Top Fuel driver Terry Haddock's return to Pacific Raceways, and the NHRA Northwest Nationals, was
not the homecoming the Seattle resident had envisioned. This weekend marked the first time Haddock
has been able to attend his hometown event in three years.
"For the past three years I've missed this race because I was chasing the IHRA Funny Car
Championship," Haddock said. "After finally winning it last year, I was excited to come back and
race at my home track this year. So many people came by the pit and told me they were rooting for
me, it was pretty cool."
Haddock was also excited about the support from Spokane based NITROCAT Pneumatic Tools for this
race.
"You have a Washington based company supporting a Seattle based driver and racing in Kent
[Washington]," Haddock said. "It can't get much better than that for someone from the Northwest."
Haddock qualified in the 11th position with a stellar 4.011 e.t. at 297.16 mph. Haddock's NITROCAT
dragster added to the excitement of the qualifying run when it lost a body panel as the car crossed
the finish line.
"It felt like someone turned on the air conditioning in the car," Haddock said. "The panel was junk
and we had to have a new one made at the track.
Fortunately local race car builder Randy Parker was available to help us out. He and the crew
worked until 3:30 this morning so I could race today.
That is the cool thing about drag racing, how people will come and help you when you need it."
Haddock faced off against J.R. Todd in today's opening round of eliminations. The NITROCAT dragster
put up a game effort but fell just short of the victory when it popped the supercharger just before
the finish line.
Haddock's resulting e.t. was a 4.115 at only 280.54 mph to Todd's quicker 3.964.
"I'm proud to have at least given J.R. a race," Haddock said. "We had equipment problems every time
we went down the track, and the first round was no exception. We are just at that point in the
season when our equipment is worn out. Without a major sponsor we have to race on a really tight
budget, which means pushing parts to their absolute limit. That is what really bit us this weekend.
"I'll just have to find a way to get some replacement parts so we can continue to try and get in
the top 10. When I get better parts I'll be able to avoid most of the problems we had this weekend.
The only other option is to quit, and this is something I'll never do."
