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Available Events:1999 NHRA NORTHWEST DIVISION SCHEDULE
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Friday May 7 - Saturday May 8 - Sunday May 9 - Monday May 10 - BONUS Foto Page Mission FMDRS complete round-by-round and qualifying session results are here Go here for LIVE Coverage http://www.nhraonline.com/fedmog/1999/div6/Mission5-9.html Hey Kids check out the NEW Junior Dragster Contest Page. HURRY, first correct set of answers win a professionally edited video of your Junior car at the nest race! "SUBJECT TO LAST MINUTE CHANGES DUE TO WEATHER!" Saturday: 8:00 p.m. Federal Mogul Funny Car Final Qualifying 9:30 p.m. Secure Track
Sunday: TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION THREE-DAY EVENT PASS -- $45. CHILDREN -- Children 15 and under free when accompanied by an adult.
NORTHWEST DIVISION NOTEBOOK · Bucky Austin is the CEO of his own corporation, which employs 186 people, consists of three entities: BAR Real Estate, BAR Distribution, and 15 Buckyıs Muffler, Brake and Radiator service centers. Bucky Austin won four NHRA national events last season and began this yearıs quest for a championship by winning the NHRAıs season opening AutoZone Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. His nephew Pat won the Federal-Mogul All-stars event three times in a row, 1987-89, in his Top Alcohol Funny Car.
What can anyone say going into this one. With more 12 Federal-Mogul Dragsters and 17 Federal-Mogul Funny Cars pre-entered it could well become the greatest FMDRS ever seen...anywhere. Ad to the mix the unprecedented appearance of NHRA Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Compton and one begins to see the importance of this event.
Once again Lordco Auto Parts has come on board to sponsor this one, along with support from Cousins Transport in the form of a truck-full of cash for any FMD or FMFC National Record set here this weekend. The track itself is in good condition, but with few races so far in 1999 could be difficult in the early going once the big horsepower cars make the transition. Of great interest will be the first Mission showing for a nitro-injected Federal-Mogul Dragster. The headliner (featured in newspaper ads) is Melanie Troxel who wheels the lightening-quick In-N-Out Burger car. She, along with defending Div. 6 champ Dale Carlson go in as heavy favorites. Rumors of one or two other 'major' nitro cars showing at the last minute are still just that, rumors. In Federal-Mogul Funny Car it could be very exciting indeed. Bucky Austin will be tough as will Pat, but they will have to deal with some up-and-coming locals and at least one big Div. 7 runner, namely Pete Swayne. If Les Davenport is still in Swayne's pit the car that ran so well at Pomona and Phoenix could run well here. Despite the fact the driver has never been here, it's a horsepower track and few make more of that than Davenport. Speaking of power how can you count out Pat Austin. On a good track they are as dominating as ever and love MRP. Bucky on the other hand can sneak up on his competition. So many times we have seen him not make a full pass at MRP, only to come right back with a winning pass. The consistent Roger Bateman is always tough as the '98 Div. champ is part of possibly the most underrated 'marginal surface' team around. If the track is not quite there watch for them to go rounds. Others to watch include Dan McGlone who showed big horsepower at Boise and if Russ Parker and John Hyland get it together they too could be around late Sunday. Local racer Mike Giuliani will have a big cheering section here and he could well put some big smiles on their faces, but it will be a major upset if he wins against this level of competition. The other classes here are so wide open it's impossible to pick. Top Comp could be huge here IF...if the Alberta guys show up...if the local door cars come out...and if many of the Boise entries travel here. We will be missing three of our most die-hard regulars. The final Waldo is getting ready to graduate from college on Saturday so Jim, Gary and Eric will miss Mission. They are, however, rain dancing as they want to come back on a non-commencement weekend If you are within range make sure you are here, especially Saturday when the big guns run twice, once at night. If you cannot, please come back each night (late) for regular updates and photos. And if you have any requests on how a friend or relative is doing just send me email and I will hunt them down and post a report. LP 1998 EVENT WINNERS May 1-3 Federal-Mogul Dragster Federal-Mogul Funny Car Competition Super Stock Stock Super Comp Super Gas Super Street Pro Sportsman Motorcycle Super Pro Pro DALE CARLSON AND CREW CHIEF SHARE SPECIAL BOND MISSION, British Columbia Dale Carlson feels he has an edge over other racers. Itıs his crew chief Mike Johnson. Carlson and Johnson have formed a common bond over the years, not just as friends but as family. Johnson is also Carlsonıs brother-in-law who gave him the opportunity to get involved in drag racing several years ago. The bond they have has allowed them to develop a sense of understanding of one another that has brought their team success. The 44-year-old Carlson will be competing in the Lordco Auto Parts NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series B.C. Nationals, May 7-9, at Mission Raceway. The race is the second of six events in the NHRAıs Northwest Division. "I focus on being consistent in everything I do," said Carlson. "I get instructions from Mike, like what RPM to leave at and my shift points. Drivers canıt go out and drive (the car) different all the time because everything will work different. Itıs hard to tune a car if you donıt have consistency." Carlson believes that with the team he has, which has been together for seven years, they will make a serious run at repeating last years performance: a Federal-Mogul Dragster divisional championship and a top-five finish nationally in points. The Giant Bicycles/Rainier Federal-Mogul Dragster was runner-up at the NHRAıs national events in Pomona, Calif., and Phoenix, while making it to the semifinals in Houston. "Weıre on the right track," said Carlson. "This team gets along real well. Mike and I have a good understanding