MARCH MEET 60
All of the photos shown below are on our SmugMug site. Click on the SmugMug icon:
All the photos on SmugMug are available for purchase.
TUESDAY EVENING UPDATE
We have received all Monday race results. All final results are reported after the two funny car galleries below. Photos of the Sunday night nitro car winners can be seen under SUNDAY RESULTS, also below.
TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE
As yet the tower has released no race results from racing on Monday. However, we were able to learn that Kin Bates won A Fuel running an ET of 5.85 at 233 mph.
Below are two galleries representing most of the large field of Funny Cars that showed up for March Meet 2018.
All March Meet 2018 final round of elimination race results:
Sunday nitro car finals
Funny Car – Bobby Cottrell met Ryan Hodgson. Cottrell ran an ET of 5.723 at 241.41 mph to take the win. Hodgson turned in an ET of 5.957 at 240.31.
Top Fuel – Pete Wittenberg sat next to Mendy Fry in the finals. While Fry took the early lead, after Wittenberg stumbled off the line. Fry was disqualified after she crossed the center line giving Wittenberg the win.
AA/Fuel Altered – Dan Hix was the winner. He met Eric Gates in the finals. Hix ran an ET of 6.301 at 168.13 mph. Gates had trouble from the start running an ET of 9.914 at 93.32 mph.
5.90 Funny Car – Dean Oberg in Holy Toledo motored down the track after Jeff Utterback broke at the line. Oberg ran 14.196 at 59.74 mph.
Rear Engine Top Fuel – Mike Halstead took the win with an ET of 8.290 at 223.95 mph to beat Billy McDevitt who ran at ET of 18.171 at 42.60 mph.
An examination of the winning speeds in the finals versus top speeds of the weekend reflects that the fuel cars noted above, which ran after 7:00 p.m. on Sunday night, ran significantly slower on the cold track. (Funny Car – weekend top speed 259.61 – finals winning speed 241.41; AA Fuel Altered – weekend top speed 209.94 – finals winning speed 168.14; Rear Engine Top Fuel – weekend top speed 257.14 – finals winning speed 223.95.)
The races reported below took place on Monday.
A/Fuel – Kin Bates (photo shown at the top of the article) beat Rick Ewens in the finals. Bates ran an ET of 5.894 at 233.88 and Ewens had a ET of 6.072 at 220.84 mph.
Jr. Fuel – John Marottek took the win with an ET of 6.871 at 190.86 beating Matt Baldonado who turned in an ET of 7.061 at 185.36 mph.
7.0 Pro – The winner of this class was Ronnie Lemon with an ET of 7.128 at 168.39. Runner-up Tony Trimp ran an ET of 7.294 at 193.29 mph.
Nostalgia Eliminator I – This 7.6 index class was won by Dan Schrokosch with an ET of 7.619 at 178.19 mph. Ed Silberman was runner-up with an ET of 7.621 at 164.51 mph.
Nostalgia Eliminator II – Sam Tucker took the win in this 8.6 index class against Todd Fernandez. Tucker ran an ET of 8.621 to 146.88 an Fernandez ran an ET of 8.603 at 153.44. Fernandez lost this race at the line with a reaction time of .043 to Tucker’s .019.
Nostalgia Eliminator III – Ed DeStaute won this race after Jim Miller broke. DeStatute ran an ET of 9.575 at 139.69 mph.
A Gas – Frank Merenda won this race after a double break out. Merenda ran an ET of 7.550, on a 7.6 index, at 174.93 mph. Eric Busch ran an ET of 7.535 at 179.40 mph.
B Gas – This class runs on a 8.6 index. Neal Westbrook took the win on a red-light by Tim Mulvhill. Westbrook ran an ET of 8.568 at 161.57.
C Gas – PJ Glacalone won this 9.6 index class. Glacalone ran an ET of 9.666 at 132.37 while Larry Hesseman Jr ran 9.600 at 136.72 mph. Glacalone got off the line first with a reaction time of .024 to Hesseman’s .095.
D Gas – This is a 10.6 class. Dan Fournier turned in an ET of 10.647 at 123.77 mph to take the win. Dan Ficher, runner-up, broke out with an ET of 10.566.
Hot Rod – Dale Hicks running on a 9.71 dial-in ran an ET of 10.639 at 96.66 mph beating Anita Hendry who broke.
Below are photos of some of the cars racing at March Meet.
This nice looking ’40 Ford pick-up did an impressive burn-out, but then the drivetrain grenaded on launch scattering small pieces of metal at the start line.
Below are two galleries of cars in the grove over the week-end. Not many folks braved the rain, mud and puddles to come out.
We will update the final race results as information is received.
