Sun, 15 Oct 2000, 02:20 AM Las Vegas - FMDRS Saturday Pit Notes

By Michael L. Jex "Like Being In Heaven."

LAS VEGAS -- Duane Shields and Dale Carlson made it 2 for 2 at the Strip, getting both Straight Line Express Markets dragsters into tomorrows program. Duane qualified 4th, Carlson 8th. Carlson survived several runs on the bump spot, including a tense moment when Brent Ducray had a great run to half track before a burst panel let go. Carlson will race number one qualifier Rick Henkleman in round one while Duane will square off against Steve Federlin. All four of these drivers are claiming points in Division Six this year, with another Division Six driver John Shoemaker on the other side of the ladder. With his qualifying success Carlson pulls ahead of Shields and Brandon Henkleman to the number two spot in the Division Six standings.

"Man, waiting on the bubble was tough!" said Carlson. "We stopped in front of the stands to watch. I just couldn't find it in me to wish good runs for the other drivers, it was a real hot seat with this field."

In a meeting last night NHRA Division Seven officials discussed with racers and car owners going back to 16 car fields in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car in 2001. The teams would not be required to run an extra round, instead there would be only two rounds of qualifying.

Also discussed was having the races on Saturday & Sunday only, with Friday reserved for towing and travel. No official word has been given, but the racers gave favorable comments about the proposed changes.

Rule changes for next year continue to be discussed in the Pits, dominated with comments about Federal Mogul Funny Car. The changes are as follows - Blower overdrive limits will be changed for PSI and Whipple in hopes to give more parity to the class, opening the door for the Roots style blower. The PSI blower will be limited to 92% overdrive, Whipple 36% percent, and the roots will stay the same with 70% maximum. In addition the Maximum cubic inch rule has been changed to 565 cubic inches, allowing IHRA racers with 540 cubic inch motors to compete. The Minimum weight will also increase to 2,200 pounds. IHRA Funny Car Racers with a Roots style blower will now be able to compete in the category without having to make any changes in their setup.

FMD's Bob Perkins has Mike Strasburg to thank for making the program, the Strasburgs loaned the Bluffdale team a complete short block after their brand new JP2 block had big chunk of aluminum pull out the top of the block yesterday.

One surprise was how poorly the A Fuel dragsters fared this weekend. Rick Henkleman was the only A Fuel dragster to make the program, in spite of the nitro burners comprising over half the 19 car field . Steve Faria driving in Jerry Darien's new car ended up in the 9th spot, missing the program by .03 seconds.

Chess Bushey, one of the true innovators and pioneers in A Fuel is here this weekend trying out a new slide valve setup on an unnamed car. Regarding the problems for the nitro burners Chess had this to say: "They haven't adjusted for the altitude. Clutch, Timing, compression, all needed to be changed here. There just isn't that much air."

It's Chess's first visit to the New Strip. To say he liked the place is a understatement. "This is like being in Heaven." said Bushey. "This place is neat, neat, neat. I've not walked in any gravel all weekend." he added. Chess is going to Dallas next weekend to help out on Jerry Bowers A Fuel Dragster.

Finally, motorcycle racer Joe Collette and fiancée Kim Lindsley made the trip to Vegas a memorable one by getting married at The Chapel of Love next to the Stratosphere Casino and Tower. Evidently Elvis was invited to the nuptials, no word if he was able to attend...