass. This time a 6.780/204.78 to Scott's very close and best run Sunday , a 6.795/204.14. Kurt Johnson takes the lead in the standings over first round runner-up Greg Anderson by 18 points. His father WJ is solidly in third place. Scott Geoffrion is now in seventh place. Pro Stock Bike Bike is looking alot like the past couple years, with it being a girls sport. Angelle Savioe is proving to be more than just a pretty face or a rider that only won because she had Star racing under between her legs. She truly is a great rider in this class. At Houston she qualified only eighth, but continued to improve in every round of eliminations, and took on 2003 series runner-up Craig Treble. She had her best rt of the weekend and held off a hard charging Craig Treble who had high gear problems, by running a 7.138 to Craigs close 7.146. This keeps Angelle on top of the standings and extends her lead to 77 points over Geno Scali. Treble is in third one more point back. Friday April 11, 2003 1. The Kalitta clan does it again! 2. Clay Millican is using way too much octane! 3. The floppers are fast! 4. ....and so are the Pro Stocks 5. Bikes are looking good! TF 1. Doug Kalitta and the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster are close to what you would call, a one hit wonder. Every race so far, that team has come up with a shot that makes all the other teams look foolish. Friday nights 4.486/333.91 is just another notch on their qualifying bed post. Unfortunately for that team, their shots have yet to come on race day. But co-crew chiefs Connie Kalitta and Jim Oberhofer have got the qualifying tune up figured out. When the race day tune up is as deadly, everyone can mail the title to the Mac Tools team. Is it going to happen this year? Probably on occasion. The team is almost Eddie Hill like. Remember when "THE Thrill" would dominate the field Friday and Saturday, and then fall on his face on race day. Deja Vu all over again. They will get on track and, beer boyz, look out! 2. Clay Millican better go through fuel check as the 104= Octane car is running like they want both championship. After two low 4.50's they are a team to reckon with. If these type of numbers can continue, their first NHRA win is right around the corner. The rest of the top half in the long skinny cars are in the 4.50's as well, for one of the most impressive first days in qualifying ever. Dixon and Bernstein are three and four, John Smith makes a career 4.54 lap, Herbert goes 4.54 as well, Tony Schu goes 4.58 and Melanie Troxel makes a great 4.59 lap for her best since her "Team Schumacher" days. Darrell Russell goes 4.62 with the new body and Mike Smith run a career best by a bunch with a 4.64 to put him solidly into 12th after two sessions. David Baca and Cory Mac are still outside the field. FC 3. Based on the skinny cars you would have to say that the floppers had to run well too! you would be correct, at least for the top half dozen. The Funny cars must have gone for the moon on Friday, and for some it paid off. Gary Densham and Jimmy Prock showed everyone how its done, by running a super 4.755/325.69. Whit Bazemore is a little like Doug Kalitta, as he has no trouble in qualifying, after running a 4.778/232.89. He needs that Sunday tune-up now! Tony P. also ran in the 70's with a 4.794/316 mph shot. Del and Deano are next with 4.81's apiece and Ron Capps is next with a 4.82. Other then a few 4.85's by Gray, TJ and Cruzer and Wilkerson's 4.92, the rest of the field is wallowing in the mid 5's or slower. Expect a bunch more to run in the 70's or low 80's by the end of tomorrow's fourth session. PS 4. One word, outstanding!!! The factory hot rods were flying today, and it was all three brands. How about a 6.768/203+mph bump after only two sessions! A speed record already set and one leg on the et record. Both by different guys but the same last name and family. WJ has the et record with 6.720, and KJ has the speed record after two 205 laps, the best of 205.57. KJ was #2 with a 6.726 and Greg Anderson was #3 after a 6.727. Darrell Alderman is the best Dodge so far after running a 6.744, Scott Geoffrion is one of two Fords at Houston but he is the only onein the field so far with a best of 6.752. Jim Yates is in so far after running 6.766, Jeggie's in with a 6.760 and JR Carr anchored the top 16 after a career best 6.768. Five other cars are in the 6.70's, but are outside looking in (did I just say that?). PS Bikes 5. The Bikes are very fast also, and the bump spot is 7.274. Neither Harley V is in yet, but they are close. Andrew Hines ran a 7.282 and GT Tonglet ran 7.317. At the top is Geno Scali with a track record 7.138/185.84, and in second is Angel...err Karen Stoffer after her best even lap of 7.155/187.05. The field is all Suzuki right now and the bump is held by Sam Hurwitz at a 7.274 April 7, 2003 Millican inks 104+ Octane Boost
