Skuza Wins Fourth of July Spectacular Before 35,000

NORWALK RACEWAY PARK, Norwalk, Ohio - An all-time single-day Norwalk Raceway Park crowd of more than 35,000, according to the track, packed the facility for the Night Under Fire Funny Car spectacular featuring nine-time NHRA champ John Force and five other top-flight tour regulars and a spectacular fireworks show that rivaled those of many big-city Fourth of July galas.

While Force and teammate Tony Pedregon probably got the lion's share of attention, the winner of the event proved to be Brecksville, Ohio native Dean Skuza.

Although not winning, Force and Pedregon probably stole the show in terms of performance. In round two, Force set the Norwalk elapsed time track record with a 4.879, 313.15 just edging out Pedregon's track speed record shot of 4.917, 313.66.

The rules of the match spectacular were that all six cars would run a first-round qualifying round with the two low e.t.s, determining the final. The other four cars, which included the aforementioned Force-Pedregon waltz, would race in the second-round runoffs preceding the race with Skuza and his opponent, which turned out to be Scotty Cannon.

Force lost a blower belt in round one and Pedregon lit the tires, putting them on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Skuza ripped a 4.916 in the opening frame and then finished off Scotty Cannon's Oakley-backed Camaro in the final, 4.992, 251.67 to a smoked-in 10.430, 78.45.

In addition, the record crowd was entertained by the jet dragsters of Al Hanna, with 24-year-old Jessica Willard driving, and Joe Douthit. Willard was the winner clocking a best of 5.235, 299.20 to 5.320, 295.27.

Funny Car Qualifying Round

Run-offs

Final

File photos by Jeff Burk.

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