Ed Dougan and Charlie O’Neill brought out their “Fighting Irish” Camaro to work on their car’s 330-foot and a 660-foot times, but unfortunately didn’t get to make any passes when a split in the oil tank was discovered just as the car rolled into the waterbox, ending their weekend. (James Drew photo)

Blake Bowser, VP/GM, of Auto Club Famoso Raceway, said of the upcoming 55th edition of the March Meet, “Every year something new comes up that thrills us, thrills the fans and makes it that much more exciting and makes us want to come back each year and do it again.  I have learned to expect the unexpected.  My guess for the Top Fuel bump spot is, maybe a 5.95 and in Funny Car 5.82. Funny Car is going have to really haul and we’ll probably have forty of them here for a sixteen-car field.”

 Bowser expects 35,000 spectators for the four-day event and noted that racecar registration is already closed, with the 500-car limit being exceeded. Good weather is forecast for this year’s Meet. A hundred bucks -- about what you might pay for a primo Sunday NHRA national event ticket -- gets you a four-day General Admission ticket to one of the very best drag racing shows on west of the Rockies. Tickets can be purchased online.