FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March Meet Shines Golden on 50th

Jack Harris wins Top Fuel, sets record; Bucky Austin takes Funny Car as crowds pack Auto Club Famoso for 3-day event

anniversary. As always, the March Meet made Bakersfield shine.”

Racing always shines brightest at the Meet and 500 nostalgia racers made the trip to compete in the momentous event. At Sunday’s finals “Sheriff” Jack Harris, of Kaysville, Utah, rocked the crowd as he piloted his dragster to a 5.568 at 263 mph for the fastest run ever in a front-engine Top Fuel car. He followed it up by beating Brad Thompson, of Vasalia, Calif., in the Top Fuel final. Harris claimed his third March Meet title with a 6.064 run at 239.36 mph.

Fireworks and a WWII fighter-plane fly-by sent cheers through the stands as well as in the sold-out camping area. Throw in picture-perfect weather and it was no surprise the March Meet drew an estimated 35,000-plus fans to Auto Club Famoso Raceway.

Tragically, the March Meet was saddened by the death of Sacramento veteran Top Fuel driver John Shoemaker. The 65-year old racer crashed during Saturday’s competition and was airlifted to the Kern Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife Judee and son Jim.

“Our hearts go out to John’s family and racing community,” said Bowser. “It’s a terrible loss.” Shoemaker, and the 50^th March Meet, will live on in the memories of all who attended.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Summary of eliminations at the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, 50th Annual March Meet (courtesy of Drag Race Central.com). Timing data courtesy of CompuLink:

Nostalgia Top Fuel:

Round 1:

Jason Richey, Sacramento CA, Allen-Donovan, Right lane, (0.093) 5.843
249.72 def. Pete Kaiser, Merced CA, Stirling-Donovan, (0.179)10.798 71.71

Brad Thompson, Visalia CA, Uyehara-Donovan, Left lane, (0.165) 5.764 253.73 def. Bill Dunlap, Capitola CA, Uyehara-Chevy, NT-Broke Before Staging

Troy Green, Purcell OK, Stirling-Donovan, Left lane, (0.097) 5.808 257.65 def. Jim Murphy, Santa Rosa CA, Stirling-Rodeck, (-0.500)NT-Broke Before Staging

Jack Harris, Kaysville UT, N&P-Donovan, Left lane, (0.091) 5.793 248.96 def. Rick McGee, Exeter CA, Tedford-Donovan, (0.100) 6.114 240.25

Rick White, San Diego CA, Hansen-Rodeck, Left lane, (0.128) 5.902 243.70 def. Rick Rogers, Santa Magarita CA, Tuttle-Donovan, (0.055) DQ-Centerline

Mike McLennan, Oakley CA, URC-Chrysler, Left lane, (0.143) 6.143 214.23 def. Rick Williamson, Stockton CA, Davison-Chrysler, (0.067) 7.831 135.68

Denver Schutz, Fresno CA, Stirling-Rodeck, Left lane, (0.117) 5.750 258.54 def. Adam Sorokin, Los Angeles CA, Uyehara-Donovan, (0.072) 6.005 244.03

Shannon Stuart, Riverside CA, Stirling-Donovan, Right lane, (0.071) 5.969 223.65 def. Howard Haight, Brownsburg IN, Stirling-Hemi, (0.088) 15.720 50.76

Round 2:

R White, Right lane, (0.140) 5.825 243.24 def. J Richey, (0.116) 5.978 248.75

B Thompson, Left lane, (0.080) 5.742 257.21 def. S Stuart, (0.146) 8.611 98.57

J Harris, Left lane, (0.129) 5.568 263.62 def. M McLennan, (-0.500) NT-Broke Before Staging

D Schutz, Left lane, (0.091) 5.775 258.69 def. T Green, (0.133) 5.954 213.42

Round 3:

J Harris, Left lane, (0.120) 5.578 249.51 def. D Schutz, (0.002) 6.780 172.44

B Thompson, Left lane, (0.076) 5.692 240.25 def. R White, (0.075) 5.926 245.49

Round 4:

