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The Austrian had injured the one engine he1d used for
the entire event. In a classic top fuel pit thrash with help from many
of the top fuel teams, Steiner and crew managed to get his last bullet
into the new Sterling chassis for the final. When Steiner warmed the
motor in his pit, there was no oil pressure, but in legendary fashion
headed to the staging lanes for his final against the twice-defeated
"Sheriff" Jack Harris. (Photo above by Tim Marshall)
In the final, they staged with Steiner's motor sounding
like it was running on seven cylinders as Harris powered on to grab
the March Meet crown running 6.073 at 219.94 to a wounded Steiner at
9.182. Ironically, Steiner had loaned his new M&H slicks to Harris for
a Friday qualifying session. (Photo above by Tim Marshall)
I'm not sure how this double loser, Goodguys "break rule"
format came about in top fuel. I don't remember drag racing quite like
that; if you broke, the next round was a bye-run for your competitor.
However, it certainly provides exciting side-by-side racing action for
avid nostalgia drag fans in each round.
This race was one of the best March Meets I've witnessed
in recent years. Goodguys has dropped its vast Vintage Racing schedule
of past years in favor of a more focused, West Coast, three race series
for 2002. The next race will be held at the new Sears Point Raceway
Drag Strip in April and the Goodguys Fuel and Gas Finals in November
will be back at Famoso. With the overwhelming crowds of this Bakersfield
race, Goodguys made the right financial decision and may have opened
the door for smaller nostalgia drag racing promoters to field their
own regional top fuel shows this season.
As 1964 NHRA Top Fuel Champ Jack Williams, who runs the
Bakersfield facility remarked, "This is no longer just a drag race,
it's a happening!"
PHOTO EXTRA
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| AA/Gas Supercharged was won by Gary Reinero
(far lane) from Merced, Calif. who ran 6.98 to get the win over
Mike Leonard's 7.10 (Photo by Tim Marhsall) |
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| Jr/Fuel was won buy recent NHRA Phoenix Comp
Eliminator winner Wayne Ramay running a best of 7.148/185.91, setting
both ends of the Goodguys record. (Photo by Tim Marshall) |
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