of who does what and what is expected. We analyze and try to learn from every run." Carlson and his team are excited to be heading to Mission Raceway to continue the defense of their divisional title. "Mission (Raceway) is our favorite track," said Carlson. "Itıs not just because the track there is so smooth and awesome, the people there are so nice and treat us great. We would run every race there if we could. " The Olympia, Wash., driver thinks his team and their Federal-Mogul Dragster will perform well, regardless of the circumstances north of the border. "Mike can adjust the tune-up for any condition," said Carlson. "I expect to be the number one qualifier at the event and the winner." MELANIE TROXEL LEARNING THE IN-N-OUTS OF DRAG RACING MISSION, British Columbia -- Melanie Troxel likes her chances in her new Federal-Mogul Dragster. After driving four different Federal-Mogul Dragsters last season, Troxel believes she has found a keeper. The Littleton, Colo., resident has decided to run with an A-fuel (no supercharger) combination full time rather than compete for a Federal-Mogul championship in a blown dragster, which uses a supercharger. She prefers making her passes without the supercharger. The 26-year-old driver will be competing in the Lordco Auto Parts NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series B.C. Nationals, May 7-9, at Mission Raceway. The race is the second of six events in the NHRAıs Northwest Division. Troxel will be behind the wheel of the In-N-Out Federal-Mogul Dragster this year, driving for crew chief and team owner Jerry Darien. The transition to an A-fuel powered dragster has been a difficult one so far. "We struggled in Pomona (Calif.) which is the hometown of In-N-Out and that was disappointing," Troxel said. "We had engine problems in Phoenix and found some parts that were made wrong. Now that we have everything fixed weıre real excited to get started. Weıve had a lot of luck in (the Pacific Division). " Troxel was fortunate enough to grow up around drag racing and is able to apply the knowledge and experiences of her youth to her current profession. When Troxel was just 16 years old, her father, Mike, won the 1988 Winston Top Alcohol Dragster championship. "I spent my childhood at the race track," said the younger Troxel. "My parents are the biggest influence in my racing career. They were able to make opportunities available to me and contribute anything they could whenever possible." Drag racing isnıt the only profession Troxel is looking to succeed in. After eight years of working in the tool manufacturing business, Troxel decided to branch off and start her own company this past December. She now owns her own automotive tool manufacturing company. The tools are specifically designed for the race industry, which is perfect for Troxel. "Along with racing, I have a chance to show other teams my new products," said Troxel. "It helps me that I am able to take time off and have flexibility with my schedule. I have been able to connect my hobby with my job." BUCKY AUSTIN EXCITED ABOUT CANADIAN TRACK MISSION, British Columbia Bucky Austin has been around long enough to know a great track when he sees one, and he thinks itıs hard to beat the quarter-mile at Mission Raceway. Austin placed second in the race toward the NHRA Federal-Mogul Funny Car Northwest Division championship last season, and, by his own recollection, has won more than 200 races in a career that spans more than 20 years. He has seen his share of tracks. "We love Mission (Raceway)," said Austin. "Itıs the quickest track on the West Coast. The air there is dynamite and the track was so well thought-out. They have a state-of-the-art facility with a laser-paved track and your practically at sea level. You canıt find a better place to race your car. We should have a helluva race there. This is a guys dream come true." The 49-year-old driver from Fife, Wash., will be competing at the Lordco Auto Parts NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series B.C. Nationals, May 7-9, at Mission Raceway. The race is the second of six events in the NHRAıs Northwest Division. Austin says there is more to his success than just knowing a track. A team has to have a competitive driver in a well-prepared car that can consistently maximize its horsepower. He also admits that it doesnıt hurt to be well funded and be fortunate enough to have a good crew with you either. "My philosophy is that if you win three-out-of-10 times your successful," Austin said. "I have won the division five times and have a 70 percent winning percentage. Thatıs pretty good." Austin has focused his run at a NHRA Federal-Mogul Funny Car championship. "In 1992 we finished second behind Pat and I only ran in half the races," said Austin. "Last year we finished third and we only ran in one-third the races youıre allowed to. This year for the first time Iıll be at all the races Iım allowed to (compete in) to see if I can win the world championship." The NHRA Northwest Division is extremely competitive in the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category. Despite this, Austin has been a consistent winner in a tough category, but he is aware of the quality of the opposition he faces at every event. "There are four or five national caliber type cars in this division alone," said Austin. "You have John Hyland and Roger Bateman. Theyıre both real tough. You also have my nephew, Pat. Heıs the driver I fear the most." Austinıs feelings of anxiety are usually overcome by excitement upon arriving at the track. "There is nothing like the feeling I get when I drive into the pits at a drag race," said Austin. "When that feeling stops, Iıll stop racing. The other thing that keeps me going are the competitive people in the sport. Theyıll knock you down and beat you up, but then theyıll help you up too. Itıs great. The high in this sport is so high, and the low is so low that it just hooks you." There is always one goal for every competitor in the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Just win. "In other sports they take your picture for coming in second," said Austin. "In drag racing you have to win to get your picture taken. Being the runner-up just sucks."
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