THE BATTLE FOR THE BUMP

Words by Jeff Leonard - Photo by Ron Lewis

Have you ever heard the old saying, "The Old Grey Mare ain't what she used to be"? If you apply that old saw to the so-called bump spot that exists in current day NHRA nitro racing, you might have to concede the point. Not so long ago, Top Fuel and Nitro Funny Car had enough entries week to week to generate a healthy fight for the final three or four spots in either field. The bump spot was often a story in and of itself with plenty of angst and drama to go around.

By the numbers, the nitro fields at the recently concluded NHRA Mile-High Nationals were lacking. In Top Fuel, the bare minimum 16 cars showed, so there was no drama other than what would be the first-round pairings on Sunday.  

Nitro Funny car didn't look much better, with 17 teams on hand. So, no drama, angst or worries, right? Well, it kind of depends on who you are, where your trip to Denver started, and the resources you brought with you. In Jeff Diehl's case, the trip was long, hard parts were in short supply, and the odds of success seemingly were stacked against a good outcome.

It's 25 hours, one way, from Salinas, California, to the front gate of Bandimere Raceway. Plenty of miles to strategize; just as many to wonder whether this was a good move or not. In Diehl's case, word of Bob Bode's decision to skip the Mile-Highs swung the odds ever so slightly in favor of the Good Outcome. So, think it over morphed into go time, and Diehl started on his way -- by himself. From other starting points, a varied cast of in-laws and outlaws, nitro crew guys, cooks and accountants did the plane, trains and automobile thing and made their way to the Diehl Racing pit area. The shared objective -- get Jeff Diehl back on tour and in the mix in the Nitro Funny Car arena.

All too soon, it’s time for the Friday afternoon Funny Car qualifying session. And as can sometimes happen, the odd gremlin gets in the way of a too infrequently raced car, and time is running out as final prep is winding down. One NHRA official says GO, so they do. But when they get to the staging lanes, they get the stop sign. As in, stop and go back to your pit. You are too late. Rather than argue the point, Diehl and associates head back and get ready for the night session. Not a good start to the proceedings.

Come the evening session, Diehl and company are right on time and run a 4.42 / 276-mph lap that nails down the 13th spot at session's end. One problem though -- it wasn't 12th best. And since it wasn't, it did not secure Diehl a spot in Sunday's lineup. That would have to be achieved in the heat of Saturday's two qualifying heats.

About that heat. It was hot -- one hundred degrees hot on Saturday. Track temp about 147 or so as Diehl gets his first shot of the day. The car is down on revs and smokes the tires, so the run is not much help. But with Diehl's two main bump-spot foes, Todd Lesenko and Todd Simpson, struggling too, Diehl remains on the bump for the time being.

All three bumpers are grouped together at the front end of the final qualifying session of the weekend, the one that would spell out Good Move / Bad Move for Jeff Diehl. Right off the bat, Diehl's hopes take a hit as Lesenko smokes the tires and gets loose but still runs a 5.09 to move Diehl outside the field. Nothing like being next in line, right after being dealt out to get your focus on. Time to square the shoulders, set the jaw and smack the pedal. The crew has worked their butts off all weekend in the heat, so it's no time to get weak. Besides, it's a long way back to Salinas with not too much to show for it yet.

At the hit, the car makes a decent move but puts a hole out two seconds into the run. However, it holds together well enough to post a 4.90, good for the 15th spot and a matchup with Robert Hight on Sunday. Mission accomplished.

Sunday's race versus Hight is almost an afterthought. Waiting for the Hight stumble that didn't come, Diehl smokes the tires early and his Mile-High weekend is over. But he did what he came to do: make the cut and get back in the thick of the Nitro Funny Car action.

First round money isn't great, but it's on to Sonoma from here, and Seattle after that. He is back in the hunt, and chasing those ever-elusive marketing partners that can get him where he wants to go. It's 25 hours to Salinas. It's time to go.