SAME DAY COVERAGE
Summit Racing.com Nationals
Las Vegas, Nevada
By Matthew Brammer; Photos by Roger Richards & Frank Smith

• NHRA POWERade Series
• AMS/TLR Pro Mod Challenge
• NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman
• NHRA POWERade Photos
• NHRA Lucas Oil Sportsman Photos
• NHRA AMS TLR Pro Modified Photos

SUNDAY NOTES - The Winners Are Crowned

She’s definitely NOT a man!

Hillary Will was on fire the entire weekend . Her dragster consistently ran in the 5.40’s on every run. She earned the Low ET honors as well as the fastest speed – 5.404 seconds and 267.75. After a runner-up finish in Pomona, Will finally proved “she’s the man,” taking her Girl Power dragster to the winner’s circle with a win over Joey Severance – 5.440/266.37 to 5.494/260.81.

“I can say that I am definitely NOT a man,” she said with a huge smile as she gracefully displayed her winner’s medal. “It’s a good thing I don’t look like a man, otherwise I might be offended. It’s just an ongoing joke with [announcer] Alan Reinhart.”

“We squeaked by Joey in the final with that Bucky Austin horsepower – you can’t ask for anything better. That car is like a bracket car,” Will said.

Will is a self-proclaimed CompetitionPlus.com addict, admitting to visiting the site several times daily to check up on all the news and dirt updated constantly by our dedicated staff. From all of us here at CompetitionPlus – “Thanks Hillary. We’ll keep working hard to be your source for all the latest drag racing information.”

It doesn’t get any closer than that

On the verge of earning his very first national event win, Tate Branch did everything right to get to the finals. All the way through eliminations, Branch seemed to be getting the breaks needed to get his Bar’s Leaks Funny Car into the winner’s circle – but the cruel side of Las Vegas Lady luck dealt him a cruel hand, and in the final round against veteran racer Steve Gasparrelli, Tate left the starting one-thousandth of a second early, disqualifying him from the race and handing the win and the Wally to Gasparrelli.

“I kind of feel bad for Tate,” said Gasparralli on his way to the winner’s circle, “but, a win is a win, and we worked hard all weekend to get this car to the top.”

“ I was watching him the whole way down, and I knew he crossed the line first, and when I saw the light on in my lane I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

Just moments after Branch got out of the car at the top-end of the track and learned he’d red-lit, he said, “Well, there’s always tomorrow.”

Happy birthday to you!

Kevin Smith was shell-shocked when he learned he’d won his very first national event. Smith ran a 10.257 against his 10.23 and took the stripe in front of Tom Albritton who ran an almost perfect 9.686 against his 9.68 – just .006 off his dial.

“This is my first national event, my birthday weekend, and I’ve got my wife Kim here with me, it’s been an incredible weekend,” the ecstatic Smith said.

“This is only my sixth race in this car and this is the first national event I’ve entered – so I’m truly amazed,” he said.

His first Wally

In the heads-up final round, Modesto, California resident Stave Wann earned the Wally in Stock Eliminator over Aaron Koppien, 10.818 to 12.066.

“I’ve been racing for 18 to 20 years, and I’ve won quite a few divisional events, but I’ve never won a national until today,”said Wann.

“Now that I’ve got number one, it’s time to move on to the next one,” he said.

It’s all in the oil

Robert Naber took the line in front of Sheldon Grecker by about three feet to take the Super Comp bragging rights. Naber ran a 9.072 against a 9.05 index over Grecker’s 9.081.

Naber said, “When I think about it, I think it’s that Lucas Oil we run that makes all the difference. If you run this oil, these [Wally’s] just fall right in your lap!”


Just a Roadster in the wind

In a double breakout battle, Lindon Utah’s Ed Olpin won the Super Gas trophy with a 10.040 against a 10.07 index (-.030 broken out) versus Rick Beckstrom’s 10.023 (-.047 broken out.)

“We were up and down all weekend, but we pulled it through. The win really played with us – it was just a Roadster in the wind,”Olpin said.

SUNDAY NOTES -

And then there were none - Even with her best elapsed time of the weekend, Ashley Force wasn't able to advance against the Blown Alcohol car driven by Joey Severance. Force ran 5.588/253.61 against the quicker Severance at 5.454/261.93. With Force on the trailer, there are no more A/Fuel cars left in the hunt.

His luck ran out. - With just 13 laps under his belt, Jeff Isbell couldn’t match Ed Schmeeckle in the second round of eliminations. With a near-perfect reaction time of .009, Schmeeckle put the freshman on the trailer – 5.580 to 5.687.

Who’s your daddy? - Tate Branch looked at the ladder and smiled when he saw Gary Scelzi’s name as a candidate for whom he would run in the next round. Last weekend in Houston, Scelzi was talking with Branch about his upcoming return performance in Alcohol. Gary looked down to Branch’s son and said, “Your daddy has never let me win a race against him.”

