Top Fuel driver Luigi Novelli. (We just like the name.)

ARCADI HELPS DRAW
New Nitro Funny Car pilot Vinne Arcadi was on hand, and put together a decent showing. He did not make the final cut for eliminations, but got quicker with each run, ending up with a best lap of 5.09 / 299.06 mph. Arcadi, from Buffalo, NY, has the well-travelled Glen Mikres calling the shots, and he has the team going in the right direction. Arcadi, who like everyone else is looking for backing, put on a fund raising effort for DRAW during the St. Louis event, in which fans could donate $10.00 per qualifying session and autograph the car. Nice to see someone remember a group like DRAW, who collectively have done a lot of good for the sport over the years. -JL

SMITHS STILL STRUGGLING
The Rhonda Hartman-Smith / Smith Family racing "juggernaut" hit a speed bump at St. Louis. The Fram-backed outfit had made some inroads lately, with Rhonda putting her ride solidly in the Top Fuel fields, and John usually getting in on a one-shot-only scenario. But when qualifying was completed, Rhonda stood 19th out of 19, and John in at #13. That was as far as he got, as Darrell Russell took him out in round one. The two-car team thing is a tricky beast, no matter how you go about it. --JL

Danny Rowe was winner of the exhibition Pro Mod competition.

Ron Kammes qualified for the first time, running 6.24.

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