Pro Comp Show at Yakima, Washington

Nelson Sneaks in to Win

Words and photos by Brian Losness

In my years of being a part of this sport I have been blessed to go to many different tracks to shoot and cover the action there. Pomona, Englishtown, Las Vegas, just to name a few.

However, for me the best part of this assignment for DRO is going to the grass roots tracks. I was honored to make the trip six hours northwest of my home in Boise, to partake in Nitro Nights Under the Lights at Renegade Raceway in Yakima, Washington. Don' t let the event title fool ya -- there isn't a fuel car with in 20 miles of the joint, but the name has a ring to it.

The manager, chief cook and bottle washer of the facility is Derek Snelson. He is also the owner and driver of the "Warhawk" Jet Funny Car. To say Derek is high energy is a little like saying Don Prudhomme is a legend.

Snelson is going a million miles an hour, which at times is an asset and at others maybe not as much. Moreover, Snelson is getting things accomplished.  Every year he and his staff make some improvements. Last year the NHRA's Division 6 named Renegade Raceway "Most Improved Track".  This is a source of pride for Snelson and much deserved.

We visited here last year and when I pulled into the gates this time there were signs of improvement throughout the facility. The biggest problem that plagued the facility in the past was the byproduct of a noxious weed, puncturevine, referred to locally as "goat heads".

This stuff will do a number on tires and shoes, all kinds of nastiness. The pit area used to be inundated with puncturevine, but this year it is all been eradicated. The pits are free of the goat heads, which makes the racers happy along with spectators.

Speaking of spectators, they are what make this place go.  Why you ask?  Well, the spectators bring their own seats to the race. There are a very limited number of bleacher seats available for folks to come watch the drags, so they improvise, adapt and overcome. They tailgate.