 
THOMPSON
WINS 8th ANNUAL NHRR
Lechtenberg
Runner-up
June 18-20,
2010 - Bowling Green, KY: The 8th annual National Hot Rod Reunion is in
the record books and for many reasons, it was an event that will
stand out in the memories of all who attended. The folks from
out West will not forget the relentless heat and brutal humidity...
as bad as 2009. However, the guys from Louisiana and Oklahoma
said "What weather?" Which would suggest it is not
unusual for people from the Southeastern part of the country.
They will also
remember the over 400 race cars that descended upon the historical
Beech Bend track just weeks after a massive flood threatened
to cancel the event altogether. There were hundreds of quality
street and hot rods that packed the areas designated for them
and of course, the huge crowd that packed the facility on Saturday
especially for and a record number of Top Fuel and Cacklefest
cars that put on a great show into the night.
And since this
is WDIFL.com, this is where that great show is shared with all
those who could not make the trek to Beech Bend and for those
who were there but were too overwhelmed to take it all in. Most
of all it is a tribute to the dedicated to the current breed
of front engine top fuel drivers who, if just in engine placement
alone, carry on an honored tradition.
In Nostalgia
Top Fuel, for an unprecedented 6th time in 7 trips to Bowling
Green the High Speed Motorsports team stood in the winners circle.
More astounding is that fact that this years winner, Brad Thompson,
is the third team driver to win this prestigious event. Previously
the title went to drivers Sean Bellemeur and Troy Green.
After qualifying
#1 with a 5.89 at 254 Thompson marched through the field in eliminations
Thompson landed in the winner's circle with a 5.921 at 250.23
win in the final over Roger "Radar" Lechtenberg in
Dale Shur's Iowa based fueler who smoked the tires and pedaled
to a 6.306 at 237.
So without further
ado here is Nostalgia Top fuel from start to finish.
It's hard to
believe that just 6 weeks out, the entire Beech Bend Raceway
Park was under water better suited for drag boats than any kind
of car. Incredibly, and to the credit of many, the facility was
more than ready to host the 8th annual National Hot Rod Reunion.
There was virtually no signs of the massive flood that swept
through the area and in spite of very hot and humid - in a word
oppressive - weather the track was in great shape. Kudos to all
the staff and volunteers who made this happen.
In the heat of
the day, the first qualifying session went off on Friday afternoon.
Crews examined the 130+ degree track hoping to get close on their
initial tune-ups.
The first pair
out was Denver Schutz in the Raisin Express II entry and Brad
Thompson in the High Speed Motorsports "Great White".
Both cars were
tuned on the side of caution and the leaves were clean but a
little soft.
No tire smoke
from either car as Schutz ran a solid 6.006 at 240.77 with Thompson
clicking it early to a 6.209 at just 227.10.
The second pair
out was Roger "Radar" Lechtenberg in the Dale and Kat
Suhr Racing entry and Brendan Murry in his "Running Wild
Racing" Chevy powered car.
Both
cars left and stayed together until Lechtenberg lost traction
and shut off.
Murry, who has
been running better of late, clocked a 6.298 at just 202.77 but
due to the fact that the electronic scales were under water for
a week the car came up light on the scales disallowing the run
and was disallowed.
The Next out
was Howard Haight in the Nitro Diction car out of New York and
Randy Bridges in the Hendricks Motorsports car.
Haight
had a solid leave while Bridges went almost immediately into
a wheelstand.
After a nice
60' time Haight struck the tires and after one pedal job clicked
it to a 6.48 at 219.75. After coming back to earth Bridges coasted
to a 12.31.
The last pair
pitted Troy Green and "Diamond Dave" Miller in the
Telstar fueler. Green didn't have a funny car race this weekend
so he jumped in Frank Ousley's new car out of Morrison, Illinois,
tuned by Dale Emery.
Green
had a wet pipe at the hit while Miller's car was very lazy.
Green was hooked
up pretty good until he became another left lane tire smoke casualty.
Both
cars coasted through with unremarkable times.
The final car
in session one was Keith Burgan in the Horan & Burgan "Rooman"
car. Burgan recently got his TF license and was attempting to
qualify for his first show.
After
a decent leave Burgan clicked it before the 60' mark.
Saturday
Qualifying - Page 2
Sunday
Eliminations & Other Cars - Page 3
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