J Harris, Left lane, (0.106) 6.064 239.36 def. B Thompson, (0.045) 13.303 61.79

Low ET:  Jack Harris 5.568 seconds

Top Speed: Jack Harris 263.62 MPH

Nostalgia Funny Car:

Round 1:

Stephen Romanazzi, Visalia CA, '77 Firebird, Right lane, (0.149) 6.186 237.09 def. Lee Paul Jennings Jr, Pomona CA, '72 Challenger, (0.135) 11.807 76.96

Mike Savage, Tucson AZ, '70 Barracuda, Right lane, (0.126) 6.043 236.28 def. Jeff Utterback, Santa Monica CA, '73 Vega, (0.161) 8.913 89.33

Bucky Austin, Fife WA, '77 Arrow, Left lane, (0.162) 5.908 243.24 def. Bob Godfrey, Moreno Valley CA, '69 Camaro, (0.142) 6.218 233.52

Dennis La Charite, Rolling Hills Estates CA, '69 GTO, Left lane, (0.106)6.567 164.26 def. Mendy Fry, Aliso Viejo CA, '72 Charger, (0.150) 12.564 61.91

Round 2:

S Romanazzi, Right lane, (0.124) 6.049 232.97 def. M Savage, (0.195)6.039 233.82

B Austin, Left lane, (0.175) 5.892 241.87 def. D La Charite, (0.144)6.129 210.08

Round 3:

B Austin, Left lane, (0.157) 5.836 243.63 def. S Romanazzi, (0.142) 6.576 199.24

Low ET:  Bucky Austin 5.833 seconds

Top Speed: Bucky Austin 243.63 MPH

Nostalgia Funny Car:

Round 1:

Michael Grekul, Edmonton AB, '69 Mustang, Left lane, (0.403) 6.037 229.12 def. Jim Holtz, Acton CA, '79 Satellite, (0.133) 6.342 219.56

Chris Krabill, Orange CA, '78 Arrow, Right lane, (0.092) 6.204 233.40 def. Terry Capp, Edmonton AB, '77 Firebird, (0.160) 6.156 232.61

Leah Pruett, Redlands CA, '69 Mustang, Right lane, (0.208) 6.163 233.58 def. Sean Dale, Glendale AZ, '69 Charger, (0.183) 6.776 235.10

Randy Baker, Waukee IA, '70 Maverick, Right lane, (0.148) 6.430 215.41 def. Dan Horan Jr, Sylmar CA, '66 Mustang, (0.177) 10.313 81.11

Round 2:

C Krabill, Left lane, (0.088) 6.113 236.84 def. L Pruett, (0.142) 6.183 232.67

M Grekul, Left lane, (0.000) Took the green light.def. R Baker, NT-Broke Before Staging

Round 3:

C Krabill, Left lane, (0.130) 6.093 237.65 def. M Grekul, (0.146) 6.971 235.04

Low ET:  Michael Grekul 6.037 seconds

Top Speed: Chris Krabill 237.65 MPH

A FUEL

Round 1:

Bill Wayne, Bullhead City AZ, URC-AJPE, Left lane, (0.222) 6.575 218.49 def. Ted Groocock, Chula Vista CA, Stirling-Chrysler, (0.181) 6.725 205.57

Kin Bates, Anderson CA, Tuttle-Chrysler, Left lane, (0.166) 6.251 219.67 def. Jeremy Sullivan, Riverside CA, Stirling-Chevy, (0.100) 6.635 206.84

Darrell Waters, Bonsall CA, Comstock-BAE, Left lane, (0.113) 6.529 216.45 def. Jerry Kumre Jr, Ruhernert Park CA, Manana Boy-Chev, (0.026) 7.168 188.99

Gary Eickmann, Turner OR, Eickmann, Right lane, (0.061) 6.627 215.10 def. Claude Lavoie, Sherwood Park AB, Dragster-Hemi, (0.052)6.641 211.26

Round 2:

