 The
first thing I spotted as I entered the grounds was this Sox &
Martin replica. I didn't look under the hood because it would
have ruined the illusion. |
 |
 On
the way back to the motel following the Hall of Fame banquet, I
spotted this little sweetheart -- a ‘64 Rambler Classic 4-door,
with hood bump, rear spoiler, full cage, parachute, and 502ci BB
Chevy! Even through six (!) mufflers, this sucker sounded potent.
Owner Jimmy Lowry claimed mid-8s… |
 I
wanna think that the whole Checker-Schucks-Kragen team would like
to forget Gatornats qualifying. This incident with Johnny Gray –
reportedly a loose oil line – started things, and the DNQ by Del
Worsham ended things. Pretty crazy to think that Del, the most
recent winner on the circuit, would DNQ here! |
 After
disappointing early season attempts in Steve Schmidt's cars, Bob
Glidden spent his Florida weekend in street clothes. |
 Several
people have Emailed about the gold dust mentioned for Pro
Stockers. During qualifying, a pair of guys rubs "rosin"
into the bald spots after every pair of cars launch. |
 A
few things in this photo… There is the new paint on Connie
Kalitta's racecar, a retro look reminiscent of a couple of his
FCs. Then there is the "cambot" arm that mounts the TV
camera to get some of those up close and personal shots we've
come to enjoy. How about that crowd? This is Saturday but all the
days were great. Don Garlits' museum has premium ad space at
Gainesville. |
 A
scene inside Darrell Gwynn's pit early Thursday included 500 of
John Force's pistons to be autographed and sold for charity.
They covered four tables like this! |
 The
huge crowds really responded to Pro Modified, which did its
pre-gridding directly in front of the main grandstand. That's
Tommy Gray's Undertaker at the head of the line. |
 Todd
and Barry Paton showed with the #99 Camaro. They failed to break
into the field but showed signs of just what these folk are
capable. Look for big things from this eastern Canada entry. |
 Andrew
Cowin made the TF field in 16th, bumping both Don Garlits and
Chris Karamesines in the process. Please note that the word
"Yankees" was noticeably absent in Florida. |
 The
Creasy/Craftsman Firebird failed to make the top 16 with a best of
5.254/249, but is closing in on a competitive combo. |
 No
argument -- the Miller Lite machine is the hottest car on the
circuit. So far in 2002, Don Prudhomme, Dick LaHaie, and Larry
Dixon Jr. have been enjoying Miller Time. |
 Among
the most radical paint seen on two wheels is that on Joe DeSantis'
Suzuki. He qualified 15th and lost to Angelle Savoie in R1. |
 John
Nobile showed with new sponsorship on his New York-based
previously just purple Cavalier. His 6.924/200 best gave him just
27th. |
 One
of drag racing's favorite driver's ed teachers, Roy Hill, checked
out the relative success of his alumni during Gainesville
qualifying. |