as sponsor of his NHRA campaign Top Fuel racer Clay Millican will unveil a new primary sponsor, 104+ Octane Boost, at this weekend's 16th annual O'Reilly Spring Nationals presented by Pennzoil. The Houston race marks the first of nine NHRA races in which Millican will drive the 104+ Octane Boost car. Longtime Millican sponsor Werner Enterprises will continue its support
of the team as the primary sponsor of Millican's IHRA racing endeavors
and will partner with 104+ Octane Boost as a major associate when
Millican competes on the NHRA tour. Millican is the reigning two-time
IHRA champion, having won 10 consecutive races and 11 of 12 overall
in 2002. "The NHRA projects fast cars, high horsepower and high performance – a perfect association with our brand," said Donald Crosse, brand manager for 104+ Octane Boost. "Two-time Top Fuel IHRA champion, Clay Millican, along with his crew chief, Mike Kloeber, and the entire Lehman Racing team, bring a high-profile track record to our customers." The size and reach of NHRA drag racing as well as its exclusive partnership
with ESPN and ESPN2 for live or same-day coverage of all 23 national
events helped seal the deal with the new sponsor. "It is clear that 104+ Octane Boost, through its team sponsorship, sees the incredible value of participation in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series," said Tom Compton, president of the NHRA. "NHRA, as the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body, conducts races in front of millions of fans and in the largest markets in the United States." For more go to NHRA.com Top Fuel Funny Car is on this page Pro Stock is here (photos by Guy Van Syckle, Rich Carlson, Mark King, Gil Rebilas, Gerry Frechette and Dean Murdoch) Second Round through the finals. Photo highlights to follow later this week. Got lucky again in the second round, as I picked all the winners.
Baca, Dixon, Bernstein and Kalitta were all the favorites,
so it was no real surprise, but drag racing does not usually go to
form in the top classes. The Kalitta/Bernstein matchup was not the
race everyone expected, as Brandon was smoking the tires by half track,
and clicked it early as Doug streaked to a 4.660/316 mph run to the
final round. The other pairing also was over early, when David Baca
ride spit off the belt by half track, and Dixon motored to a 4.57/320.74
victory, and final round matchup with the blue beer boy. Both Kalitta
and Dixon left within a whisker of each other in the final, Sunday First round 11:00 am My prediction results: Seven wins - one loss. The one loss in the
Hartman- Doug Kalitta/Rhonda Hartman-Smith. This one is possibly the toughest yet, that Kalitta car is so unpredicable. But I will pick the Kid Rock car simply because there is a bunch more rubber down. Brandon Bernstein/Melanie Troxel. Brandon should win this one in a walk. Larry Dixon/Doug Herbert. Will be close, but a 4.56 for Larry and a 4.60 for Herbert will spell the end for the Snap-on Dragster. David Baca/Darrell Russell. This one will be a win for Russell. He is a better leaver and you will see similar ets from both cars. 4.59's each.
Saturday April 5, 5:15pm ( photos courtesy Greg Gage) Weekend Photos are here as well. Saturday was a day of minor shuffling, and some teams stepping up.
Cory Mac went from outside the field to squeaking in on his
last attempt, and bumping out Scott Weis, who has struggled
greatly this year. What is up with that team? Can anyone enlighten
us? For every hard luck story there is a feel good one, and this weekend
Steve Chrisman is it. He qualified for the first time in TF.
While his 5.32/239.57 lap didn't set the world on fire, it did show
that sometimes, the nitro gods will look over you. Congratulations
Steve and crew! The other big news is that the new body experience
by the Amato/ Russell clan worked to a tee in the last session.
Darrell
Dixon/Strasberg. This two should be an easy one for the Miller Lite team, as Larry Dixon and Dick Lahaie don't usually stumble in the first round. Baca/Head. I'll give the edge to Baca, but this one could be closer than qualifying shows. It depends on how much input Alan Johnson has on the Head tune-up. Bernstein/Cory Mac. Another one that should be an easy round for the Prince. Cory and team have really struggled this weekend and Brandon shouldn't.
Herbert/Grubnic. Look for Doug to win this in a romp. Smith/Hartman-Smith. Will team orders dictate John winning as to keep him up in points. I think he will win this one, and it will be straight up.
April 4, 2003 Wow!