D Waters, Right lane, (0.073) 6.306 218.81 def. G Eickmann, (0.101) 6.632 212.16

K Bates, Left lane, (0.117) 6.362 223.32 def. B Wayne, (0.096) 13.260 59.68

Round 3:

K Bates, Left lane, (0.106) 7.388 128.00 def. D Waters, (-0.192 foul)23.042 29.90

Low ET:  Kin Bates 6.251 seconds

Top Speed: Kin Bates 224.83 MPH

AA/Gas Supercharged:

Round 1:

Mike Leonard, Plesanton CA, '69 Chevy, Right lane, (0.089) 6.663 208.09 def. John Peterson, Homewood CA, '70 Plymouth, (0.066) 6.964 199.07

Chris Abbey, Clovis CA, '63 Vette, Left lane, (0.138) 6.578 211.01 def. Ron Nahas, Reno NV, '41 Willys, (0.064) 6.948 196.93

Steve Woods, Danville CA, '63 Corvette, Right lane, (0.096) 7.250 145.91 def. Cecil Matthews, Redwood Valley CA, '67 Mustang, (0.229) 8.207 170.51

Rich Roberts, Atwater CA, '34 Willys, Left lane, (0.060) 6.728 203.06 def. Howard Anderson, Auburn CA, '38 Chevy, (0.034) 7.566 143.83

Round 2:

S Woods, Right lane, (0.061) 6.659 207.51 def. C Abbey, (0.136) 6.673 208.86

M Leonard, Left lane, (0.121) 6.692 207.08 def. R Roberts, (0.069) 6.748 207.66

Round 3:

S Woods, Right lane, (0.092) 7.780 124.41 def. M Leonard, (-0.306 foul) 10.050 72.29

Low ET:  Chris Abbey 6.578 seconds

Top Speed: Chris Abbey 211.01 MPH

Junior Fuel A:

Round 1:

on Haire, Napa CA, Uyehara-Chev, Right lane, (0.035) 6.993 190.59 def. Wayne Ramay, Simi Valley CA, JP Mtrsprt-Chevy, (0.079) 6.973 190.71

J.D. Zink, Chico CA, Uyehara-Chevy, Left lane, (0.113) 6.923 183.74 def. Brian Darcy, Newburgh NY, N&P-Chevy, (0.045) 8.253 92.18

Scott Parks, Burlingame KS, Neil&Parks-Chevy, Right lane, (0.072) 6.870 193.88 def. Mike Chrisman, Lake Forest CA, Dragmaster-Chevy, (0.065) 6.962 193.05

Round 2:

J Zink, Right lane, (0.065) 6.940 191.04 def. J Haire, (0.036) 6.973 191.53

J Parks, Left lane, (0.093) 6.841 194.59 was unopposed

Round 3:

S Parks, Left lane, (0.072) 6.869 193.50 def. J Zink, (0.069) 6.943 189.23

Low ET:  Scott Parks 6.841 seconds

Top Speed: Scott Parks 194.97 MPH

Junior Fuel B:

Round 1:

Don Enriquez, Misson Viejo CA, Fritz-Chevy, Right lane, (0.141) 7.227 184.23 def. Mike Craig, Campbell CA, Stirling-Chevy, NT-No Show

John Rasmussen, Littleton CO, Dragster-Hemi, Left lane, (0.244) 7.110 187.18 def. Bob Lander, Sebastopol CA, Dragster-Chevy, (-0.227 foul) 12.861 61.50

Fred Notkza, Ventura CA, Dragster-Chev, Right lane, (0.188) 7.170 187.14 def. Rich Fenton, Hayward CA, N&P-Chevy, (0.051) 7.372 175.78

Bud Hammer, Oxnard CA, Tuttle-Chevy, Right lane, (0.075) 7.163 187.57 def. Mark McCormick, Escondido CA, N&P-Chevy, (0.013) 7.343 180.86

Round 2:

D Enriquez, Left lane, (0.082) 7.206 185.14 def. F Notkza, (0.475) 15.351 56.07

B Hammer, Right lane, (0.038) 7.068 188.48 def. J Rasmussen, (0.075) 7.074 187.53

