Cordova International Raceway’s World Series of Racing battled rain showers during the first of the two-day event. Having grown into the longest running annual drag race event, the event has evolved to showcase the nostalgia genre, featuring current Top Fuel and Funny Car stars in match race competition.

The sporadic showers gave way later in the day which allowed the event to get in Nostalgia Funny Car qualifying. Paul Romine grabbed the number 1 position with 5.879 elapsed time in his “Man-O-War” Mustang AA/FC. John Hale’s 6.017 slots him at number 2. The Nostalgia Pro Stock contingent then took to the track with Rick Cassel in the Bob Glidden Arrow versus Art Ludwig in the California Flash Duster. Cassel carded a winning 8.427 ET at 161.5 MPH as Ludwig’s HEMI gave up at 300’, kicking the rods of the block. As the CIR track crew cleaned up the carnage, the skies opened up for good, and the day’s racing activities were cancelled.

Racing resumes Saturday, with the continuation of the Nostalgia Funny Car, Nostalgia Super Stock, Nostalgia Pro Stock, and Professional Nitro Match Racing among the features.