SOME DIFFERENT FACES IN WINNER'S CIRCLE AT BRISTOL

By Dave Densmore and others as noted.
Photos by Don Gillespie.

Doug Kalitta became the first repeat winner of the season in Top Fuel by capturing the inaugural MAC Tools NHTA Thunder Valley Nationals.

"This is a dream come true," said Kalitta, the 1994 USAC National Sprint Car champion. "Winning a race at your title sponsor's race with the president of the company and the whole Mac Tools team here cheering us on is pretty special."

SUNOCO RETURNS TO SPONSOR ETCHELLS
When last we visited Chuck Etchells, the first Funny Car driver to break the 5-second barrier, his team was headed to the parking lot reportedly due to Kendall Oil's failure to honor the terms of its sponsorship. Well, Etchells since has earned a reprieve from Sunoco, Kendall's parent company, which reportedly will sponsor his two-car team (which also includes Jim Epler) for the remainder of the season.

Unfortunately, the new deal didn't help Etchells at Bristol where, after one qualifying attempt (5.158/288.03 mph), he parked his car for the weekend. Meanwhile, Epler swapped his familiar Motley Crue Camaro body for Etchell's Sunoco body to give the new sponsor some No. 14 qualifier air time.

Etchells' car is expected to be outfitted with a Sunoco blue Camaro body by the time the tour moves to the veteran's home track (Old Bridge Township Raceway Park) for the Matco Tools Spring Supernationals.

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