All of the photos shown above are on our SmugMug site. Click on the SmugMug icon: All the photos on SmugMug are available for purchase.
_____________________________________________________________________________
SUNDAY RESULTS
After a long cold day at the track, racing ended on Sunday night under the lights after 7:00 p.m. Most classes didn’t complete elimination rounds and will finish on Monday. However, Funny Car, Top Fuel, Fuel Altered, Rear Engine Top Fuel and 5.90 Funny Car did finish. The cold track hampered the performance of the nitro cars.
At the end of racing on Sunday – the winners were:
TOP FUEL – Mendy Fry in High Speed met Pete Wittenburg in Circuit Breaker in the finals. Fry took the lead off the line and opened the gap until she reached half track when she got loose and drifted over the center line taking out some of the timing cones. This disqualified her and Wittenburg and Circuit Breaker are the 2018 Top Fuel March Meet champions. Wittenburg had a reaction time of .161 but smoked the tires after leaving the line. He ran an ET of 14.222 at 60.84 mph. Fry had a reaction time of .154 an ET of 6.842 at 130.91 mph. Wittenburg likely set a record slow speed for a March Meet Top Fuel final.
FUNNY CAR – Bobby Cottrell in the Bardahl car met Ryan Hodgson in The Pacemaker in the finals. Cottrell left the line with a reaction time of .112. Hodgson’s reaction time was .156. Cottrell continued his lead to the end of the track running an ET of 5.723 at 241.41 mph. Hodgson’s ET was 5.957 at 240.17 mph.
FUEL ALTERED – The Heatseeker with Dan Hix in the driver’s seat beat Eric Gates in the final round of elimination. This is the third trip to a March Meet winner’s circle for Hix. Hix ran an ET of 6.30 at 168 mph.
REAR ENGINE TOP FUEL – Mike Halstead in the Mike’s Transmission Rear Engine Top Fuel Car was the winner in the final round of elimination.
5.90 FUNNY CAR – Dean Oberg in Holy Toledo was the winner in the final round of eliminations.
Kin Bates won A Fuel running an ET of 5.85 at 233 mph.
The winners shown above is all the information available. As we receive additional information we’ll post it.
All of the photos shown above are on our SmugMug site. Click on the SmugMug icon: All the photos on SmugMug are available for purchase.
________________________________________________________________________________________
SATURDAY RESULTS
March Meet on Saturday was rained out. In the morning the rain ended about 11:00 a.m. and about 1:20 p.m. the track was dry and ready for racing. Funny Cars were called to the line to complete their 3rd round of qualifying. After only two runs, the rain started again. This go around the track wasn’t ready to go until 4:20 p.m. and Funny Cars again took to the lanes. After several delays with only about five runs complete the rain started again. At 5:00 p.m. the race was called. A disappointing race day. However, the fields are set and elimination rounds start tomorrow with Hot Rods at 8:00 a.m. First elimination round of Funny Cars is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Predictions for tomorrow are sunny and cold (but at least no rain).
Below are a few of the cars that ran between the rains today.
We all know the old saying “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”. So when life gives you rain, stomp in the puddles.
Mother Nature ended the race day with quite a sight – a double rainbow (if you look closely you can see a second rainbow off to the left of the photo).
We’re looking forward to a full day of racing tomorrow. We’ll have a full article with photos posted on Monday evening.
____________________________________________________________________________
FRIDAY RESULTS
Friday at Famoso started with rain. Even with clouds, wind and cold qualifying went on all day.
Qualifying rounds started about 11:00 a.m and ended under the lights.
AA/FC started with a 25 car field. Bobby Cottrell is in the number 1 spot with an ET of 5.650 running 259.31 mph.
Top Fuel was a 12 car field. Mendy Fry ran an ET 5.736 at 219.51 mph to take the top spot.
5.90 AA/FC is a 5.9 index class with a 4 car field. Shawn Van Horn ran an ET of 6.56 to capture the number one slot.
7.0 Pro qualifies against a 7.0 index. Chris Bates ran a near perfect index – 7.002 to become the number 1 qualifier.
A Gas is a 7.6 index class and Casey Treuer ran an ET of 7.601 to become No. 1 in a field of 27.
B Gas runs against an 8.6 index and Ken Saisi ran a perfect 8.6 besting the 28 car field to sit in the number 1 spot.
C Gas runs on a 9.6 index and David Stage ran an ET of 9.601 to take the number 1 spot. There were 31 cars running.
D Gas, a 10.6 index class, fielded 38 cars and James Burt ran an ET of 10.600 to be number 1 qualifier.
NE 1 runs on a 7.60 index. Dale Toros ran an ET of 7.601 to be number 1 in this 31 car field.
