Points Chase Tight as Goodguys/VRA hits Pomona for 8th Pomona Nitro Nationals
Pomona, CA – The Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing Association roars into Pomona Raceway August 5, 6 & 7 for the 8th running of the Nitro Nationals - a three day weekend of 250mph nostalgic drag racing at the historic raceway. The event is the third stop of the 5-race 2005 Goodguys West Coast Series and boasts over 400 competitors battling it out in 14 classes. Joining the drag racing will be a “show & shine for rods, customs & classics, a manufacturer’s midway as well as an automotive swap meet. The Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing series takes fans and racers alike back to the sport’s “golden era” when slingshot-style front engined top fuel dragsters were all the rage and sleek bodied nitro burning funny cars thundered down the track.
The points chase in nostalgia top fuel is the tightest it’s been in the history of the Goodguys series, which was first contested 11 years ago in 1994. Tied in first-place are the two “Ricks” - Exeter, California’s Rick McGee, 31, and San Diego’s Rick White, 54, who got his first-ever Goodguys Series top fuel win in April at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. Second generation nostalgia top fuel racer Brett Harris, 38, of Kayesville, Utah is a mere 22 points behind in 3rd position driving the “Nitro Thunder” dragster – last year’s Goodguys top fuel championship-winning. But the man they all better watch out for as he gears up for a late season championship title run in 62 year old Jim Murphy of Santa Rosa. Murphy, a four-time Goodguys Top Fuel Champion (’97, ’98, ’99 & 2003) is currently fourth in points just 2 rounds behind the leaders. He has been testing extensively since the April event and thinks he has something for them in Pomona. “We coming with guns a blazing,” he said. “We don’t care if we burn up some pistons trying to win. We have the car, the talent and the track record to get it done. We will hold nothing back in Pomona.”
The Nostalgia Funny Car division got a big boost for the Pomona event when Ron Capps, of Carlsbad, driver of the Brut Dodge Stratus on the prestigious NHRA PowerAde circuit signed up to drive Jeff Gaynor’s “Hard Times” 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. The announcement generated such buzz in the drag racing community that the team was able to secure corporate sponsorship for the Nitro Nationals from Mopar Performance and auto parts retail giant Jeg’s of Ohio. Funny Car point’s leader Dan Horan Jr. of Sylmar isn’t worried about facing a pro racer. “I hope I get a chance to whip up on him pretty good,” said Horan who besides leading the points set the class elapsed time record in April at 6.14 seconds. When asked if he would be intimidated by Capps if the two faced off in eliminations, Horan, never one to sugar coat things, shot back “Hell no – not even a little bit. I think we’re going to kick all their butts. I will say that if Capps was driving our car – the whole world should be concerned.”
Defending Goodguys AA/GAS Champion Ed Moss, 61, of nearby Ontario is looking to take over the points lead from four time class champion Steve Woods of Northern California. Moss’ 200mph 1937 Ford coupe dominated the competition last year under the watchful eye of Rancho Cucamonga’s Randy Anderson, one of the most respected engine tuners in drag racing today whether it be nostalgia racing or modern day drag racing. To Anderson – an engine is an engine. Moss is the president of “Total Cost Involved” a giant street rod chassis manufacturer in Ontario. He’s enjoying the “golden years” of his life by competing in the Goodguys West Coast Series.
In other event news, Southern California Funny Car Legend Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen will join Dave McClelland – known worldwide as “The Voice of Drag Racing” for his 35-plus years as drag racing announcer and television host, will make celebrity appearances at the 8th Nitro Nationals. Goodguys will honor the duo as the event’s “Hot Rod Heroes,” presenting both with awards for their contributions to the world of high speed hot rodding. There will be an autograph signing session Saturday, August 6th at 1:00pm and a starting line award presentation Sunday, August 7th prior to final eliminations.
Qualifying and time trials are on tap for Friday and Saturday with special 8pm night qualifying both evenings for the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Cars and other professional categories. The popular “Marcellus & Borsch” Fuel Altered – a 1960s Southern California favorite - will make hair-raising, 200mph exhibition runs both Friday and Saturday evenings under the lights as well. Final eliminations are scheduled for Sunday, beginning at 10am.
Adult general admission is $25 per day, children ages 7-12 $10 per day. Gates open 8am daily. For additional information please visit www.good-guys.com
Goodguys/VRA 2005 West Coast Series Points Standings
Nostalgia Top Fuel
1 Rick McGee 165
2 Rick White 165
3 Brett Harris 143
4 Jim Murphy 123
5 Terry Cox 114
Nostalgia Funny Car
1 Dan Horan 215
2 Larry Petit 193
3 Mike Adams 173
4 Mike Savage 170
5 Randy Walls 105
A/Fuel
1 Mike Austin 202
2 Ron Attebury 189
3 Claude LaVoie 135
4 Ken Moitoza 122
5 Brett Williamson 121
AA/GAS
1 Steve Woods 230
2 Ed Moss 173
3 Chris Abbey 156
4 Howard Anderson 152
5 John Peterson 125
Junior Fuel
1 JD Zink 231
2 Scott Parks 213
3 Mike Chrisman 168
4 Brett Murphy 125
5 John Rowley 107
