ABOVE: Wicked Racing’s Jet Sprint boat.(Jon LeMoine photo)

Words by Mark Westfall
Photos by Jon LeMoine, James Drew and Mark Westfall

The new era of drag boat racing began just as the old one ended, as three-time World Champion John Haas in Lou and Mary Ann Osman’s “Speed Sport Special” again sent the message that the IHBA Top Fuel Hydro title goes through them.

In an effort to unify and advance the sport, Lucas Oil brought in the leaders of the major sanctioning bodies (IHBA, SDBA, KDBA, SLDBA, CDBA), and a deal was made where all associations will run under the “Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series” moniker. A single rulebook will now be used for nearly 1000 teams throughout North America. This is a positive step in what could become a true national series.

The gates opened to beautiful Arizona sunshine on Friday morning at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix for a day of test n tune. Over 70 eager racers from the U.S. and Canada were ready to attack Firebird Lake. 

Glen Wilson in Joe Cassiday’s “Toxic Rocket” arrived with an all-new lightweight carbon fiber boat, a war chest of parts, and a confident team that looked poised to challenge for the championship.

Speed Sport Special  (Jon LeMoine photo)