2021 BAKERSFIELD MARCH MEET IN MAY - EVENT RESULTS
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SUNDAY RESULTS - COTTRELL, HORAN HEADLINE WINNERS
When there's a tradition, regardless of the circumstances, there are diehards who will find a way to make it work. Case in point, the Bakersfield March Meet is a staple of nostalgia drag racing, and for the folks at Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Ca., they were prepared to wait out a pandemic.
Thus, this weekend was the Bakersfield March Meet in May. Some things are worth waiting for.
Taking home top professional honors were Bobby Cottrell (Nostalgia Funny Car), Dan Horan Jr. (Nostalgia Top Fuel), Eric Gates (Fuel Altered), and Jeremy Hangar (Pro Modified).
Cottrell, the defending NHRA Heritage Series AA/FC champion, entered eliminations from the No. 2 qualifying position and stopped Matt Melendez, Kamaka Pocock, Kris Krabill, and Michael Peck Jr.
For his part, Peck entered into eliminations entered eliminations as the eighth quickest qualifier and scored victories over Tony Jurado, Brad Thompson, and Jason Rupert, subbing on the weekend for Jerry Espeseth.
Horan, who lost in the first round of Funny Car, was unstoppable in his AA/FD. He qualified No. 2 in the dragster and scored victories over Frank McBee Jr., Pete Wittenberg, and third-gen fuel racer Tyler Hilton in the final round.
Gates managed to derail the Johnny West freight train, which had run roughshod over the Fuel Altered field in qualifying. Starting from the No. 3 spot, he scored wins over Pete Peterson, James Generaldo Jr., before scoring an easy win as West fouled.
Hanger drove supercharged 1959 Corvette to the Pro Modified title by stopping Josh Kalish, John Durden, and Ed Marx.
A full compliment of sportsman divisions were on hand with Steve Cluck (CA Funny Cars 6.75), James Maher (CA Funny Cars 7.10), Kin Bates (A/Fuel), Dan Enriquez (Jr. Fuel), George Vanderpool (7.0 PRO), Steve Schoenfield (NE-1), Trent Scaduto (NE-2), Ed DeStaute (NE-3), Roy Castagnetto (A/Gas), John Salliani (B/Gas), Bryson Kleeman (C/Gas), Dan Fournier (D/Gas), and Marvin Rules (Hot Rod).
SATURDAY RESULTS
FRIDAY RESULTS - HORAN, WILLIAMSON, WEST PACE FIRST DAY OF BAKERSFIELD MARCH MEET IN MAY
After a two-month pandemic-related delay, the Good Vibrations Bakersfield March Meet thundered to life at Famoso Raceway just outside of Bakersfield, Ca.
Dan Horan Jr., Brett Williamson, and Johnny West all stand atop the leaderboard, with final qualifying runs slated for Saturday.
Horan established his role early in AA/FC qualifying by blasting out a 5.632 elapsed time at 249.40 miles per hour in his 1969 Camaro replica flopper. Defending series champion Bobby Cottrell was right on his heels with a 5.650, 258.12. James Day was third with a 5.654.
Jason Rupert, subbing for Jerry Espeseth, drove his former car to the fifth spot, just behind Matt Bynum.
With one session remaining, Terry Jongwaard anchors the 16-car field with a 6.136.
Williamson holds a comfortable lead atop the Nostalgia Top Fuel field with a 5.737, 235.35. Horan, pulling double duty, is a distant second with a 5.787. Brendan Murray is on the bubble with two sessions remaining.
Former fuel Funny Car racer Johnny West paces the AA/Fuel Altered field with a 6.103, 214.52.
Q1
