The latest update as of April 10, 2022

Tucson Dragway Reunion

The annual Tucson Dragway Reunion ran last night on a cool evening in southern Arizona. Despite the late cancellation of the advertised United Nitro Funny Cars, the track was able to put together a decent program with four genuine nitro burning AA/Fuel Altereds, a pair of Western Fuel Altereds, a pair of Jet Dragsters, a Wheelstander, and a special surprise guest appearance by Del Worsham in the Worsham Racing "Big Show" fuel funny car. Our regular correspondent, Big Bob Snyder was on hand to capture the action for this special report.

NOTE: We'll fill in the details later. For now, enjoy the photos.

A trio of "Speed Sport" cars, with a recreation of the original Speed Sport Roadster of the late 1950's-early 1960's in the foreground, the Nostalgia Funny Car version that currently runs in the NHRA Heritage Series and other events, and in the background, what might be the original Speed Sport car.

Before the racing started, a pair of 2022 inductees to the Arizona Drag Racing Hall of Fame were honoured in a starting line presentation, with Tucson Dragway track manager, Matt DeYoung on the left in both photos, and (LEFT photo), Jim Broome (owner of the Speed Sport cars), and (RIGHT photo), Tony Huggins.

Before the AA/Fuel Altereds came out, a pair of Western Fuel Altered racers (running blown alcohol combinations) opened the action. (LEFT) Pat Neal in the Dave Sharp-owned car laid down a solid burnout, before facing (RIGHT) Sheldon Lofgreen (near lane) in his unique twin-turbo Hemi-powered car of Aart Nolte. In the far lane was Pat Neal.

The next pair out of the lanes were a pair of full-on blown, nitro-burning hemi-powered cars, with (LEFT) Johnny West in his familiar "Plan 'A'" entry (far lane) facing Kevin Knowles (near lane) in the Steve Neese & Kevin Knowles Topolino (?).

As can clearly be seen in this photo, Kevin Knowles took the "long route" to the finish line, sashaying all over the lane with the tires spinning until he lifted.

(LEFT) it's James Day, the guy who will drive almost anything with four wheels, in the "SheepHerder" at the end of his burnout.

(RIGHT) Here, James Day Day is in the near lane, while Dylan Winefsky in his family's "Nitro Moose" '32 Bantam is in the far lane.

(LEFT) Here's a closer look at the Nitro Moose as it leaves hard.

(RIGHT) After the Fuel Altereds made their first runs, the "Little Red Fire Truck" Dodge pickup bodied wheelstander of Mike Mantel put on a show. With a blown alky 392-hemi for power, the truck has plenty of power to entertain the spectators.

Burning out in the left photo, and launching hard with the flames up high, is Del Worsham in the Worsham Racing Funny Car. Sporting "Auto Parts 4 Less" livery, the team brought it out to put down at least one test run before it heads overseas to its new owners. Not wanting to ship it before knowing it was ready to run well, Del found out it was ready to rock on the first pass. Word is that the car is bound for Australia, to join the ever-growing Funny Car team of Aussie speed equipment kingpin and former NHRA Funny Car racer, Graeme Cowin.

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