(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – So here’s what some may call the main attraction.  Some usual players and some not so usual.  We are familiar with many and those I can speak to the best.  I’m no Brian Lohnes so the facts and names do not easily hold a spot in my permanent memory.  Ringleader Tony McConnel’s Falcon Around has been running the same engine for decades and he’s changing it over to an auto and his daughter will field it in the future.  At this event a friend of ours was rowing the gears and at the end of the track the tie rod broke so he just coasted it off the end of the track.  That could have been bad.

Chris Huls’ Mighty Mouse is still making good smoke and carrying the front wheels past the 60ft.  Bruce Sturdivant’s Tin Man ’64 Chevy II has been sold since these photos were taken and been defanged somewhat to be more ‘street friendly’.  He’s working on a Morris Minor as a replacement.  Mike Johnson’s Kometkaze was turning on win lights and he actually did a couple good burnouts for the camera.  Jim Baker’s Krazy Horse is sporting new graphics and zoomie headers.  It sounds amazing.  Josh Embry’s ’64 Chevelle has also been sold.  It ran in the 5s before he let it go so someone got a real solid piece.  I believe he is now building a Henry J.  Lanny Wead’s Toxic Falcon is good, reliable photo fodder with regular hazing of the tires and at least a foot under the front tires.  Pictured squatting on the track is friend and fellow ace photog Mark Portman.  Not sure if he has gas or is trying to focus.  Maybe both.

Joey Bridges’ pale yellow Falcon is a regular runner and current points leader for 2017.  Joey is the other ringmaster for this unruly band of gearheads.  Next we have the handyman wagon of Morris Wheatley and it continues to make quick passes, seemingly with little fuss or trouble.  Only providing one photo of Tony McConnel’s TN Taxi Anglia running basically a stock 300-six doing a big wheelie on launch and another on the 1-2.  It is surprising and actually a treat to watch.  Dwight McGuire’s Steel Lady Nash is likely the oldest survivor in the group and it goes back to early 60s.  It’s not quick, but Dwight pushes it hard to put on a show.

Chuck Dever is out and about with his Chevy-six-powered Renault and this thing is super cool.  It’s a 292ci wearing dual Holley 660s and has ran a best of 7.61 in the eighth.  I dig these because you can’t really tell if they are coming or going and are so small they seem could fit in the bed of a pickup.  Lastly we have Anthony Fleener’s ’52 Chevy just doing its thing and looking cool as it does.

The rest of the characters coming up next…