The Team DRO dragster also came up short at the World Series. Dave Koehler brought the front-motored 200-inch wheelbased digger back after a year's absence, and wowed the crown with a pair of wild wheelstands. His 8.18 best came up short of the dragster bump spot. No doubt his difficulties were compounded by the "contributions" of two "key" DRO operatives (the Large Editor and some guy who writes the Lenny's Line column). All concerned will be sentenced to at least one figure-it-out-or die-trying at a Midwest track to be named later. (photo by Magic Photos)

Andy Nicholson (son of DRO Bracket Editor Jok Nicholson) drove DRO's Project 4-link/Top Dragster single 4-barrel on alcohol to a career-best 7.88.

ELIMINATIONS

The action got underway with top qualifier Jim Prevo (photo) of Mundelein, Illinois dealing out Rick Verkler of Davenport, Iowa. Prevo's '94 Spitzer dragster ran a 6.83/201.40 lap to oust Verkler's Chevy powered T-Bird Top Sportsman door car. Verkler ran a solid 7.45/184.67 in defeat.

Verkler is a hitter in IHRA Division 5 Top Sportsman action, and also serves as the "conscience" of the DRO Q-8 rules committee in his spare time -- and we thank him for it!

Next up, Dave Keeling of Bettendorf brushed aside Jim Wilson of Rock Island, Illinois. Wilson was late on the tree, and his '02 Camaro Outlaw Pro Stock's 7.70/76.37 try was no match for Keeling's winning 7.20 run. So far, it's dragsters 2, door cars 0.

DRO stalwart Don Speer was the next dragster guy to kick a door car out, as his blown Chassis Connection ride belted out a winning 7.03/189.71 trip. Art Ludwig of West Chicago, Illinois was out at the green, breaking on the line after fouling. David Jamison of Twinsburg, Ohio closed the round by closing out the door car hopes, putting away the Super Gas Daytona of Dennis Begyn. Jamison ran a solid 6.86/195.31 to advance.