 BEGIN
THE BEGUINE
It's all over but the shouting! Turn out the lights, the party's over!
It's the first day of the rest of your life! Begin the beguine! Stick
a fork in it, it's done!
No, actually it's merely the season ending Winston World Finals at
scenic Pomona Raceway/Fairgrounds/Whatever. Well, it WOULD have been
a thriller if not for all the carnage in recent Top Fuel action. But
even with most (all) the points chases decided before the opening bell
will sound, intrigue will still reign, fortunes will ebb and flow (some
literally), and we are here with the odds for you!
TOP FUEL
CORY MAC 2-1 From the also-ran ranks to the top of the heap!
No points title in reach, but it's can do for the Pomona stop. Radical
new pipe gives CM the edge for event win - can't hurt in off-season
job hunt and/or salary posturing.
GARY SCELZI 5-2 Would like nothing better than to cap off title
year with Pomona win. No critics on how it came about, but win at last
Y2K show would keep whiners quiet.
DOUG KALITTA 3-1 Be no surprise if he did in top two. Can only
hope this camp's money men are happy with team's Y2K progress. Look
out in 2001!
JOE AMATO 7-2 Been leaning on it lately, with some success.
A late season win could be the right medicine for a good start in 2001.
MELANIE TROXEL 4-1 Some tough times in several areas of late.
In an awsome car, may be feeling the pressure of hired gun role.
KENNY BERNSTEIN 5-1 New chief on board, so may pick it up a
bit. But we've seen this wrinkle before, and it ain't necessarly the
magic bullet!
DON LAMPUS 6-1 One who has benefited by presence of new tuner.
Might still be a stretch for overall win, but more a factor now than
ever.
LARRY DIXON 7-1 May yet scratch out of entry list, but capable
just the same. Battle damage the main concern, in and out of camp.
BOBBY BALDWIN 10-1 What a nice runnerup last out! Pomona a site
that has been kind to the little guy on occasion, so nothing is impossible.
RHONDA HARTMAN-SMITH 12-1 What the sport needs next is a competitive
distaff nitro campaigner. That's horse talk for female. RHS stands a
better chance than most of filling that billing.
PAUL ROMINE 15-1 Who knows, maybe he is tiring of IHRA range
war. Maybe he'll show up Pomona. Who knows?!
FUNNY CAR
RONNIE CAPPS 5-2 Insiders say his ship has finally come in.
Another who is benefiting from new hot rod -- may parlay it to winner's
circle and New Year success.
JOHN FORCE 3-1 Pomona not best of venues for owner of the bracket.
Probably the only stop on the tour where Da Boss feels like a legitimate
longshot.
WHIT BAZEMORE 7-2 Getting ready for the new year in a big way.
Nothing like a change in scenery to pep up a nitro racer, eh?
JERRY TOLIVER 9-2 What happened?! Remember that old Doobie Brothers
song (awright, no comments!), What Were Once Pleasures Are Now Vices
? I give you -- the two car team!
SCOTTY CANNON 6-1 PLEASE, hire someone to design your new paint
scheme. And make it someone other than whoever is doing it now!!!
JIM EPLER 7-1 The travellin' man gets one more shot a the title
before taking it to a new camp. Any chance at all of a cage match with
the boss? No? Drats!!!
BRUCE SARVER 8-1 Looks to have shored up his position with Team
Winston and the Johnson clan. Has a shot in this spot.
TONY PEDREGON 9-1 Odds are too generous for this charger --
I'm just tired of seeing a talented guy continuing to take a back seat
to anyone -- even the guy who signs the paychecks.
DEAN SKUZA 10-1 New Mopar deal will have this young un straining
at the bit. A live longshot for sure!
GARY DENSHAM Rumored to be taking the big dirt nap, sponsorwise,
goes into Pomona curtain closer the definite sentimental choice. No
odds on this one -- just let us at DRO say it's a sad day for the sport
when a racer like GD can't get a deal!
PRO STOCK
With the points race a distant memory, and with even the biggest of
the big guns admittedly in a test 'n tune mode, we won't bore you with
an odds line for this field. Just sit back, enjoy the race (on TV or
in person), and look forward to all the off-season intrigue involving
new cars, new sponsors and all the other news.
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