“It’s amazing the number of championships there are around this team,” said Stevens. “I’m the only one lacking here, it seems." (Actually there are 17 in all counting Glidden, Coughlin and nitro pilots Tony Schumacher (2) and Gary Scelzi (3). And, in fairness, Whit Bazemore is also looking for that elusive first championship).

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Having Glidden as a mentor doesn’t hurt as Stevens, now 26, seeks to re-establish himself.

“He’s a hell of a guy. He can do it all, and will not stand still for a minute. He definitely wants this deal to work, and he’s constantly looking for things to make it better,” Stevens said. “He’s been great to me. He’s given me a little advice as I’ve worked at getting comfortable again, and as many times as he’s gotten the job done, you listen.”

After several days of testing in Florida, Stevens rolled to the top qualifying spot on Saturday with a 6.696 (205.42 mph). He clicked off early-round times of 6.709 and 6.73, and had a bye in the semifinal round.

“It took me about two or three runs to get the routine back and get comfortable, but now it feels like a perfect fit again. I’m excited.”

Like so many NFL SuperBowls, getting there was more exciting than the finale. Stevens lit up the tires early and limped to a 13.20 (65.17 mph) while Connolly hazed it shortly after the tree, and wound up with a 7.87 (122.83 mph) victory.

“The track was gone,” Connolly said. “The evening got damp enough and the track cooled off enough that there wasn’t much to go with.

”Stevens said, “We lost a little bit in that final – hopefully it comes back to us in Pomona.”

Erica Enders took the Cagnazzi Racing Chevy Cavalier to a 6.695/205.82 pass on Friday, but went out in the first round of the Pro Stock SuperBowl on Saturday

Anderson dominated testing in Florida, including passes in the 6.60-range – but Connolly believes this year the winners circle will not be as exclusive a club as 2004 when Anderson set an NHRA record by winning 15 of 23 events, leaving the crumbs around for Line (4), Connolly (3) and Kurt Johnson (1, way back in Phoenix).

“You won’t see the blowout K-B (Racing) had last year,” Connolly said. “Obviously they are someone to be reckoned with, but our team is established (Larry) Morgan’s engine program is farther along, and the Schumacher team has all the backing it needs. . . . I think if Mike Edwards (with Frank Iaconio engines) gets back on track he could be in the deal, and Greg Stanfield is a good driver and if he can get some pretty good motors, he’s a factor.”  Connolly is glad to see Stevens back in the fold. “He’s a good friend, a great racer and good for this division. You want to have competition like that.”

Stevens agrees with the K-B/Schumacher/Bullet troika, but has also been impressed with the Cagnazzi Racing entry and 21-year-old Erica Enders. “There’s a lot of positives in her camp, a good budget to buy what’s needed, and she’s a pretty good driver already,” Stevens said.

Stevens believes Yates, once he gets the handle on his new Haas-built Pontiac, will establish his usual veteran presence. “He ran some solid times here,” Stevens said.

As for Warren and Kurt Johnson? “Right now who can tell? He (Warren) didn’t come to Houston, and usually by now we’ve heard from somebody what he’s done in testing. He’s been very quiet . . . is he keeping something secret? Until we get to Pomona, I guess we won’t know.”