Last year at this race, Roger Bateman and the Friesen Motorsports Top Alcohol Funny Car team had to
endure numerous rain delays and a tornado warning on Saturday to finish in the runner up position
to TAFC Kingpin Frank Manzo. This year provided a totally different set of weather conditions, as
bright sunny skies greeted the team for three of the four days. The team was representing the
National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) West Central Division in the special race-within-a-race for
the sportsman drivers called the JEG'S Allstars. The specialty race held on the Saturday of the
12th Annual United Associates NHRA Route 66 Nationals holds special meaning to both drivers as they
win money form JEG'S Mail Order and bragging rights, as the seven geographical divisions compete
for an overall championship and the prestige of the win.
Roger and the crew were treated to a special appreciation dinner on Friday of the event where the
crew received goodie bags and other free items from the JEG'S company. Saturday, after driver
introductions Roger and crew squared off with Beaver Falls, PA racer Bobby Martin. "We owed him
one", Roger commented referring to the fact that Martin beat him in the first round of eliminations
at Pomona, CA last November. "We are better than we looked last fall". Roger took the green and
handled the Pennsylvanian handily 5.615/ 256.45 to 5.805/ 244.92 for the win. "Now that is more
like it", car owner Dr. Brian Friesen exclaimed as Roger took the win. "This feels great!"
The semi finals pitted Roger against Mark Billington of Norcross, GA. Roger handled the South East
racer with a 5.614/252.66 to 5.733/ 250.37 win. "We have to run good to get lane choice for the
final" Dr. Friesen remarked. The final saw the little Canadian team run against the grand champion
of the class, Frank Manzo of Morganville, NJ. "He will be tough (as he usually is)", car chief
Todd Murray proclaimed. "He is not untouchable and we will give it everything we got!" With the
sun setting and the track cooling, Bateman and crew staged against the multi time champion and
100-event winner, hoping to get the jump off the line. Unfortunately, the clock struck twelve for
Bateman as Manzo drove away from Batman 5.556/ 260.41 to Roger's 5.636/ 252.76 to take the win.
"We are a bit bummed about losing the all-stars but tomorrow is race day and anything can happen"
Dr. Friesen said.
On a similar note Roger ran the fastest elapsed time of his career Friday afternoon at 5.566/
256.31 to qualify fourth for the national event and held lane choice for Sunday's eliminations.
Sunday morning was rainy and windy, delaying the first round of eliminations for alcohol until
early afternoon. Bateman and crew would face Billington once again in first round. "We have a
great deal of respect for Roger and (crew chief) Kenny (Murray)" Billington was quoted. "They can
run hard!" Once again the two squared off but this time Mark took the win as Roger's racecar broke
the front right hand steering arm and could not make the run. "Sucky" was one of the words used
and "exasperating" was another used by the crew to describe the loss. Now the team will pack up
and get ready for Thunder on the Mountain, presented by Grease Monkey. A Lucas Oil Drag Racing
Series divisional race held at Bandimere, CO June 19th to 21st.
