Post by sportf on Aug 30, 2021 18:20:47 GMT
Cordova World Series of Drag Racing
Race Wrap Up
Thirty six race cars showed up for the Victory Points race in Cordova, Illinois on the weekend of August 27-28. It was hot, and it stayed pretty darn hot all week end long with the exception of when the sun went down. And that made for some some good bench racing Friday night.
Friday night we also had one of our famous banquets that fed everybody and lots left over for seconds, thirds, and lunch on Saturday. Thanks for the anonymous victory racer that donated this pulled pork dinner for racers and support team.
New 2021 Champion
Big news here is that John Hamer is our new 2021 Champion coming out on top of all other racers this year. Right next to John as runner up was Shaun Johnston, whom also was runner up in 2017. Both these racers ended their season in round three when both were taken out by other racers, and nobody else could catch them at that point, even if they won this race.
Race Winner
Along with that news, Kurt TeValut takes his red wagon and wins this race in a tight round with Greg Deaton whom also runnered up at this race last year.
I bet Greg will try again next year. (I bet we ALL will).
Qualifying
Three Friday qualifying hits allowed us racers to get at least somewhat close to the index. But the one shot at qualifying Saturday kinda threw a lot of us off the mark, when the cooler morning with more humidity, our declared index well off the mark from the previous evening.
Coming out on top of qualifying was Bob Lantero when he went dead on with a 1 and he got the $100 number one qualify money all of us were shooting for.
With a couple of breakages, we started the race with 33 cars in the lanes ready to go. Jason Berens 8 ¾ rear let go after a really nice launch. It looks like some tranny fluid was finding the track as well and that was it for him.
On to the race details
First pair was this writer and Rick Ingram in his purple dart. I had a much better light than Rick and half way down the track that probably was noticeable to him, but not much he could do after that.
Second in points, Shaun Johnston took on David Fuzner in his red T Bolt. This was a pretty important round for Shaun and he got the win when David went red.
Next Bob Westhoff took on Rosie Kossuth in her 64 Dodge. Although Rosie had a much better light than Bob, she was on an absolutely screaming pass and even though she dropped 20 mph, she managed to break out even more than Bob, and both broke out a lot! That's racing.
Jay Freihage then took on Jim Kroeger in a 135+ mph duel, that Jay took the win on. Jay was on a 9.75 pass and although Jim was dialed 10.0, when he “red bulbed”, he ran it out to a 9.89 pass. Jim has some new power in there and boy does it show when he launches.
Next, Rosies husband, Clay took on Mike Doss in his “Headache” Plymouth. In another double break out Clay comes out on top. This Saturday air was funny as it felt like rather poor air, but with a good weather station, it showed a different story. Hence a lot of breakouts here, big breakouts.
Bob Haberberger then took on Bill Schlee in an all Plymouth battle. Bill had a killer light and in this Saturday air, was on a killer pass, but he broke out against Bob who ran a 13.006 on his 13.0 dial. At today's point, in time I know how many more rounds Bob is going to go, and I kinda wish he'd lost here as his last name is hard for me to type. But I will do it a couple more times down page.
Next, points leader John Hamer takes on Tim Frees. Both had conservative lights (that means a long ways from perfect) but that makes a race. And, in a very tight round, John comes out on top. Now, get this, John runs a 10.500, and Tim runs a 10.501. Tim, try to do better next time.
Next Derek Strait runs “Large Marge” against (borrowed car) “Bad Influence” driven by Dennis Spurgeon. Although Dennis has this killer light, he is also on a real killer run and breaks out by a ton over break out “Large Marge”. By the way, I don't see a '65 Dodge Coronet as large, but that is not where the name came from anyway.
Next pair, Mike Goggin runs his white Dodge against long time Victory Racer, BJ Bax. BJ has this killer light, but has trouble down track and can't make the number. Mike coasts to victory.
Kevin Czajkowski runs Donnie Gains next and Donnie gets there first, but that doesn't mean victory. In this case, it meant breakout, and Kevin gets his car ready for next round.
Dalton 'Mouseproof'' Bruemmer next runs, close friend, high flying Jim Hagenhoff. Jim leaves a little early and that is that for Jim. They both run it out, and both run well under the respective index. Mouseproof goes on.
Race winner Kurt TeVault, runs Brad Wentland next. Kurts better light allows him to force Brad into a breakout and Brads blue Mopar is done for the day.
