Drag Racing Online: The Magazine

When the racers of the IHBA gather for their annual trek to Red Bluff, CA, they can usually count on one thing: HEAT! For the last several years temperatures would push the 100 degree mark, but as the gates opened for this year's 30th running of the Nitro Nationals, 70 degree temps and cool dry air had the racers chomping at the bit to hit the water.

Story by James Drew and Mark Westfall

Saturday morning’s first pro session found ten Top Fuel Hydros ready to battle for Sunday’s eight-boat ladder. While most of the Top Fuel racers struggled, World Champion John Haas in Lou Osman’s potent “Speed Sport Special” started the barrage of record breaking runs as he unloaded a 4.640 at 258.50 mph (the fastest speed ever) run in the “Famous” Amos Saterlee-tuned machine. The 258.50 mph run exceeded the current record (252.54 mph), and enabled Haas a chance at the NAPA auto parts $50,000 bounty if the run could be backed up.

As the final session began Saturday afternoon, again the majority of the Top Fuel racers were still searching for the right combination, and struggled down the liquid quarter mile. That certainly was not the case for the gang from St. Louis as Haas blasted to a 4.703/252 mph record breaker (e.t. and speed), and insured a $50,000 payday if he finished the event as the record holder.

Former record holder (4.76) Dale Ishimaru in Eddie Knox’s “Problem Child” carded a strong 4.87 timeslip to lock down the second qualifying position. Other day one highlights included Tony Scarlatta running  the fist 6.5-second pass ever (6.599) in the Top Alcohol Flatbottom class to set a leg on the record (6.602).

Another perfect day of weather greeted the 20,000 plus fans as Sunday’s eliminations were set to begin. Daryl Ehrlich was the first winner of the day as he guided his “Berryman Bullet” to a soft 5.43 over teammate John White’s blower exploding try in “Hot Licks.”

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