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

Chris Martin reporting, Burkster and Matt Schramel damage control

9:31 PM, 8/26/05

FIRST-ROUND “CHICAGO-STYLE” ELIMINATIONS

Nostalgia Super Stock/Stock/Super Stock

After the National Anthem, the obligatory prayer, and the sacrifice of the male virgin, the first round of the World Series began in earnest with the Nostalgia Super Stocks.  If you’re not familiar with these cars, they are heads-up1960 era full-on Super Stocks. Keen stuff.

Lowe E.T. of eliminations was rolled when John Grinwald’s “Asphalt Elephant” ’62 Dodge stomped the “Big Chief Black Cloud” ’62 Pontiac of Terry Croy, who began his run with a super over-the-starting line burnout.  Dave Richards’ 426 max wedge ’65 Plymouth advanced at a 10.49 when Larry Quinn’s “Blast From the Past” ’62 Pontiac red-lighted and Joe Zajac gained some respect for the Pontiacs when his “Rompin’ Redskin’” ’63 Catalina clocked a 10.18 to tomahawk Doug Henderson’s “Never Too Late” 426-cid ’64 Plymouth Savoy.

A hole-shot (obviously) sent Dave Campbell’s 409-powered ’63 Chevy Bel-Air past Rick Berlisk’s “Asphalt Angel” ’63 Belvedere, 10.72 to 10.62 and Craig Pfohl’s Sox & Martin Replicar ousted John Rousset’s Jim Petersen’s Performance ’64 Dodge made a solo to wrap up the initial stanza with a so-so 11.02, 121.84

The USA Stock/Super Stock Series show was begun with a foul when Joe Schecter’s P/S ’66 Biscayne red-lighted against Jim Petersen’s N/S ’80 Dodge. Bob Gipson’s K/S ’65 Chevelle used an 11.81, 111.50 (10.78 dial) to bop John Lewis’ H/SA effort of 11.89, 105.65 (11.80 dial) and Tracy Reeder’s I/SA ’83 Camaro clocked a 12.55, 105.44 (12.52 dial) to handle the H/SA ’69 Camaro effort of 11.76, 111.64 (11.67 dial) by Greg Anderson.

Past NHRA national event winner Jerry Stealy’s G /SA ’86 Camaro fouled against Bill Dyer’s N/S Mustang and Tony Something (we’ll get this later) had an easy time of it when his G/SA Camaro soloed after Bob Turkal’s I/S entry broke.