(Mark Brewer photo)

Words by Evan Jones
Photos by Mark Brewer and Debbie Gastelu

This time Chad Head won on horsepower and not on a technicality.

Chad Head receives congratulations from Maple Grove’s Lex Dudas.  (Debbie Gastelu photo)

In only his third race in the cockpit of his dad’s nostalgia nitro Firebird Funny Car, Head was crowned class champion late Saturday night (June 23) as he beat Peter Gallen and the “Poverty Stricken” Monza to the finish line.

“I had a great time,” said Head, who also set a track speed record in his first run of the day. “It was a great race in front of great people.”

Maple Grove Raceway’s 50th Anniversary Spectacular entertained several thousand fans that came out for great weather. The day started with local racers in Super, Pro and Junior Dragster classes competing in a bracket race and that was followed by the main event that featured the Auto-Plus Cavalcade of Funny Cars, Danny O’Day’s wheelstander, the “Winged Express” fuel altered and five jet cars.

The jets gave a great show. K.C. Jones’ Team Steam, Al Hanna’s Funny Cars and Bob Motz’s jet truck lit up the night sky.

(Mark Brewer photo)	Motz also provided an unforgettable finale as the flame took out some of the signs behind the starting line. The truck then crossed the finish line at an incredible 209 mph to begin a fireworks show.  (Debbie Gastelu photo)