Next, Curt Hoeff, in his Comet runs Marty Pope in his (new to him) A990 Dodge. Marty has the engine die after the burnout and it wasn't ready to start after that, and that was that. We hope there isn't to much to that problem, and yes, its a real A990. (that is a factory hemi race car, for those not Mopar savvy)
Kevin Miller then runs local racer Dan Beale. Kevin has a pretty darn good light and Dan, well, not so much. Dan shows up and sometimes runs 3 cars at the same event, and that may have given him trouble here as the red bulb came on. Kevin will go on to a money round.
Next Greg Deaton takes on Scott Bourrell. Scott is hard driving his “Color me Gone” Dodge with a 4 speed and if you haven't seen one of Scott's 4 speed cars run, its a treat. Both of these racers have conservative lights (in this case, it means they suck). But Greg's light has less vacuum and he takes the win.
Last pair down the track is Dick Monaco and his '64 Ford against Jeff Blickensderfer. Thank goodness Jeff got a slightly red light and he doesn't go on and I don't have trouble typing his name again. Dick gets his car ready for next round.
Last car down is the bye run for number one qualifier Bob Lantero. Bob kills the tree here and runs .07 under the dial. He moves on, and with some of the rest of us, gets ready for next round.
Round 2
Greg Deaton lines up with Dick Monaco. Well we know Greg is runner up so Dick has to go out here. Dick turns on the red device and his day is done.
Next Kevin Czajkowski takes out Mike Goggin in his white 64 Dodge, when Mike stopped for lunch at the full stage position. Kevin moves on.
I line up against second in points, Shaun Johnston. I make every mistake in the book at the starting line, including turning on the red bulb. Looking back I don't think I did anything right. Shaun wastes a .009 light on me and goes to the third round.
Bob Haberberger, is lined up against Rosies husband, Clay, in a good friend on friend race. Clay makes another killer pass to break out and kill himself right here. Bob goes on to the third round.
Killer Kevin Miller takes on number one qualifier Bob Lantero this round. Kevin has a pretty darn, good light (that is not new, is it) and allows him to break out less than Bob, in this “both too fast” round and Kevin goes on.
Bob Westhoff takes on Large Marge and finally puts Derek Strait's win streak to a stop. Bob had the advantage on the tree when Derek was caught with his eyes off the tree. Derek had to break out trying to keep ahead of Bob. That didn't work out, and Bob, once again, moves on.
John Hamer puts a tree on Mouseproof Bruemmer, and Mouseproof has to break out trying to keep ahead of John. We know that usually doesn't work out and John moves on.
Kurt TeValt wins the race, so in this round he has to take out Jay Freihage. Kurt puts a great light on top of Jay, and Jay breaks out trying to win. But, that is all Jay can do when the lights come down and Jay becomes a spectator like a bunch of us do.
Next Curt Hoeff in his Comet take a bye run to move on to the third round.
Round 3
All of these rounds are in the dark of night, lit up by the track lights, and the great World Series of Drag racing crowd. A great spectacle for sure.
Curt Hoeff lines his Comet up against, yet unknown, Champion John Hamer. Curt takes John out with a little better light and keeps John out of the money round. Both break out here. At this point John's championship is NOT locked in, and some of us are wondering what is going to happen with Shaun Johnston.
Greg Deaton takes on Kevin Czajkowski with a killer .006 light. Kevin breaks out as he comes screaming in on Greg, at the top end, only to see the win light come on in Greg's lane. Kevin gets no money as Greg moves on.
Kevin Miller then lines up against Shaun Johnston. Leanna Hagenhoff is watching this one closely. Both these racers have equally conservative lights and try to spot each other at the top end. Both run slow, but Kevin takes the stripe, for the win. Leanna quickly does some math and comes out with an equation that says Hamer is Champ, Shaun is runner up, and the rest of the racers have to wait for the race to finish their spot in the final points tally.
Next Kurt TeValt puts a .012 light on Bob Haberberger and I don't have to type Bob's last name anymore. Both run really really close to their dial, but the race started and finished at the stage beams and we know Kurt moves on.
Lastly, Bob Westhoff gets a bye to the money round.
Round 4
Bob Westhoff is having a pretty good day at this point as he takes on Curt Hoeff in a Ford on Mercury battle. Bob's day continues to get better, as Curt's doesn't. Both have pretty equal lights, both break out in a big way. But Curt's breakout shows to be better and faster than Bob's, and here is a case where better is not as good as a worst. Curt gets round money, but not as much as Bob.
Greg Deaton takes on Kevin Miller and finally puts and end to Kevin's win streak. Greg's .011 light is too much for Kevin to overcome along with Greg's dead on run and Kevin gets round money, but not as much as Greg will.
Lastly, Kurt TeVault gets a bye into the semi round.
