Journeyman Funny Car driver Phil Burkart, Jr. hopped into the cockpit of Nick Boninfante's "U.S.
Male" nostalgia nitro Funny Car at a test session Thursday afternoon at Maple Grove (Pa.) Dragway
and after an early shut-off check out pass he cranked out the quickest and fastest run the car has
ever made, a 4.843 at 243.99 mph.
Crew Chief, Nicky Boninfante, Jr., who tunes the Kalitta Motorsports DHL Funny Car on the NHRA Full
Throttle circuit, was ecstatic about the results and predicts that the car will run a lot quicker
and faster at the car's first public appearance this year at the 34th Annual "Night Of Thrills"
next Saturday night at Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.
"I've got to thank Lex Dudas and the staff of Maple Grove Dragway for letting us test the day
before the NHRA Division 1 points race," Boninfante said. "The track was prepared excellent and
even though the track temperature was 125 degrees on the first run and 109 on the second run we had
all the bite we needed."
Burkart was equally excited about the results. When asked how he liked the experience he had a
one-word answer..."Cool."
"It was a blast," Burkart continued. "I've got a whole lot of respect for the guys who drove these
cars back in the day. Because the engine in these cars sits so high you have to drive them by
looking around the big blower that's in your line of vision and it's a very challenging ride. I
just can't wait to do it again at Englishtown."
