In the first rounds of qualifying at Bandimere Speedway’s Grease Monkey
Thunder on the Mountain event, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag
Racing Series, Top Alcohol Dragster driver Richard Putz of Earlville,
Iowa, and Top Alcohol Funny Car pilot Roger Bateman, Winnipeg, Man.,
took the No. 1 qualifying positions in their classes.
Putz laid down a 5.610-second, 253.66 mph pass to take the top spot.
The No. 2 qualifier, Jim Whiteley from Grand Junction, Colo., was just
a couple of ticks behind with a 5.636-second, 257.28 mph run. Reigning
division champion Ed Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., is in the No. 3 spot
and Denver’s own Eugene Tumbarello is fourth.
Bateman set the pace in Top Alcohol Funny Car with a 5.912-second,
244.43 mph lap. Racing veteran Vern Moats of Des Moines, Iowa, is in
the No. 2 slot with a 5.967-second run at 244.56 mph. Firestone
resident Paul Anderson is in the No. 4 spot and Conifer’s Robert
Kanenwisher is No. 6.