Whit Bazemore discusses the Jim McLennan Drag Racing Foundation’s Top Fuel Intern Program with founder Bob McLennan and Bakersfield College Student Himmet Bhogal.
The Jim McLennan Drag Racing Foundation unveiled its “Top Fuel Interns” program at the Good Vibrations March Meet last month.
Twenty students from the Bakersfield College Auto Tech program were placed among a dozen Heritage Series Top Fuel Dragster teams at the 60th March Meet and began training as mechanics in the rarefied world of nitro drag racing.
In the attached video, AAFD President Bob McLennan explains to Whit Bazemore his reason and rationale for getting the program started — and the possibility of career changes for these trainees.
ICYMI: THE CONCLUSION OF 60TH MARCH MEET DRAGSTRIP RUMBLE, PT. 3: TOP FUEL Semi-finals and PT.4: TOP FUEL Final Round.
Mendy Fry guns for a back-to-back March Meet conquest and faces a familiar foe in the semi-finals, NHRA Heritage Series Top Fuel Champion, Jim Murphy, who is seeking out a 5th March Meet win. In the other match, two new faces, Pete Wittenberg and Bret Williamson, are making laps and taking names.
Will fate be kind to our AA/Fuel Dragster heroes? Or is Bakersfield just another boulevard of broken dreams?
Austin Lobhan from Rensselaer, New York USA (Comp Number: 170R) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 1 "Austin Lobhan" Owned by Austin Lobhan from Rensselaer, New York USA 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 by an Unknown chassis builder | Powered by a Unknown cubic inch Chevrolet by Reher Morrison with automatic transmission […]
Frank Berard from Johnsonville, New York USA (Comp Number: X143) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 1 "F and R Body Shop/Whalen Chevrolet" Owned by Frank Berard from Johnsonville, New York USA 2006 Chevrolet Cavalier by F and R | Powered by a 582 cubic inch Chevrolet by F and R […]
William Destefano from Warren, Rhode Island USA (Comp Number: 123) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 1 "Suggs Racing" Owned by William Destefano from Warren, Rhode Island USA 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SS by Johns Racecraft | Powered by a 714 cubic inch Chevrolet by Bobby Gufano with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile […]
Frank Volpe from Poughkeepsie, New York USA (Comp Number: 1620) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 1 "Frank Volpe Racing" Owned by Frank Volpe from Poughkeepsie, New York USA 2018 Ford Mustang by C&F Race Cars | Powered by a 708 cubic inch Chevrolet by Sunset Racing Engines with automatic transmission […]
Richard Carbone from Putnam Valley, New York USA (Comp Number: 1149) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 1 "Coan Torque Converters/MagnaFuel" Owned by Richard Carbone from Putnam Valley, New York USA 1988 Chevrolet Beretta Z26 by Jerry Haas | Powered by a 665 cubic inch Chevrolet by Steve Schmidt with automatic […]
Eric Khoury from North Salem, New Hampshire USA (Comp Number: 117E) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 1 "Eric Khoury" Owned by Eric Khoury from North Salem, New Hampshire USA 2000 Chevrolet S-10 by EK Motorsports | Powered by a 632 cubic inch Chevrolet by EK Motorsports with automatic transmission 1/4 […]
Richie Gauruder from Windsor Locks, Connecticut USA (Comp Number: 184E) 2025 - Category: SPORTSMAN, Type: HN, Class: Top Sportsman, Div: 1 "Touch of Evil" Owned by Richie Gauruder from Windsor Locks, Connecticut USA 1995 Chevrolet Camaro by Richie Gauruder | Powered by a 632 cubic inch Chevrolet by Sunset Racing Engines with automatic transmission 1/4 […]
Al Ackerman from Saddle Brook, New Jersey USA (Comp Number: 1160) 2025 - Category: COMPDRAG, Type: PN, Class: F/D, Div: 1 "Mr. Race Oil/Aircraft Services Group" Owned by Al Ackerman from Saddle Brook, New Jersey USA 2005 Dragster by ProStart | Powered by a 193 cubic inch Chevrolet with 3 speed manual transmission 1/4 Mile […]
Christopher Piston from Cicero, New York USA (Comp Number: 1298) 2025 - Category: COMPDRAG, Type: PN, Class: F/DA, Div: 1 "Jim Ford Dyno Service" Owned by Christopher Piston from Cicero, New York USA 2000 Dragster by Neil & Parks | Powered by a 197 cubic inch Chevrolet with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: 8.150 at […]
Don Eckel III from Piscataway, New Jersey USA (Comp Number: 1985) 2025 - Category: COMPDRAG, Type: PN, Class: C/DA, Div: 1 "Executive Travel & Concierge" Owned by Don Eckel from Piscataway, New Jersey USA 2009 Dragster by Pro Start | Powered by a 332 cubic inch Buick with automatic transmission 1/4 Mile ET: 6.967 at […]