NHRA president Tom Compton’s assertion that this month’s four abreast exhibition at Bruton Smith’s zMAX Dragway will mark “the first time that fans can witness modern Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars running four-wide” depends on his definition of “modern.”
 
That’s because Hall of Fame crew chief Austin Coil can recall at least two past occasions when the ChiTown Hustler, the Funny Car with which he first rose to prominence before directing John Force to 14 championships for Castrol GTX, was involved in four-across racing.  In fact, he actually drove the “Hustler” in a four-wide race at Rockford, Ill., in 1969.
 
“We had both our new car and our old car out there because we were testing the new car to make sure it was all right,” Coil said.  “Somebody didn’t show up who was supposed to be there, so they made us an offer to run both cars.  I drove the new one and Pat Minick drove the old one.  I think we made three runs (in the four across configuration).

NHRA president Tom Compton’s assertion that this month’s four abreast exhibition at Bruton Smith’s zMAX Dragway will mark “the first time that fans can witness modern Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars running four-wide” depends on his definition of “modern.”
 
That’s because Hall of Fame crew chief Austin Coil can recall at least two past occasions when the ChiTown Hustler, the Funny Car with which he first rose to prominence before directing John Force to 14 championships for Castrol GTX, was involved in four-across racing.  In fact, he actually drove the “Hustler” in a four-wide race at Rockford, Ill., in 1969.
 
“We had both our new car and our old car out there because we were testing the new car to make sure it was all right,” Coil said.  “Somebody didn’t show up who was supposed to be there, so they made us an offer to run both cars.  I drove the new one and Pat Minick drove the old one.  I think we made three runs (in the four across configuration).
 
“I drove (the ChiTown Hustler) a couple times, later on,” Coil said.  “The last time I drove was in Jacksonville, Florida in, like, February of 1970, maybe.”
 
In addition to his own four-abreast driving experience, Coil said he was involved in another four across race at Budds Creek, Md., in which Ron Colson drove the Hustler and “I’m sure ‘Jungle Jim’ (Liberman) was there and many others.  They (ran four abreast) a lot at Budds Creek during that time.”
 
Coil, who is celebrating his 25th year with Force, actually will send another driver to the starting line in this week’s 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals.  For the second and probably final event, Coil and co-crew chief Bernie Fedderly are preparing the Auto Club Ford this week for team driver Robert Hight.
 
Hight, who has struggled all season long with an inconsistent car, needs to advance two rounds further than both Matt Hagan and Cruz Pedregon in Monday’s eliminations to race his way into the Countdown to One playoffs.
 
Meanwhile, Force is driving for the second race in a Castrol GTX Ford prepared by Jimmy Prock. 

Advertisement