Another very stout contender for the flopper title is six-time world champion Jason Rupert. Rupert and partner Dave Schwartz with the help of Brad Littlefield, are going to be very difficult to get around. Rupert and Schwartz will continue to run the old-school Camaro body, however, it is under the body is where the advantage lies with this team. Rupert and Littlefield have found a combination that is strong and, more importantly, repeatable.

There are large groups of cars that will be chasing the above-mentioned teams for the Heritage title this year. Don Nelson’s California Hustler with crew chief Ron Swearingen are always a threat. There is conjecture that the Hustler could have a new driver for 2017. Our sources state that decision will be made at a test session just prior to the March Meet.

The ninja in the Funny Car field is Steven Densham. He and pops, Gary, go about their business with little fanfare, until the bright gold Camaro hits the track. Then it is “Katie bar the door”. This former world champion is the prototypical blue color who carries a lunch bucket to work -- a dirty, bloody knuckles racer who does more with less.

Another team that can step up and scare the hell out of people is that wild and crazy Canadian, Tim Boychuk. When these guys get on a roll, look out. Twig Zeigler has proven why he was a terror in the Pacific Northwest back in the day.

Former March Meet Champion James Day will be at the wheel of Gary Turner’s Pedaler Dodge Challenger. Day, who drove the Kuhl & Olson tribute A/Fuel car at the Winternationals, is always a threat, especially on the starting line. Arguably one of the best nitro drivers on the starting line along with Adam Sorokin, Day is a proven winner taking wins at both NHRA and IHRA events in the past.

Word is there have been some team changes made over the off-season at the Nitrohaulic camp of Richard Townsend. These changes were made in an attempt to rebound from a less than successful season in 2016.

Another racer who has dominated and looks to repeat that performance is John Hale. He is a former two-time DRO AA/FC Challenge Series Champion. He was also a player in the Heritage Series with a couple of wins. He spent the last two seasons as we all know running the Big Show with Jim Dunn. Hale this year has decided to concentrate on his vast business interests, mainly the Best of Texas Barbecue Sauce and getting that product to the next level. Hale’s hauler as of this writing is getting a fresh new Best of Texas Barbecue Sauce wrap, and from the renderings, the transporter should look amazing.

Last, but certainly not least, Dan Horan informed me that he has retired from racing, due to the death of his father.

“I have been blessed to do what I have done over the past thirty years. I have raced with some great people in the sport, Rahn Tobler, Donnie Couch, Dale Pulde, and won a championship. I have raced Big Show cars, top alcohol cars, and nostalgia funny cars and it’s just time to retire. I have been blessed.”

We are going to miss seeing Horan and his bunch at the races. The best of luck to you and enjoy your time with friends and family.

With reports of nearly thirty – yes, that is right thirty -- fuel altereds being entered into the March Meet this class is going to be the one to watch at this event.

For those detractors who said that the six-flat index would ruin the class before it ever got started, I will channel my very Norwegian grandmother who was fond of saying, “Oh, I don’t tink so, Olly.”

This class has blown up, figuratively over the past few years. The index racing has helped the class grow and from my position here, if you have the slightest thought about heading to the March Meet, as Yoda would say, “There is no try - only do!” If you are a fan, you need to be there to witness this spectacle. Thirty altered … heck even if it only twenty, that is worth the price of admission alone.

With cars from the Hix family, defending March Meet Champion Roger Lechtenburg, Jim Holtz, James Generalao Jr. debuting a new ride for this year; Jim Holtz; the Sullivan family ride, Tom Padilla, and Shawn Van Horn, just to name a few in the lanes, the action will be stellar on the race track.

Moreover, there is some speculation going around (which needs to stay between the seven of us, especially you, Yonemura, keep this on the down low) that a certain big show flopper champion may have a PART time job in an altered from the NAPA area on March Meet weekend.

Just a reminder to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dragracingonline we will be posting images, run times and doing facebook live updates all weekend long.

Thanks for reading and your support. [02/13/17]