How about a 4.499! Not bad, but others have run that good! Okay, how
about 330.07 mph at a 2000 foot track? Not bad I guess, is that the
best you got? Noooo, how about 330.60 mph. Not enough yet, well then,
how about a 332.10 pass by Doug Kalitta (he ran the 330.63
pass as well) only to be bettered with a 332.75 by Larry Dixon
to reset the speed record. Pretty good day one at "The Strip"
at LVMS. Doug Kalitta's 4.499 is the standard after two rounds of
qualifying. Dixon isn't # 2, David Baca (below), and the American
Racing Wheels April 3, 2003. Could the new Top Fuel body to be run in Vegas by Darrell Russell for the first time ever revolutionize the class, or get Darrell a win! Check below on Darrell's profile to see this new deal. The National event trail heads back West after one event on the soggy Gainseville grounds in Florida. The "Strip" at LVMS is one of the favorite stops for all the competitors on the NHRA tour, and having two events there is good business. Las Vegas has become the Indianapolis of the West as many teams are starting to headquarters themselves in the desert state. Beer Wars part III is in full swing as the two teams Larry Dixon/Miller Lite and Brandon Bernstein/Budweiser have dominated the series so far. And there does not seem to be any reason for it to let up. There are a bunch of quality cars on the tour s witnessed by the Kalitta clan's three #1 qualifying efforts, and the resurgence of the Gwynn/Cory Mac team. A number of others, like the surprising third in points, John Smith and the Hartman/Fram-Prestone Racing team and Snap-On/Doug "Dougzilla" Herbert group are wins just waiting to happen, but it is almost as though the Beer Boyz have to struggle for anyone else to stand on the podium. That being said, here are the fearless picks for this weekend's "Summit Nationals". 1. Larry Dixon: odds 3-1.....the Miller team after destroying
everything in sight at 2. Brandon Bernstein: odds 4-1..... is three wins in a row
out of the question in 3. Doug Kalitta: odds 6-1.....this, the most dominant qualifying
car just has to find
4.
6. Doug Herbert: odds 11-1..... Dougzilla should actually
be ahead of the two right
7. David Baca: odds 12-1...... a breath of
8. John Smith: odds 13-1......I bet you think it's strange
to see the #3 guy in points this far back in the rankings. Yes and
no! The Prestone driver and the entire team are 9. Darrell Russell: odds 14-1.....so far back for a team last
can win a couple events a year. Sponsorships and dollars seem to be
one of the factors. The Amato dragster is a 4.50 car. But to do it
on Sunday's and not break parts is something this
Funny Car is here Pro Stock is here Weekend Photos are here and Sportsman photos here
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Dixon
and Kalitta should be in the final in Houston like Vegas.
Bazemore/Scelzi.
Team mates should make for a great run here. I'm going with the
most consistent car this weekend, Bazemore (right). The
results: Bazemore wins after running a 5.09 to a 5.59
Worsham/Cannon.
A couple contrasts here with the conservative
and steady Worsham taking out the Mad Scientist (left). The
results: Worsham goes 4.92 to a 5.05 for the scientist.
WJ/Carr
(left) . The NW Pro Stock racers will have to have
some pretty good mojo to win this round. I don't think it will happen.
The results: A
pretty good race for Carr, but he does not have enough for WJ.
PS
final in in Vegas. Kurt in left lane. Anderson right.
but
the Dick Lahaie tuned championship car showed its top end charge,
and outran "Kid Rock" 4.608/312.57 to a 4.695/314.39. The
win padded Dixon's lead to three rounds over the red beer machine.
Next stop, next week at Houston. Go to 
Smith/Smith
matchup went to a smoke show which I thought would happen, but I thought
that John would recover first and go on. No real surprises in round
one, with the best effort in my opinion coming from Darrell Russell
and the Amato/Bilstein Flush TF car. That team ran the new body and
ripped off a 4.57 @ 319 mph. I will pat myself on the back for my
Melanie Troxel pick over Tony Schumacher. Dixon ran
a 4.54 in his win, Bernstein ran 4.52 and Baca ran a 5.56 to
advance. The only small scare came from, to no surprise, was the Kalitta/Kid
Rock dragster as they could only muster a 4.98 in their win. The
next round match-ups are: 
Russell
made his best lap of the weekend, with a 4.60/315.05 squirt to land
him in the #6 position for Sunday's first round. No report yet on
the body but we should get an overview tonight on either NHRA.com
or Drag Race Central. Larry Dixon maneuvered around David Baca
with a 4.527, out doing the Baca/ Henkleman clan by 1/1000th.
