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In quarter-finals it was a battle of former NMCA world
champs as Tony Christian got the nod over Annette Summer when Annette's
Camaro had problems at the line. Dantoni ran another 6.84 to advance
and Christian's teammate Cody McManama took out Paul Rocco. While Dantoni
took the Mike's Transmission- sponsored, powerglide-equipped Camaro
of Lee and Mary Baltzell out with a 6.84, Freddy Davis drove his supercharged
'Vette into the quarter-finals over a troubled Shepherd.
In semi-final action, Dantoni took the teenaged McManama
to school, combining a .418 light with a 6.823 lap to trailer McManama
who ran a game but losing 6.84. In the other match-up McManama's mentor
Tony Christian (photo), in possibly his last race in a Pro Street car,
couldn't get around Davis' blown 'Vette, setting up a classic final
round.
The final was a classic nitrous power versus supercharger
power showdown. Davis put a massive holeshot on Dantoni with a .481
light to Dantoni's pedestrian .555 and appeared to have the trophy and
the money in bag, but the 'Vette had trouble and slowed to an 8.07 while
Dantoni ran 6.839/206 -- his fifth pass in eliminations between 6.82
and 6.84 -- for the win and the title.
SLAMMIN' SUPER STREET
No less than 63 cars made a qualifying attempt to be part
of the 32 car Super Street field, which was sponsored by Mickey Thompson
tires. It was without any doubt the strongest Super Street field in
history, with the qualifying times stretching from Steve Kirk Jr., who
qualified his 2000 Camaro at a blistering 7.381/193.21 to Randy Harris,
who held down the bump spot with a very respectable 8.198/167.41. In
all 27 of the 32 qualifiers ran 7.99 or quicker.
Perennial "ten wide" and Pro Street competitor and one
of the class's premier engine builders, Chuck Samuel, made what many
observers considered to be the pass of the event when he drove his turbocharged
Mustang to an astounding 196.20 pass. Samuel also ran a 195.82 in qualifying.
There may be cars that have gone faster, but on that lap the Mustang
was spinning the tires and sashaying back and forth all the way down
the course. It was a mighty impressive display of driving, guts and
determination on 10.5-inch wide tires.
The Fords far outnumbered the Chevys and other brands,
but when it came time to crown the Super Street champ the Blue Oval
brigade took it to the Bow-tie boys.
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