NE 2, an 8.60 index class with 31 cars in the field, ended with J. Todd Fernandez in the number 1 spot after turning in an ET of 8.60.
NE 3 is a 9.60 index class and Lindsey Lister turned in an ET of 9.622 to take the number 1 slot.
Jr. Fuel, A Fuel and AA/Fuel Altereds ran qualifying today also, but no times have been provided by the tower.
As the times reflect, the number 1 qualifier in many of the classes ran at or near the class index. This should make for some exciting racing tomorrow. Today offered a lot of good racing and although there were some delays it was an accident free race. Racing will continue tomorrow, weather permitting. Once again, rain and cold temperatures are expected.
Here are a few more photos.
We’ll have race results again tomorrow.
____________________________________________________________________________
THURSDAY MARCH 1, 2018
As of Thursday, Group 2 Qualify results are:
NE 1- Dale Taros sits in the No. 1 position with an ET of 7.601 in this 22 car field with Kim Lee in the No. 2 position with an ET of 7.616. This is a 7.6 index class.
NE2- Steve Olmschei claimed the No. 1 spot with an ET of 8.625 followed by Rick Nordness’ ET of 8.631. This is an 8.6 index class and there are 28 cars in the field.
NE3- This class runs an index of 9.6. Carl Carlson is No. 1 with an ET of 9.635 and Wes Anderson with an ET of 9.632 is No. 2. There are 11 cars in the field.
A Gas- Brian Rogers ran 7.610 followed by Nick Mueller with a 6.10. To claim the No. 1 spot Rogers ran faster with an mph of 179.18 to Mueller’s 180.12. This class runs on a 7.6 index and 26 cars ran qualifying today.
B Gas- Kevin Pope ran an ET of 8.608 in this 8.6 index class to be No. 1. Rich Harrison also an a 8.608 and is in No. 2. Pope ran 159.38 mph to Harrison’s 159.59. 28 cars ran in this class today.
C Gas- 33 cars ran in this 9.6 index class today with David Stage turning in an ET of 9.601 to be No.1 Billy Teague was a close second with an ET of 9.602.
D Gas- Bob Gonzalves ran an ET of 10.612 in this 10.6 index class to sit at No. 1. Steve Barta is No. 2 with an ET of 10.617. There are 33 cars in the field.
As the ETs above show, there will be great racing this week-end. We’ll post nightly throughout the race.
The schedule for the rest of the week-end is:
Friday, March 2
8:30 AM – Group 2 Time trials and qualifying – Run Order: Hot Rod, D/Gas, C/Gas, Nost. Elim 3, Nost. Elim 2, B/Gas, Nost. Elim 1, A/Gas
12:00 PM – Heritage Funny Car, Top Fuel and 5.90 Funny Car Qualifying Session 1
2:00 PM – Group 1 Qualifying Session 2 – Run Order: 7.0 Pro, Junior Fuel, A/Fuel
3:00 PM – Heritage Funny Car Q2, Fuel Altered Q1, Rear Engine Top Fuel Q1 and 5.90 Funny Car Q2
5:30 PM – Secure
Saturday, March 3
8:15 AM – Group 2 Round 1 Eliminations – Run Order: Hot Rod, D/Gas, C/Gas, Nost. Elim 3, Nost. Elim 2, B/Gas, Nost. Elim 1, A/Gas
12:00 PM – Heritage Funny Car Q3 and Top Fuel Q2
1:45 PM – Group 1 Round 1 Eliminations – Run Order: 7.0 Pro, Junior Fuel, A/Fuel
3:00 PM – Heritage Funny Car Round 1 Eliminations, Fuel Altered Q2, Rear Engine Top Fuel Q3 and 5.90 Funny Car Q3
5:00 PM – Secure
Sunday, March 4
9:00 AM – Group 2 Eliminations – Run Order: Hot Rod, D/Gas, C/Gas, Nost. Elim 3, Nost. Elim 2, B/Gas, Nost. Elim 1, A/Gas, Hot Rod
11:00 AM – Opening Ceremony
11:45 AM – Nitro Final Eliminations – Run Order: Funny Car, Top Fuel, Fuel Altereds, Rear Motor Top Fuel
12:45 PM – Continue Group 1 and Group 2 Eliminations
2:00 PM – Nitro Semi Finals
2:30 PM – Continue Group 1 and Group 2 Eliminations to Finals
3:45 PM – Group 2 and Group 1 Finals as they Return
4:15 PM – Nitro Finals – Run Order: Rear Motor Top Fuel, Fuel Altereds, Top Fuel, Funny Car
5:00 PM – Secure Event
We’ll post again Friday night.