Round 3:

D Enriquez, Left lane, (0.042) 7.237 184.61 def. B Hammer, (0.056) 17.765 32.80

Low ET:  Bud Hammer 7.068 seconds

Top Speed: Bud Hammer 189.07 MPH

A GAS ELIMINATOR:

Round 1:

AJ Schwichtenberg, Homer AK, '63 Vette, Right lane, (0.107) 7.634 7.634, def. Andy Hiemstra, Northridge CA, '57 Chevy, (-0.358 foul)8.267 8.267

Dean Lindsey, Santa Paula CA, '67 Nova, Right lane, (0.081) 7.702 7.702, def. Bret Pichler, Cameron Park CA, '69 Camaro, (0.006)8.034 8.034

Mike Ford, Bakersfield CA, '57 Chevy, Right lane, (0.029) 7.633 7.633, def. Tom Schiffilea, San Gabriel CA, '40 Willys, (0.055)8.387 8.387

Ken Ratzloff, Idaho Falls ID, '53 Studebaker, Right lane, (0.075) 7.637 7.637, def. Frank Merenda, Raso Robles CA, '65 Chev, (0.046)7.935 7.935

Scott Loomis, Ojai CA, '53 Studebaker, Right lane, (0.049) 7.616 0.016, def. Augustine Herrera, Montebello CA, '67 Camaro, (0.072)7.701 0.101

Dave Matson, Nevada City CA, '67 Camaro, Left lane, (0.042) 7.565 -0.035, def. Ray Martin, Anchorage AL, '63 Vette, (-0.212 foul)7.719 0.119

David Warren, Surrey BC, '62 Belair, Left lane, (0.223) 7.822 7.822, def. Steve Castelli, Windsor CA, '41 Willys, (-0.107 foul)14.607 14.607

Ken Moore, Northridge CA, '69 Camaro, Left lane, (0.040) 8.123 0.523, def. Rob Patten, Tracy CA, '63 Vette, (0.082) 8.173 0.573

Round 2:

K Moore, Left lane, (0.022) 7.942 7.942, def. A Schwichtenberg, (0.084)7.936 7.936

D Lindsey, Left lane, (0.036) 7.611 0.011, def. M Ford, (0.024) 7.580 -0.020

S Loomis, Right lane, (0.031) 7.647 0.047, def. D Matson, (0.041) 7.582 -0.018

K Ratzloff, Right lane, (0.049) 7.678 0.078, def. D Warren, (0.075) 7.783 0.183

Round 3:

S Loomis, Right lane, (0.043) 7.634 0.034, def. K Moore, NT-No Show

K Ratzloff, Left lane, (0.114) 7.595 -0.005, def. D Lindsey, (0.153) 7.575 -0.025

Round 4:

K Ratzloff, Left lane, (0.027) 7.601 0.001, def. S Loomis, (0.020) 7.632 0.032

B Gas:

Round 1:

Ray Padgett, Santa Paula CA, '68 Camaro, Left lane, (0.032) 8.596 -0.004, def. Eric Bush, Ojai CA, '69 Camaro, (0.032) 8.572 -0.028

Leonard Perry, Strathmore CA, '70 Mustang, Right lane, (0.051) 8.563 -0.037, def. Kenny Moorhead, Fairfield CA, '41 Willys, (0.008)8.546 -0.054

Monti Fitzgerald, Rancho Cordoba CA, '67 Chevy, Left lane, (0.124) 8.559 -0.041, def. George Madden, Livermore CA, '66 Nova, (-0.013 foul) 8.580 -0.020

Kevin Riley, Santa Clara CA, '67 Dodge, Left lane, (0.035) 8.569 -0.031, def. Rafael Quiroga, Santa Ynez CA, '67 Camaro, (0.085)8.462 -0.138

Jerry Wold, Buena Park CA, '68 Chevy, Left lane, (0.078) 8.602 0.002, def. Casey Treur, Santa Maria CA, '33 Willys, (0.755) 8.909 0.309

