(Photos by Wes Allison) – Of course the biggest spectator draws at the March Meet at the heavy duty, heads-up center steer cars like top fuel dragsters, nitro funny cars, and the fuel altered category that has exploded in popularity over the last couple of years. These are the quickest cars on the property as well.

Is it possible we’ll see a funny car record broken in the bottom half of the 5.40s? Is it possible we’ll see the top fuel dragsters flirting with about the same elapsed time area? You never know. Despite Bakersfield’s nostalgic appearance and roots, the racing surface itself is top shelf there and guys really know that they can hit it with a hammer to run the big numbers when they need to.

Here’s a look at Thursday action from the fastest center steer machines on the grounds at Bakersfield, nitro funnies, top fuelers, and fuel altereds. Being that it was a test session, not a lot of full pulls were made but the launches were world class!