Branch was looking forward to facing his old nemesis and keeping the record in tact — but it wasn’t in the cards for this weekend. In the first round of eliminations, Scelzi suffered a blown burst plate at about 600 feet and was put on the trailer by Bernie Harrington. Branch put Harrington on the trailer this morning in the second round of eliminations — 5.830 to 6.234.

Scelzi at a divisional race? - “I think I accomplished what I wanted to this weekend with the funny car. I wanted to bring some more exposure to the Lucas Oil Series and help them out a little. I think of these guys as our “Bush series” and want to get more focus on what these guys are doing,” Scelzi said.

“I really enjoyed getting back behind the wheel of one of these things — and who knows, I might show up at a divisional race some time when I can totally focus on driving the alcohol car,” he said. Stay tuned for more.... (See more of Gary Scelzi on CompetitionPlusTV.com )

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SATURDAY NOTES - Alky Funny Car carnage, Girl Power and the return of Von Smith

Parity - At the altitude of The Strip and with the heat of the day, the blown dragsters definitely had the advantage. In the first round of eliminations, the Injected cars didn’t fare well. Shields: Out. Harper: Out. Ahten: Out. Olivarez: Out. Force: In (holeshot).

She Treed Him - Ashley Force earned the A/Fuel bragging rights by slapping a holeshot win over Brandon Johnson. Force registered a .028 reaction time to Johnson’s .076.

Still the “Man” - Hillary Will again proved that “she’s the man,” with the low E.T. and top speed of the round – 5.404 seconds and 266.37 miles per hour.

Now he can concentrate - Jack Beckman has one less thing on his plate after the first round: he doesn’t have to worry about driving Frank Dischbein’s Blown Alcohol Dragster on Sunday. Beckman was beaten by Jeff Isbell – 5.522 seconds to 6.892 seconds. Beckman cut a .056 light and left Isbell at the line (Isbell’s RT was .165 seconds), but then had mechanical failure at about half track and Isbell drove past him for the light.

Tomorrow, Beckman can focus on driving the Menard’s Top Fuel Dragster in eliminations.

Lucky thirteen - In this short career of Alcohol racing, Jeff Isbell’s first round in eliminations is only his thirteenth run in an alcohol dragster – including his licensing runs.

A bad roll in Vegas - The first elimination round of Alcohol Funny Car was marred by two car’s that broke at the line, one red light start, and two cars that blew up. Dennis Taylor and Bucky Austin couldn’t get their cars to start at the line, Henry Coolidge tried too hard to beat Tate Branch at the tree and redlit, Gary Scelzi broke after he fell asleep at the tree, and after cutting a .014 light on Cy Chesterman, Brian Hough’s car went up in smoke at half track.

Scelzi Sez - that these cars are a lot different than the Top fuel funny car he’s used to driving. Take a look at an interview with Gary on www.CompetitionPlusTV.com

N-N-N-N-nineteen - Doug Gordon had a rough weekend trying to get his car in the show. After two shots with mechanical difficulties, he ran a 5.849/248.07 pass – good enough for the No. 19 position.

After the Rage - “Just a few days after I lost the Pro Mod ride with [Tommy Lipar Racing’s] Dr. Moon’s Rage, I got a call from Rick Jackson asking me if I wanted to drive a funny car,” said Von Smith.

“I said ‘absolutely.’”

Smith ‘is dancing on Sunday’ after Dennis Taylor pushed away from the starting line and handed him the win. Smith will face Larry Miner in the second round on Sunday.

The Doctor is in the House - 2003 Top Alcohol Dragster National Champion Alan Bradshaw helped Bob Unkefer in the announcing booth during the final round of qualifying for Alcohol Dragster. Bradshaw said, “It was so great to be out at the track and see my racing family.”

Bradshaw is currently pursuing several opportunities to put himself behind the wheel of a Top Fuel Dragster or Funny Car and is also continuing to build his chiropractic practice in Odessa, Texas.

Bradshaw was quick to point out that while he may not be in competition this weekend, he’s far from done pursuing his life long dream of racing professionally. “I’ve talked with several teams — even a top Pro Stock team — exploring the options and determining availability. I’ll be out there soon,” he said.

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FRIDAY NOTES - Scelzi takes a spin in Alcohol; Lots of Flops on hand

(4-15-2005) - It's like riding a bike - It's been a long time since nitro Funny Car pilot Gary Scelzi has been behind the wheel of an alcohol funny car, But the multi-time champion showed that he still can go down the track -- even if it is like a top-fueler. Scelzi is doubling up this weekend, driving his Oakley Dodge in the Top Fuel ranks as well as the Top Alcohol Funny Car he formerly drove and sold to Bob Meer.

