Top Fuel winner McGee, 31, of nearby Exeter, Calif., defeated the touted Sean Bellemeur in the final run down the legendary quarter-mile. McGee's '97 Tedford, which qualified sixth on Saturday, drove the distance in just 6.134 seconds at a top speed of 227.15 miles per hour, while Bellemeur could only muster a 6.279 at 207.27. Top qualifier Bill Dunlap lost to McGee in the semi-finals while Jack Harris, who had the low e.t. and fast speed of the meet, lost to McGee in the second round as he red-lighted.

"It feels absolutely wonderful," McGee said after the run. I want to keep it rolling." And what about winning the 13th Reunion, "I'm not superstitious," said McGee, laughing.

The A Fuel class was split between fuel-injected and supercharged racers. Anderson, Calif.'s Kin Bates' A Fuel (injected) win brought an excited reaction from a crew member, who called it "the little Hemi that roared."

Mike Austin of Medford, Ore. won in A Fuel Blown, causing car owner Tony Waters to say, "I gotta get a fish [victory] once in a while to keep it going." Even though nostalgia drag racing isn't as expensive as the NHRA POWERade Racing Series, a victory keeps any racer happier.

Jr. Fuel A Winner Haire of Napa, Calif. was amazingly consistent during eliminations with runs of 7.036 in the first round, 7.046 in the second round and 7.038 in the final round. His qualifying time was 7.019 seconds in his '03 URC equipped with a 396 cubic inch engine.

If Haire was consistent this weekend, A/Gas Eliminator winner Sean Renteria has been consistent for the past three years. Renteria, of Hollister, Calif. turned a "hat trick" by winning his third consecutive Reunion final as he defeated Augustine Herrera of Montebello, Calif.

The newly restored Fisher-Greth Speed Sport Roadster motored down
the Famoso quarter mile. (Zak Hawthorne photo)

Jim Murphy qualified 2nd for the Top Fuel field running a 5.860. Standing to the right is ProNitro's Jim MacMonagle who was testing a new nitromethane that is cleaner and purer than previous mixtures. Apparently the new nitro is working producing 257 mile per hour blasts for both Murphy and #3 qualifier "Sheriff" Jack Harris. (Zak Hawthorne photo)