A look back at the 2004 World Series of Drag Racing

Jack Wyatt—The Iowa vet had an up-and-down weekend. Shut off behind the line with an oil overflow problem, Wyatt regrouped in round two with a 5.67 lap. Wyatt was working on his 85% tune-up, with the help of long time aid Jerry Neumann, in preparation for the U.S. Nationals.

Vicky Fanning—Recently added to the Bob Bench team, the Texas two-stepper danced around a variety of difficulties. In round one, she was a bit late against Keith Jackson. She appeared to be catching him until the motor went south at 800 feet, burning four pistons in the process. She left on time in her round two race against Wyatt, but found herself bouncing off the left guard rail about 150 feet off the line. The damage appeared to be minimal, and Bench, Fanning and company pronounced their first-ever World Series appearance a qualified success.

Steve Hill, Taylorsville, Illinois—The day’s best numbers, and best blow up went to Hill. He recently took his ‘66 Vette roadster out of storage and back into action. Using a 496-inch Arias, 14:71 blower and a powerglide, he ran 7.04 for low e.t. of the day. But he suffered a blower explosion in the final round, making his weekend an artistic success, but an expensive one.