NMCA West at Bakersfield, Calif.

Records fall as racers triumph

Words by Scott Sparrow
Photos by Paul Schmitz

A great script played out at Auto Club Famoso Raceway the weekend of Oct. 26-28 as racers completed the inaugural season of the NMCA West Flowmaster Drag Racing Series featuring NHRA Unleashed presented by Aerospace Components.

What emerged from the haze of tire smoke were several stories of great triumph – the only problem is deciding which was the greatest.

In Garrett Turbochargers Pro Street the weekend seemingly belonged to Mike Bowman who pushed his Chevelle to the quickest it has ever been with runs of 5.97 and 5.95 – setting new NMCA WEST records along the way.

Yet it was Joe Lepone Jr., who would end up with the NHRA Wally after beating Bowman in the final as Bowman’s car lost traction in the favored right lane, forcing an aborted run, as Lepone wheeled his Duster to a 6.16 win – his first NMCA victory. Lepone also became the fourth different winner in the class this season.