40th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals

NOTE: Click on the thumbnails to display the full-size images

FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING - Session #1

With 20 cars in the pits, expectations were high for some qualifying drama among the non full time racers. Of the 20 cars entered, 19 appeared for the first session under warm (80 F), dry (11% humidity) sunny skies. Corrected altitude was just under 3000 ft.

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That's it for Funny Car; Top Fuel is up next

TOP FUEL QUALIFYING - Session #1

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Up next is Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car qualifying

NOSTALGIA NITRO FUNNY CAR - Qualifying Session #1

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PRO MODIFIED QUALIFYING - Session #1

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FUNNY CAR QUALIFYING - Session #2

We're still waiting to receive photos from the first qualifying session, but technical difficulties on the other end (Phoenix) are delaying their arrival. The "bump" spot at the end of that first round of qualifying was a rather tepid 9.487 (Paul Lee), with the three alternates carding times that ranged from 9-seconds to 12-seconds plus. There were a total of eight complete - or mostly complete - runs in the session, with five of them producing 3-second times, led by Bob "Mr. MPH" Tasca with a 3.927 - 326.48 clocking.

(LEFT) After skipping the first session, Bobby Bode made a solo pass in Del Worsham's car. He immediately jumped into the field with a strong 3.931 - 323.25 effort, good for the #2 spot at the start of the session.

(RIGHT) Also running a solo when Terry Haddock's crew weren't able to finish prepping the car in time, was Blake Alexander. It's a familiar look wtth the "Pronto" wrap, but he's part of the Chad Green team now after parting ways with Jim Head in the off-season. He rebounded from a first session 9-second clocking to card a 4.201 - 237.30 on this run after dropping cylinders and losing traction at the 660' mark.

(LEFT) It's musical drivers in the "Nitro Moose" entry of the Winefsky family. With young Dylan still getting acquainted with the car, they put John Hale in the seat at the Las Vegas event in November. At this race, it's Jon Capps at the controls. He laid down a good burnout but the car wouldn't go into reverse, and after much effort by the crew and NHRA officials it was pushed back but too late to run.

(RIGHT) Patiently waiting for the "Moose" to get back to the starting line was Paul Lee. The extra running time didn't hurt at all as he took over the top spot in the field with an excellent 3.919 - 328.14 after a tire smoker in the first go round.

Two views of the Dave Richards car, burning out and launching hard. He had the misfortune of the chutes coming out early in the run but still was able to muster a semi-respectable 4.664 - 216.51 clocking.

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TOP FUEL QUALIFYING - Session #2

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PRO STOCK QUALIFYING - Session #2

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NOSTALGIA NITRO FUNNY CAR - Qualifying Session #2

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PRO MODIFIED - Qualifying Session #2

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TOP FUEL ELIMINATIONS - Round ONE

With only 14 cars entered, and the three lowest qualified cars in the 4- and 5-second zones, there were bound to be some rather lopsided matchups in the first round.

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FUNNY CAR ELIMINATIONS - Round ONE

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PRO STOCK ELIMINATIONS - Round ONE

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PRO MODIFIED ELIMINATIONS - Round ONE

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Here's a few "chute shots" from our intrepid lensman, BIG Bob Snyder at the far end of Firebird raceway yesterday.

(LEFT) Testing out the fairly new combination was Cody Coughlin. He failed to qualify at the Arizona Nationals, but just missed the cut by one hundredth of a second with a solid 6.600 - 207.15 best in qualifying. Cody and crew made several passes in preparation for this week's Winternationals.

(RIGHT) Sophomore Pro Stock racer Brandon Foster was out testing too. He ran an abbreviated schedule in 2024, but the plan is for a full pull this year. He got his season off to a good start by making into eliminations, from the bump spot, with a good 6.590 - 207.40. He followed that up in the first round, leaving on Matt Hartford, but coming up half a car length short at the finish line.

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