Tony Bartone enjoyed a good outing, by recent WWF Racing standards. He qualified in the number two spot at 4.85, and his 315.86-MPH reading was a new track record. It was no go in eliminations, though, with a first round exit. Bartone and teammate Jerry Toliver have managed only one round win this season combined. -JL

PRO STOCK HAD QUANTITY AND QUALITY
For all the recent talk about Pro Mod versus Pro Stock, one has to wonder what the Pro Stock racers would have to do to gain their measure of respect. Thirty-four racers showed up for qualifying, with thirteen of them running 6.99 or better and FAILING to make the cut. And it's like that at every event. Pro Stock is clearly the most challenging Eliminator in NHRA drag racing, measured by number of entrants and the spread from first to sixteenth. Or in Pro Stock's case, first to thirty-second. --JL

Keith Stark got to the final round, but didn't get the win. (Photo by Les Welch)

JUST SAYING 'NO' TO ALCOHOL?
On the other hand, the blown alcohol ranks had a total of thirty-four entries between the two categories, twelve Funny Cars and twenty-two dragsters. A downsizing seems likely, the only question being when and where. A shame it will be too, if indeed it comes to pass, as the blown Alky racers work as hard and have as much of themselves invested in the sport as anyone else. Since drag racing IS NOT headed for prime time TV land, it makes no sense to disenfranchise any group of hard racing teams. --JL

Tony Schumacher warms the tires at night. Note the lights on the tow vehicle. Atmosphere.

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