Holley Hot Rod Reunion at Bowling Green, Ky.

Dunlap breaks Bartone's lock

Words and photos by Keith Burgan

Well, the spell is broken as Bill Dunlap and the High Speed Motorsports team finally ended Tony Bartone's reign at the top of Nostalgia Top Fuel.

Bartone led the field into eliminations at Beech Bend Raceway Park with a 5.770 best qualifying effort and then uncorked at 5.564 /239.78 (Low ET of the meet) to end Brendan Murry's day in round one. Number 2 qualifier (5.870) Dusty Green got a bye when Jason Greenwood could not make the call and Dunlap stepped up to a 5.729/255.19 from his #3 qualifying 5.897 to defeat Dave Hirata.

The closest matched pair was Jimmy Young in the McClain's big block Chevy car vs Adam Sorokin in the small block-powered Champion car (6.054 and 6.058 in qualifying) and although Sorokin left first the red car drove into a wheelstand as it launched. Sorokin stayed with it with the front end in the air for 300 plus feet but got a little out of shape and Young was gone with a solid 5.952.

Young was again first off the line in round two but Bartone (shown) soon drove around his 6.102 with a 5.642/234.94.

Green had a big lead on Dunlap off the line but had problems and slowed while Dunlap scooted to a 5.726/248.39.

It was almost dark when the finalists came to the line and Dunlap was again a little tardy at the green but Bartone chattered the tires and the High Speed car was on its way to yet another Bowling Green victory with a 5.733/251.95.