Ed Elliot, Bakersfield CA, '56 Chevy, Left lane, (0.050) 8.658 0.058, def. Randy Armstrong, San Ramon CA, '57 Chevy, (0.046) 8.583-0.017

Doug Hampton, Salinas CA, '66 Fairlane, Right lane, (0.020) 8.729 0.129, def. Bones Balogh, Long Beach CA, '69 Camaro, (0.173) 8.653 0.053

Jess Tyree, Canyon Lake CA, '63 Pontiac, Left lane, (0.096) 8.432 -0.168, def. Adrian Cobb, Visalia CA, '70 Ford, (-0.024 foul)8.576 -0.024

Round 2:

E Elliot, Right lane, (0.197) 8.646 0.046, def. J Tyree, (0.019) 8.471 -0.129

L Perry, Left lane, (0.044) 8.584 8.584, def. D Hampton, (0.029) 8.562 8.562

R Padgett, Right lane, (0.042) 8.793 0.193, def. J Wold, (0.090) 8.834 0.234

M Fitzgerald, Right lane, (0.014) 8.591 8.591, def. K Riley, (0.044)8.579 8.579

Round 3:

M Fitzgerald, Right lane, (0.013) 8.609 0.009, def. L Perry, (0.051)8.613 0.013

E Elliot, Left lane, (0.037) 8.980 0.380, def. R Padgett, (0.013) 9.534 0.934

Round 4:

M Fitzgerald, Right lane, (0.010) 8.662 0.062, def. E Elliot, (0.070) 8.634 0.034

C Gas:

Round 2:

Scott Hudson, Yorba Linda CA, '66 Nova, Right lane, (0.005) 9.651 0.051, def. Mike Mangano, Gustine CA, '63 Chevy, (0.055) 9.606 0.006

Jim Stewart, Santa Paula CA, '67 Chevy, Left lane, (0.012) 9.620 0.020, def. Tom Cwayna, Van Nuys CA, '63 Tempest, (0.090) 9.515-0.085

Mike Wortman, Santa Paula CA, '69 Mercury, Left lane, (0.038) 9.518-0.082, def. Mark Capps, Medera CA, '67 Ford, (-0.007 foul)9.513 -0.087

Mike O'Neal, Reedly CA, '66 Nova, Left lane, (0.109) 9.619 0.019, def. Clay Bentson, Hollister CA, '48 Thames, (0.046) 9.556 -0.044

Richard Wilson, Azusa CA, '35 Airflow, Left lane, (0.048) 9.459 -0.141, def. Bill Welch, Ojai CA, '57 Vette, (0.089) 9.414 -0.186

John Contreras, San Franciso CA, '65 Olds, Left lane, (0.079) 9.632 0.032, def. Pat Walker, Bakersfield CA, '70 Camaro, (0.111)9.621 0.021

Doug Araiza, Santa Paula CA, '69 Camaro, Left lane, (0.120) 10.104 0.504, def. Al White, Azusa CA, '65 GTO, (0.080) 10.202 0.602

Andrea Whiteside, Woodlake CA, '69 Camaro, Left lane, (0.040) 9.622 0.022, def. Bill Creech, Rocklin CA, '71 Dodge, NT-No Show

Round 3:

J Stewart, Right lane, (0.018) 9.644 0.044, def. A Whiteside, (0.031)9.634 0.034

M Wortman, Right lane, (0.014) 9.628 0.028, def. D Araiza, (0.009) 9.658 0.058

S Hudson, Right lane, (0.009) 9.601 0.001, def. R Wilson, (0.057) 9.569 -0.031

J Contreras, Left lane, (0.044) 9.615 0.015, def. M O'Neal, (0.072) 9.674 0.074

Round 4:

S Hudson, Left lane, (0.012) 11.273 1.673, def. J Stewart, (-0.006 foul)9.598 -0.002

M Wortman, Right lane, (0.017) 9.605 0.005, def. J Contreras, (0.063)9.549 -0.051

Round 5:

M Wortman, Left lane, (0.039) 9.641 9.641, def. S Hudson, (0.040) 9.655 9.655

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