PRO STOCK /MOD PROD
The WCHRA combined the two normally aspirated classes this year, hoping to build both classes and get more competition for the racers. The concept was simple: with the top runners in each class being a second apart, if an M/P car lines up against a P/S racer the M/P car will leave first by one second (at the tree) and whoever gets to the finish line first, wins!

In qualifying this proved to be a good formula with the M/P car of `08 Champion Glen Walton/Bill Hickok qualifying with a 9.486, .five-hundredths ahead of `08 P/S record holder "Gypsy" Mike Valentio`s 8.53, followed by Ron Shaw 9.821 and Gary Brandt 10.735.

The final two racers both came from the M/P side, last year’s Champion, Bill Hickok, in the Glen Walton Racing Falcon and Ron Shaw in his new for `09 Mustang. Shaw raced in the M/P Class in `07 and took the 2008 season off to build his new Mustang. Hickok made his way to the final by defeating Brandt 9.531 to 10.828.

On the other side Shaw took the one-second handicap on the tree and held on to defeat the P/S entry of Anthony Valentio 9.923 to 8.944 (Margin of Victory was .054 at the stripe!)
 
In the final Hickok took a slight starting line advantage, .078 to .087, but couldn’t make it payoff Shaw got the his first WCHRA win with a 9.926/136.07 to Hickok’s slowing 9.956/132.86. Shaw picked up $1,000 for the win.

LIMITED 10.5
The new "entry level" heads-up class for 2009, Limited 10.5 was being contested for the first time in Phoenix. When qualifying was finished it was the Mustang of Parrish Williams with an 8.922/154.64 followed by Josh Edwards 9.700, Mike Stewart 9.863 and Norm Bartlett 14.822.

Local racers Williams and Edwards met up in the final round. Williams put out Bartlett to earn his spot 9.096 to 13.844, and Edwards defeated Stewart 9.803 to 10.220 to earn his way.

In the final round Williams took the starting line advantage .052 to .074 and held it to the finish line for the win over Edwards, 9.072/154.27 to 9.732/136.12. This made Parrish Williams the first winner in the new Limited 10.5 class and earned him the E.T. and MPH records, the points lead, trophy and $1,000 check.

Other winners at the Mike’s Transmission Winter Nationals were:
 
A/GAS: Greg Holman
B/GAS: Ray Padgett
C/GAS: Chris Biggerstaff
D/GAS: Clint Mackay
E/GAS: Dustin Lee
OPEN/COMP: Clint Mackay
SPORTSMAN: Nick Alvarado

The WCHRA will be racing at AAA Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., on April 4-5, June 5-6, July 17-18 and Aug. 25-26.