One of the many Pennsylvania cars on hand included Rob Bundy’s “Shellshock” Vega. According to Bundy the engine is an original L-88 Chevy. Bundy says the best lap on the car is a 7.41/188. His best effort at this event was 7.56/179.32.

Most of the cars spun the tires instead of dead hooking and that undoubtedly contributed to the fact that not a single Funny Car oiled the track in more than 32 side-by-side laps.

There is one thing, though. I had forgotten how long a seven- or eight-second Funny Car pass takes compared to today’s “big show” car. The engines seemed like they were running forever before the drivers shut them off. After a while, though, I had to admit that I liked the race lasting longer and the cars being on the track for a longer period of time.

The tickets to watch this race was a smooth $20 and I would have to say that the approximately 1,000 fans who attended this event (which was less than last year due in no small part to rain on and off all day Saturday) certainly got $20 worth of entertainment. The teams and drivers did an excellent job and the show went off pretty much on schedule.

The variety of cars at this Funny Car “happening” was nothing short of amazing. There were perhaps a half-dozen cars that were absolute restorations of real cars. Atlanta, GA’s Russell Davis brought the Huston Platt “Dixie Twister” 1970 Camaro complete with a spring-equipped front axle, no front brakes and a supercharged iron 427 big block Chevy burning 85-percent nitro. Both Bob Rosetty’s “Rolling Stoned” and John Troxel’s Cuda were 90% original-equipment “survivor” cars with original bodies, tin work, and drive train, and there were more cars like those in attendance.

Were the cars quick and fast by today’s standards? No. Seven-second and higher ETs were the norm and there was just one six-second car. After listening and watching NHRA Funny Cars running low four-second passes  on 1,000-foot tracks it was actually a treat for me to watch funny cars that were on the throttle for eight seconds or more. 

So, if you want to see 32 Funny Cars at one race actually racing or show your kids what Funny Car racing used to be when the cars actually had recognizable factory bodies, then you have to attend this race next year -- and at just $20 for a ticket it is one of drag racing’s great bargains!