Goodguys Nitro Nats at Pomona Words by Darr Hawthorne Photos by Zak Hawthorne 7/13/04

Al "Mousie" Marcellus was Grand Marshall of the race and Winged Express driver Mike Boyd closed the place each night with a thundering pass prior to the 10 p.m. curfew.

he Goodguys 7th Nitro Nationals at Pomona Dragstrip had all the makings SoCal nostalgia racing fans should be looking for: the cream of front-motored top fuel, funny cars, good weather and the historic Fairplex quarter-mile with night-time qualifying and eliminations.

Sitting second in VRA points, Nitro veteran Jim Murphy qualified well, but had to lift early in the first round of eliminations, handing the victory to Mark Hyla.

Bill Dunlap prepares for his second round race with Jack Harris, but his 5.916 was not quite enough for Harris' 5.848

Jack "The Sheriff" Harris and his crew from Utah led qualifying in the Top Fuel A division. The Nitro Thunder team not only won their category, but also on the way set low ET and Top Speed of the meet in the final over Jack White running 5.797 at 252.31 MPH. Harris has won the last four nostalgia top fuel events at Pomona and this win may very well have wrapped-up the 2004 VRA Championship with his commanding points lead.

Sean Bellemeur drove the MasterCam dragster to the Top Fuel B division win in the Plaza Hotel-sponsored ride. Bellemeur defeated Jeff Diehl in the semi-final round and then again in the final thanks to the Goodguys "break rule." Here, Diehl's crew thrashes one more time preparing for the final.