In his first qualifying attempt, Scelzi got off the line well and then lost traction in the Meer Capitol Partners car. Just like the fuel Funny Car driver that he is, Scelzi didn’t give up and pedaled the car to record a paltry 6.134 second, 228.54 mile per hour pass.

Scelzi's publicist, Judy Stropus, who is not familiar with the Alcohol ranks or their performance standards, asked no one in particular in the press room, "Was that a good time?"

"No," was the resounding reply of those in the know.

A full Funny Car field - Vegas is a town for winners -- and this event always brings out the very best. Pre-entered in the Alcohol Funny Car contest are 26 cars, including six of the top ten in the world, all vying for 16 qualifying positions. Along with all the regular appearing names are standouts like Gary Scelzi, Larry Miner and Von Smith.

And your Number One Alcohol Funny Car Qualifier is - With several cars having difficulty navigating The Strip, Jay Payne stormed down the track almost a full tenth of a second quicker than No. 2 Dennis Taylor. Payne ran a 5.700/253.30 to lead the after the first round, Taylor ran a 5.790/246 pass to secure the number two position. Notable among drivers not qualified was 2004 World Champion Cy Chesterman.

Not bad for a rookie - In his National Event debut, Salt Lake City driver Jeff Isbell ran an impressive 5.559/252.71 to take the No. 2 position. Formerly a Super Comp Dragster driver, Isbell is keeping drag racing in the family. Both of his daughters, Lexi and Becca, run in the Jr. Dragster series.

Double Duty - Honoring a commitment he made earlier this year, Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School instructor ‘Fast’ Jack Beckman is pulling double duty – running Frank Dischbein’s Las Vegas-based Top Alcohol Dragster while at the same time making his professional debut behind the wheel of Dexter Tuttle’s Menards/Mail Terminal Services/DHL Top Fuel dragster.

“It’s going to be tough racing two cars, especially since they are completely different to drive, but I feel confident I can pull it off,” Beckman said.

Beckman ran a 5.752/250.18 to grab the No. 9 qualifying position after one round.

On a Roll - Local boy and “west coast powerhouse” according to Alan Reinhart, Duane Shields picked up right where he left off in Houston, running a 5.582/255.29 to take the No. 4 position in the lineup.

What’s in a name? - Gainesville Winner Aaron Olivarez was trying to make a correction -- During last weekend’s O’Reilly Spring Nationals in Houston, veteran announcer Bob Frey repeatedly called Aaron ‘Alan’ while announcing the race. In a friendly attempt to remind Bob of his name, Olivarez put a note on the back of his wing that said, “Hey Bob, it’s AARON, Not Alan.”

Alan Reinhart who was assigned announcing duties for the Top Alcohol Dragster class at Las Vegas said from the tower: “Hey AARON, it’s Alan, not Bob!

All the way to Number two - Gary Scelzi got it figured out and laid down an impressive 5.714/252.61 pass to earn the No. 2 position after two qualifying rounds.

And the champ moves up - 2004 Top Alcohol Funny Car World Champion Cy Chesterman made the field at No. 9 with a 5.783/247.97 run, all the way up from No. 23.

Atta Boy Girl, Alcohol Dragster Division - She was No.1 qualifier in Pomona at the Winternationals and earned the runner-up rights for that event. Scotia, California driver Hillary Will is again on top, running her Girl Power Dragster. According to Alan Reinhart, “Hillary’s the man.”

Parity? - After two rounds of Alcohol Dragster qualifying, the top six spots are filled with Blown Alcohol cars. Duane Shields — the quickest and fastest of the A/Fuel cars is holding on to No.7 with a 5.582 second mark.

a d v e r t i s e m e n t

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(4-15-2005) - Stay tuned as our staff arrives in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the 6th annual SummitRacing.com Nationals. Check in daily for news and notes from this event.

THURSDAY, April 14, 2005

Pit and Spectator Gates Open 7:00 AM
Registration and Tech Inspection continues (all categories) 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sportsman Qualifying 9:00 AM
Secure Track 6:00 PM

FRIDAY, April 15, 2005

Pit and Spectator Gates Open 7:00 AM
Final Registration and Tech Inspection (Pro's & TAD/TAFC only) 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Sportsman Qualifying/Eliminations 8:00 AM
TAD/TAFC Qualifying Session 1:00 PM
TAD/TAFC Qualifying Session 4:30 PM
Secure Track


SATURDAY, April 16, 2005

Pit and Spectator Gates Open 7:00 AM
Sportsman Eliminations 8:00 AM
TAD/TAFC Qualifying Session 2:00 PM
TAD/TAFC - Round 1 4:15 PM
Sport Compact - Round 1 5:15 PM
Secure Track 6:30 PM



SUNDAY, April 17, 2005

Pit and Spectator Gates Open 8:00 AM
Sportsman Eliminations 9:00 AM
Secure Event 4:30 PM

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