Battle of the Oil Co's creates little friction, just new friends! And it was girls night "out" in first round of racing.

"Thursday Night...Under the Lights" at Irwindale. Erica Nocita was back in her "happy place" as she and Team Dalcorp went out to do a little testing to make sure all was well with the BG Oil Chevelle. Rob at Foothill Transmission did a little overhaulin' on the Turbo 350 and, as usual, everything checked out just fine. And since we were there, why not run "King of the Hill" for a few bucks and braggin' rights. During the practice runs Erica met a fellow Chevelle owner/racer by the name of Ronnie De Hoop. A few match races later they had become best of friends and were having a blast pitting the two Chevelles against each other. What made it even more fun was that Ronnie's primary sponsor is the "L" word....Lucas Oil. You see where this is going. Some great photo op's and a lot of tire smoke later, it was all smiles at the stripe.

Then it was on to "King of the Hill" where Erica was matched up with the one and only, Pete "Wild Man" Gallup for first round. Just ahead of her was Eileen Pandeles in her 65 Chevelle, the other half of the girl's team. As the tree came down Eileen launched the blown SS but the light's weren't good to her as she went red and out of competition first round. Then it was Erica and "Wild Man." Pete made a great run nearly running on his number and had an excellent reaction time. Erica's car fell off a few hundredths and combined with a less than good light....well, guys 2, girls 0. But a good time was had by all! Well be back out on March 4th so if you're out at the track stop by and say hi.


It's good to be back....

John and Eileen Pandeles have a sweet new rig.

Will they still talk to us little people?

Erica was all smiles before her first check out

run and going to her "happy place."

"Wild Man", Pete Gallup and Eileen Pandeles

ready for a little match race action.

No doubt about it..."The Fastest Grandma

at Irwindale!"

New friend and fellow Chevelle racer, Ronnie

De Hoop.

...beautiful car.

It was "Battle of the Oil Co's" as Erica and Ronnie

put on a good show.

Do you think this guy likes his job? He was all

smiles all night!

We told Erica to put a little heat in the tires....

Enough said.

Every drag racer's favorite view....second only

to a win light!

Dan Althouse setting up the ladder for "King of

the Hill."

John Pandeles and Hugo Casals. Nice hat, Hugo.

Erica hookin' up with some old friends.

"Johnny B." came out to watch Erica. Since The

Winternationals he's been hooked on drag racing.

Pete putting on first round numbers.

....ready to "Rock n' Roll!"

Heading up for first round...

Gracious in victory or defeat, "Wild Man"

giving Erica HIS victory hug.

"It's all good!"

The Winternationals 50th Anniversary. It Felt Like Summer!

The 50th anniversary of the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona could have been called "The Summer Nationals." Thousands of fans enjoyed temperatures in the 80's over the four days of racing at one America's most famous tracks. Near perfect conditions gave competitors and spectators alike conditions that you can only wish for (especially if you're from the midwest or east coast!) And, if that wasn't enough, one of the largest gatherings of nostalgia cars from the 60's and 70's made the event even more special. If you've ever had any interest in drag racing you had to be there for this once in a lifetime experience. Besides the great racing, the sports founding fathers and mothers were there to celebrate the 50 years of this historic event. We hope the pictures below give you a taste of what went on over the four days and what a special time it was. Enjoy!

"Fast Jack" Beckman giving a talk to some of the

VIP's in their hospitality area. He's not only a

great driver and drag racing instructor, but one

of the nicest people on the planet!

Erica with brother AJ and new drag racing fan,

"Johnny B."

He's hooked!

Melanie Troxel in "the kitchen" mixin' up a little

nitro cocktail for her next run in the In-in-Out

T/F Funny Car.

Ashley Force Hood ready for action.

One of the most famous cars of all time, "The

Winged Express" was in the nostalgia pits with

it's late, great pilot still in the seat..."Wild Willie"

Borsch.

Another one of the all time greats, the "King Kong"

Anglia of the Kohler Bros.

"Big John" Ladouceur had this piece of history

in the nostalgia pits. Completely original, it

looks like it had just pulled off the track at the

old Irwindale Raceway.

Another old guard favorite, The Chizler, driven

by "The Golden Greek" Chris Karamesines. The

car had just been completely restored by Bob

Hansen and looked awesome.

"The Greek" standing behind his granddaughter,

Krista, for the fire up in the nostalgia pits.

Bob Hanson, (second from the left) watching the

Chizler come to life.

"It's all good!"

Another famous car from the 60's, "The Wynn's

Spoiler" which is owned and was driven by Bob

Hansen back in the day.

"Big Daddy" Don Garlits with "Swamp Rat 5."

The car driven by one of the first ladies of drag

racing, the "Drag On Lady", Shirley Shahan.

Shirley looks like she could get right back in the

car and start spankin' the boys all over again!

"The Grump", Bill Jenkins.

Dan Pisano (r) making some final adjustments.

"Mr. Excitement", the professor, Warren Johnson.

....it doesn't get any better than this....

Erica with her new drag racing fans, Andrew and

"Johnny B."

First round wasn't a good one for Morgan Lucas.

Not a happy camper...

"Cory Mac" with a first round winner's interview

by ESPN.

How'd you like to pick up a time slip like this one?

Check out the left lane.

Buster (r) and his son Phil making sure all is

good down at time slips. Thanks Buster for a

great weekend!

Robert Hight and Del Worsham sharing a moment...

Long time Dalcorp friend Johnny Walker making

sure everything is secure. Nice job, John.

Joe Amato looking on....

"The Greek"

"TV Tommy Ivo"

"Big Daddy" in Swamp Rat 5

"The General" in the Force camp, Austin Coil.

Ashley was taken out by her dad earlier in the

day but was at the starting line to cheer him on.

Larry Morgan's new Pro Stock Mustang ran as

good as it looked.

Yeah, Allen Johnson's Dodge has a HEMI in it!

Mike Boyd getting ready to make an exhibition

run in "The Winged Express."

....Nostalgia Funny Car....

Before the finals it was "Cacklefest" time. Bob

Hansen in "The Wynn's Spoiler."

Buster enjoying the show....

....and a good time was had by all....even by Pro

Stock runner up Greg Anderson.