GETTING READY

 

Words by Darr Hawthorne

Photos by Max Cackle Photography, James Drew, Gary Edwards, Darr Hawthorne and Paul Schmitz

Mark Sanders in "Mr. Explosive." (Max Cackle Photography)

In recent years, the March Meet held at Auto Club Famoso Raceway has regained the glory that was once an early spring ritual for the fastest NHRA, AHRA and IHRA racers racecars to start the year, dating back to the 1950's.

This year at Famoso, the 55th year of the legendary March Meet will once again attract some of the quickest and fastest "Nostalgia" front motored Top Fuel Dragsters and Nitro Funny Cars. The March Meet (March 7-10) also attracts some of the NHRA's Big Show regulars to race, including nitro flopper drivers such as Ron Capps, Del Worsham, Jeff Arend and defending March Meet Champion Chad Head, as well as the always-strong competitors from both the NHRA Heritage Series and the Mickey Thompson Tires DragRacingOnline.com AA/FC Challenge. Two-time Heritage Series Funny Car Champ Jason Rupert and two-time DRO AA/FC Champ John Hale are among those entered for the race.