Let us take you behind the scenes at the Bakersfield Fuel and Gas Championships. Roger Richards has provided us with this photo gallery. 

PHOTO GALLERY

Ron Capps was trying to
qualify at the Goodguys 8^th annual Fuel and Gas Finals and instead
placed first in the wheelstand contest. He also grazed both Bakersfield retaining walls. The end result
was an uninjured Capps, a wounded race car and one for the highlight reel.

At the hit, Capps experienced
exceptional traction in Jeff Gaynor’s classic Mopar flopper and put the car on
the bumper. The car landed hard (with apparent steering damage) and scraped the
left wall before slowing and eventually crossing over to make contact with the
right. (Photo captured from video)

CRASH VIDEO

THE VIDEO

Don Garlits has experienced some wild rides
in his day but few like the one he took during the Southern Nostalgia Shootout
recently at South Georgia Motorsports Park. “Big Daddy” did a 180-degree spin in
a front engine dragster.

Garlits brought his Swamp Rat VIII recreation to put on
a show for the fans. He made a short blast on Saturday and another on Sunday,
and participated in the Cacklefest on Saturday night. He spent hours talking
with his fans and signing autographs.

Check out our extensive photo gally by Roger Richards.

SEMA PHOTOS 

NHRA and ESPN officials announced late yesterday that next Saturday's qualifying
coverage of the Auto Club NHRAFinals will return to its original timeslot,
starting at 10 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 HD.

"ESPN decided it was best to
provide our fans of the NHRA with primetime coverage of qualifying from
Pomona in the heat of this year'schampionship battle," said Frantz Cayo,
ESPN director of motorsportsprogramming. "Therefore, we are keeping the
telecast at 10 p.m. (ET) on
Saturday."

NHRA officials announced today that next Saturday's qualifying coverage of
the Auto Club NHRA Finals willnow be presented during a two-hour live
telecast, starting at 5 p.m.(ET) on ESPN2 HD.

Did you miss last weekend's Orlando World Street Nationals? We have reposted our extensive PHOTO GALLERY and DAILY NOTEBOOK for your viewing pleasure.

Recently licensed Australian Top
Alcohol Dragster driver Kate Harker will drive Tom Conway's Skull Shine/Torco
Race Fuels A/Fuel Dragster during this weekend's NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag
Racing Series event at "The Strip" at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  Lee Callaway,
who normally drives the car, will reassume driving duties at next weekend's AAA
Auto Club Finals in Pomona, Calif.

Tommy Johnson
Jr., got a present in Las Vegas and it wasn’t a 21 on the blackjack table. It
was a joint effort from his crew.

“I try to get my guys something every
year,” Johnson said. “I do it because I want to say thank you for a great
season. They also give me something.”

ESPN is complementing its
extensive coverage of NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA racing in 2007 with ESPN2
Garage, a new block of programming dedicated to the automotive and
motorsports world.

Debuting Saturday, Jan. 6,
the block will satisfy automotive, motorcycle and motorsports enthusiasts with
19 different shows that feature nearly every facet of the industry – from car
auctions to custom-car programs to an animated series and reality shows. The
programming will be aired on ESPN2 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET on weekdays, from
10 a.m. to noon ET on Saturdays and from 10-11 a.m. ET on Sundays.