THE 52ND WORLD SERIES OF DRAG RACING;
THE 50the ANNIVERSARY OF CORDOVA DRAGWAY

Chris Martin reporting, Burkster and Matt Schramel damage control

3:09 PM, 8/26/05

Some may not be aware of the fact but this is the 50th Anniversary of the racetrack and, to the best of my knowledge, that fact may make it the oldest weekly purpose built operation in the country. Yeah, Pomona Raceway ran an NHRA-sanctioned Southern California Championships race in 1953, but Pomona was not built as a racetrack. It’s essentially the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds with a part of the parking lot used for drag racing.

Cordova was built in late 1956 with the first World Series event with the first World Series event being hosted in 1957. From then to now, almost every superstar the sport has produced has competed here. Don Garlits, “Setto” Postoian (the first Cordova winner), Pete Robinson, Neil Leffler, Chris “the Greek” Karamesines, Don Prudhomme, Shirley Muldowney, and as you no doubt know by now, current Top Fuel World Champ Tony Schumacher.   

Top Fuel Notes

Schumacher is a definite show at this race. No last minute substitutes, but his old bad self in person. It’s been rumored that this might be one of Schumacher’s last shots in the U.S. Army “337” car because Melanie Troxel is reportedly going to make a squirt in the 337 ride because she is slated to drive it later this year. This shot is rumored to happen on Saturday and we’ll keep you posted on it when it occurs.

PIT NOTES

Again, it’s early, but we did get a chance to cruise the pits and already both “Diamond Jim” Crownhart Alcohol Funny Cars, Kevin Newburgh’s “Heckler” TA/FC,, the wheelstanders of Bob Hall, Richard Hutchens and Danny O’Day and the “Super Chief” jet dragster.

            In Fuel Altered competition, Ricky Ruiz is making an unexpected showing with his “Nevada Rattler” roadster. Ruiz of Sparks, Nevada is racing for the fifth time this year and is undefeated, having recently scored a match race win in Alaska and winning both the Firebird Igniter and the Pepsi Nightfire Fuel Altered Nationals in Boise, Idaho.