Words by Darr Hawthorne
Photos by James Drew, Darr Hawthorne and Tim Marshall

The third edition of NHRA Heritage Series Racing came to the Strip at Las Vegas, this year combined with bands and a rod show to create the Rockabilly Rod Reunion. Apparently great early summer weather and Memorial Day weekend made for a stout collection of 25 Nitro Funny Car entries to vie for an eight-car elimination field. 

Roger Garten in the Tocco & Garten “War Horse” made a surprising off-the-trailer first round pass of 5.971 at 235.06 that would eventually land him in the fifth position at the close of qualifying.  (Tim Marshall photo)

The surprisingly large field of floppers was led in qualifying once again by Steve Plueger’s “Plueger & Gyger” Mach 1 ’72 Mustang driven by Leah LeDuc at 5.810 elapsed time at 243.85 mph, followed closely by newcomer Steve Rajcic driving Plueger’s “L.A. Hooker” Arrow to a comparable 5.837 at 238.93 mph.

Canadian Tim Boychuk took the #3 qualifying position in the Roland Leong-tuned “Troy Lee Designs” ’77 Pontiac Firebird with his 5.884/243.33. Todd Lesenko held down the eighth and final slot in the “Jolly Rogers” car with a 6.015 ET at 238.60 mph. 

Saturday’s third qualifying session found two-time 2010 event winner Mark Sanders bumping solidly into the field with a 5.978/231.24, but on the pass encountered severe transmission breakage. After an all-night thrash from the “Mr. Explosive” crew, crew chief Jake Sanders had their ’70 Nova ready for Sunday’s first round.