Photo Review: Las Vegas Testing 2004

By James Drew

Eric Medlen gets big header flames.

98.9 percent of the people in Vegas were there for the NFL Super Bowl, but a few ventured out to The Strip. Not the strip with the one armed bandits and showgirls. NOPE, this was The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Gary Densham once again fronts for the SoCal AAA.

The nitro was again in the air as the start of a new season is upon us. Yes, it is only testing but the crews are getting ready to go into the 2004 NHRA drag racing season and all are shooting to be number one.

John Force once again led his troops to the top.

The glove was laid down by Team Force. Eric Medlen, the young lion who is just beginning his driving career, long time nitro Funny Car driver Gary Densham, and of course, that old truck driver John Force, rolled the out the 2004 new look. Team Force was the most dominant team on the grounds this weekend and were letting all the others know that 2004 will be a battle.

Gary Densham lining up his son Steven.

Contrary to the message boards, Tony Pedregon came out, made a couple of short bursts, and then one full run to get his new operation started. Everything is brand new, from the now famous Dickie V's first screwdriver and maybe a few wrenches, too! This whole operation was very impressive. They have good talent over there and will be a car other teams will have to race on Sunday.

Whit Bazemore was looking good.

Team Schumacher's 2004 Mopar Dodge funny cars are the just incredible. The paint jobs are Awesome, Bitchin', Boss, and just Kool. These paint jobs remind me of how the funny cars looked in the early ‘70s. Lee Beard and Tom Neff will have those cars running more consistent and going for the # 1 spot at every event.

Son, can you say HEMI?

Team Snake had a new crew chief, John Stewart, and a lot of new parts but no new Chevrolet Monte Carlos. They will be ready to Strike Venom at any and all comers.

Ron Capps hopes for a better 2004.

Team CSK rolled into town, made a few laps, and packed up to go home to work on their new Chevrolet Monte Carlos. The trailer already is sporting the new F/C.

Team Worsham is back with a vengeance in 2004.

Team Jerry Toliver and Jim Head will be bringing back the Toyota Celicas. With Alan Johnson’s tuning help, this team will be another player. There will be no easy wins in funny car. This team has four new Toyotas ready to take on the Fords, Chevys, and Pontiacs. Jerry must have purchased his new Volvo tractor at a CART auction (the semi had their logo still on it).

Baca and Henkelman seemed to be struggling with tire shake but Johnny West and Larry Meyer will make them players again this year. These guys they just want to be winners on the tour and a Wally may go home with them this year.

Arley Langlo was there and made two half-track runs. One was pretty decent: the dragster launched with big header flames and made its best pass down the track even with a dead hole. After that, the team packed up and went back home to watch the Super Bowl.

Nostalgia racer Professor Ginz attempted to make a couple of squirts in his new modern fueler but had instant tire smoke on both runs that I watched...

The nitro Lucas Oil A/Fuel Dragster team of # 2 Morgan Lucas was on hand. The ex-David Baca car is now tuned by Multi X champion Norm Grimes. This is a new animal to Norm. They made some shakedown runs with the motor that came with car. Norm, Randy Green, and crew will be putting some new motors together for the Pomona Winters. This team will be one to watch out for any time it pulls through the gates.

Ashley Force was there making laps in the car in which Morgan won his first national event, the Darien and Meadows Driving School car. Let’s see… Jerry has had some fantastic young drivers in recent years. Ashley will be fine. She made some great runs. This team has some new crew members who have never worked on a Nitro car, but they will be ready by the Winters.

Steve Federlin was out making laps in his TAD. With Jack O'Bannon money backing up Steve’s horsepower and reaction times, the other TAD racers had better be ready for a gunfight each time they face this team.

Duane Shields was out making passes with his Las Vegas-based team. Shields & Co. made the most laps. This team will be looking to get the big number one in 2004.

TAFC veteran Mert Littlefield and son Brad made a few laps in the family Pontiac Firebird.

Doug Gordon in his dad’s Camaro made the most laps of all the alky cars.

Dennis Taylor made some great runs. He will be looking to win the next final round. Big D has the all the right parts and he is always a threat on the lights.

Jay Payne and wife Shelly will both be driving blown Camaros this year. Shelly debuted her new Pro Mod car and Jay will race a 2004 Camaro F/C.

It was a little cold windy, but a little rain could not stop hard core drag fans who came to get their Nitro Fix!

Phoenix and Houston are the next testing sites. The Pro Stocks will see how much power each team has and who has bragging rights until the first race of the 2004 season. Then it’s on to Tucson for the PRO Testing at Southwestern International.

Here are more pix:

Pro Mod action will again be part of the NHRA show in 2004.

Jack Harris' Nitro Thunder AA/Fuel Dragster was on hand to prepare for the 2004 Goodguys series.

The busines end of a jet funny car.

Ben Watson had his Bonewear Pro Stock machine out representing the normally-aspirated set.

Steven Densham puts out the chutes.

James Drew