And finally, "Kid Rock" and the Kalitta group repeated
their strong qualifying efforts with a bracket like 4.509. Three of
four runs were better than 4.524. They look ready to take no prisoners
on Sunday. Here are the match-ups for first round with our best bets:
Kalitta/Chrisman.
A no brainer, even if Doug has a bit of shake, or tire smoke as the
best out of the Chrisman car is a 5.20 maybe.
Schumacher/Troxel.
I am going with the lady, because I think the Shu camp with try and
go for lane choice for round two, and that will cause a smoke show.
Russell/Romine.
Darrell and the new body will prevail. Or the old body. Romine has
gone through a bunch of parts already this weekend.
TF
Dragster made a career lap of 4.528 @ 320.36 to sit in the two slot
so far. Dixon is third after a stout 4.537, and the "Bud Prince"
Brandon Bernstein is fourth, after a 4.557 @ 325+ mph shot.
Tony Schumacher (4.60) is five, Darrell Russell (4.61)
minus the new body is six, and Doug Herbert (4.62) is seven.
Rounding out the top half is John Smith with a 4.64. The only
non qualified car is Cory McClenathan after struggling to a
best of only 8 seconds. Steve Chrisman, in an early to mid
90's vintage combo in in the field right now with a 5.34. Check out
Pomona
(winning the shoot-out and the race), he r/upped at Phoenix and went
to the semis at Gainseville. But I bet that team isn't happy. Why,
because their two losses were to the other beer car. Yes, they are
leading the points but, revenge will be sweet at Vegas.
Top
Fuel, if this was Funny Car, then I would say it is unlikely, but
TF really only has three or four cars that can win in any given weekend
in my opinion if all cars run their best (wow, did that just come
off my keyboard). And the Bud Car is one of the few that will win
more than four events in 2003. 
their
Sunday tune-up, and they will be the other multiple (at least three)
winner in 2003. Vegas is a good place to start a streak of their own.
Tony
Schumacher: odds 8-1.....the "Army of One" must feel
like he is up against a bunch of cruise missiles when he pulls up
to the line with the beer wagons. They are easily a high 4.50 car,
but unfortunately, his opponents are low 4.50 cars when the chips
are down.
5.
Cory McClenathan: odds 10-1.....this team of veterans will
be in the top 6 when the season is over, but I just can't see their
budget being at the point where they can run with the top four on
a consistent basis.
above
him, and I think he will be in a couple more races. He has shown flashes
of brilliance in qualifying, but a few more events with his crew will
find them a little more consistency.
fresh
air in the stale everyday goings on in Top Fuel. He has the excitement
of a John Force or Clay Millican, which is needed in this group of
corporate mundane dollar driven yes men. 
very
close to being a threat on most weekends, I just don't see them there
yet. I think he has had more luck on his side than domination (mind
you, luck is a huge factor in this class), when you compare the Hartman/Smith
team with the consistency of the beer cars, I think they are a bunch
of cubic dollars and a year or two back. Will John or wife/team mate
Rhonda win this year? They could but, luck will have to be on their
side. We are a Vegas aren't we?
team
has to prove it can do on a consistent basis. Notable, The
Amato team will introduce one of the biggest inovations in Top Fuel
in a number of years. After their first two shots on Friday, they
will pull up to the staging lanes with a new carbon fibre one piece
body for their Top Fuel Dragster for Saturday qualifying. It is much
wider than a conventional body, and will "float" as it is
only mounted in four spots on the chassis. This will allow for all
the flexing that goes on in a typical Top Fuel Dragster pass. The
new wider design will get around all the dirty air and provide more
downforce which may allow one of the three rear wing elements to be
taken off. As well, the floating body will have two vent panels in
the frontal area that will release if the car gets the front wheels
up to high, in hopes of preventing a blow-over. To see a picture of
this unigue body, Dave Kommel from AutoImagery has a shot on 
10.Jim
Head: odds 14-1.... if Alan Johnson stays on the Head team (he
is still sponsorless for his funny car), look for the "Give me
Head" car to be a top six finisher for the season.
11.
Melanie Troxel: odds 15-1...... this team does the most with
the least better then any other out there. Melanie has lady luck on
here side at lot of the events this limited schedule team goes to.
Her semi final finish at Pomona is a good example.
12.
Rhonda Hartman Smith odds 16-1 .....Rhonda like her husband
John will need lady luck here at Vegas if she is too go more than
one round in eliminations.
Expect
the other qualifiers to be in this order: Paul Romine, Scott Weis,
Robert Reehl, and Mike Strasburg. 