FUNNY CAR

Atchison's breakthrough year continued at Epping, as the points leader led the way in qualifying with a 5.783 at 241.80 mph. Number two in the points, Mark Thomas, slotted into the same position in qualifying with a 5.795 at 243.50 that stood up as top speed of the meet.

Fittingly, the two top drivers met in the final after Atchison disposed of Vincent Rastelli, Tony Bogolo, and John Vouros, while Thomas took care of Charlie Gambino (who was fortunate to be racing on Sunday after a major engine explosion in qualifying destroyed his primary body), Larry Dobbs, and Fred Tigges, who broke in the burnout for the semis.

Charlie Gambino before. . .

and after.

Thomas had an uncharacteristically bad light in the final (.179) against the .072 by Atchison, who then motored to a relatively easy win. Atchison's Chevy-powered Erickson Manufacturing Firebird got quicker with each successive elimination round, going 5.915, 5.902, 5.865, then 5.816 seconds at 241.02 mph in the final.

After going to his sixth final in eight events and earning his fourth win of the year, Atchison called 2003 a "truly unbelievable season." He also referred to a little payback after Thomas beat him in the final earlier this year at Edmonton, Alberta, preventing the London, Ontario native from sweeping victories at all three Canadian events. "I haven't been able to forget that loss and really wanted to get one back on him," Atchison said.