Team AC Delco, (Nitrous Division), actually clocked a 4.03 at only 164 mph during testing but a 0.932-second 60-feet ET was quickly deemed a rear-wheel-start. Harold Martin’s legitimate best of 4.10/177 qualified fifth but a massive 0.13-second first-round holeshot by John Deflorian pushed a 4.24/170 past the Detroit veteran’s 4.23/156.
Words and Photos by Bret Kepner
5/2/06
While rain again played a role in the outcome of the event, the ADRL’s first visit to Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois, produced an exceptional display of machinery and performances. Atmospheric conditions never approached “mineshaft” conditions but the field of fifty-seven total entries still managed sixteen-car bump spots of 4.29 seconds, (Pro Nitrous), and 4.09 seconds, (Pro Extreme)...with only two qualifying sessions!
The ADRL restructured its Friday event format to include a mandatory, under-the-lights qualifying session to run concurrent with the association’s now-legendary all-day testing program. In fact, the
new Friday session took on added importance when the final period of the two qualifiers scheduled for Saturday was washed out by weather. After the completion of track drying procedures, eliminations began despite an ominous forecast and, although the finals were again pre-empted by a rainstorm which moved the championship runoffs to the next Flowmaster/ADRL battle in Memphis, TN, the St. Louis-area fans were treated to tight racing and a slew of exceptional runs.
Alabamian Keith Baker only qualified seventh in the Pro Nitrous field, (4.12/174), but the CCP Racing Stingray hit a best of 4.07/180.89 en route to a semi-final loss to Todd Tutterow which still regained the PN point lead from Johnny Pilcher.
Jeff Balton’s radical big-bodied ‘99 Chevy, quickly dubbed the “Insane Clown Monte”, never reached the finish line under power but the Tennessee blown car drew plenty of response.
Cody Barklage won the sibling rivalry with brother Zack by qualifying on the Pro Extreme bump at 4.090/180 knocking Zack’s new Steve Bruce-built ‘57 Bel-Air from the field by four thousandths of a second! The Missouri GTO’s consistent 4.10/183 failed to take advantage of a vulnerable Jason Scruggs in the opening round.
Todd Bauknecht’s sleek blown Stingray outpedaled Bennie McDonald in the opening round but never duplicated his 4.02/181 qualifying pace.
One of the first Pro Modifieds built by Andy McCoy, Tim Branson’s patriotic ‘63 Nova is a regular at Gateway events but the hometown machine failed to qualify despite respectable 60-feet ETs.
Bil Clanton still has ‘em scratchin’ their heads. After two aborted test efforts, the “Big Money” Commander again produced unearthly progressive ETs during qualifying including a 0.955 sixty and 2.580 three-thirty on his unreal 3.91/184.37 number two qualifier. Tire shake and off-pace 4.01/179 and 4.00/179 elimination runs over Hugh Scott and Todd Bauknecht got the Georgian to the semis where an oil leak forced a shut-off against Quain Stott.