Semi Finals
Kurt TeValt takes on Bob Westhoff this round, and we know Bob has to loose somewhere if Kurt is to win this race. Bob cuts a close red bulb where as Kurt cuts a perfect, and I mean perfect light and that is the way this round goes for Bob.
Lastly, Greg Deaton gets the bye into the finals. Note there are a lot of bye runs in a 33 car ladder, and that is the way it goes.
Finals, round 6
Well, we know Kurt takes out Greg Deaton here, to make Greg runner up at this race two years in a row.
Both have reasonably equal lights this night, and Greg keeps his foot in it all the way to the end trying to keep ahead of Kurt. But, Kurt's slightly better light makes Greg Break out and that is this race finished this beautiful night.
The end of a great day
Back at the pits in the cool of the evening, everyone's “damp from sweat” shirts, are now finally cooling them, as we take pictures for the memories.
Champ, John Hamer is pretty happy, but maybe not as happy as wife Beth, and boy, is that cool to witness. Phone calls were made to John's family, and cheer was spread across the country from here. This is an honor, and it was just great for all of us Victory family members to be there.
Shaun Johnston had one heck of a year, as well as coming second in the series. This also is an astounding task, as Victory racers are some of the best NSS racers around.
Next, race winner Kurt TeVault and runner up Greg Deaton's pictures were taken and the end to a great season of Victory points racing comes to an end.
That is always a little sad, but only tempered by the fact we will still come together again at Indy and next season as well.
Great Racing for 2021 Victory. NSS. For we are (say it loud) “Victory NSS!!!!!”
Race Wrap Up
Thirty six race cars showed up for the Victory Points race in Cordova, Illinois on the weekend of August 27-28. It was hot, and it stayed pretty darn hot all week end long with the exception of when the sun went down. And that made for some some good bench racing Friday night.
Friday night we also had one of our famous banquets that fed everybody and lots left over for seconds, thirds, and lunch on Saturday. Thanks for the anonymous victory racer that donated this pulled pork dinner for racers and support team.
New 2021 Champion
Big news here is that John Hamer is our new 2021 Champion coming out on top of all other racers this year. Right next to John as runner up was Shaun Johnston, whom also was runner up in 2017. Both these racers ended their season in round three when both were taken out by other racers, and nobody else could catch them at that point, even if they won this race.
Race Winner
Along with that news, Kurt TeValut takes his red wagon and wins this race in a tight round with Greg Deaton whom also runnered up at this race last year.
I bet Greg will try again next year. (I bet we ALL will).
Qualifying
Three Friday qualifying hits allowed us racers to get at least somewhat close to the index. But the one shot at qualifying Saturday kinda threw a lot of us off the mark, when the cooler morning with more humidity, our declared index well off the mark from the previous evening.
Coming out on top of qualifying was Bob Lantero when he went dead on with a 1 and he got the $100 number one qualify money all of us were shooting for.
With a couple of breakages, we started the race with 33 cars in the lanes ready to go. Jason Berens 8 ¾ rear let go after a really nice launch. It looks like some tranny fluid was finding the track as well and that was it for him.
On to the race details
First pair was this writer and Rick Ingram in his purple dart. I had a much better light than Rick and half way down the track that probably was noticeable to him, but not much he could do after that.
Second in points, Shaun Johnston took on David Fuzner in his red T Bolt. This was a pretty important round for Shaun and he got the win when David went red.
Next Bob Westhoff took on Rosie Kossuth in her 64 Dodge. Although Rosie had a much better light than Bob, she was on an absolutely screaming pass and even though she dropped 20 mph, she managed to break out even more than Bob, and both broke out a lot! That's racing.
Jay Freihage then took on Jim Kroeger in a 135+ mph duel, that Jay took the win on. Jay was on a 9.75 pass and although Jim was dialed 10.0, when he “red bulbed”, he ran it out to a 9.89 pass. Jim has some new power in there and boy does it show when he launches.
Next, Rosies husband, Clay took on Mike Doss in his “Headache” Plymouth. In another double break out Clay comes out on top. This Saturday air was funny as it felt like rather poor air, but with a good weather station, it showed a different story. Hence a lot of breakouts here, big breakouts.
Bob Haberberger then took on Bill Schlee in an all Plymouth battle. Bill had a killer light and in this Saturday air, was on a killer pass, but he broke out against Bob who ran a 13.006 on his 13.0 dial. At today's point, in time I know how many more rounds Bob is going to go, and I kinda wish he'd lost here as his last name is hard for me to type. But I will do it a couple more times down page.
Next, points leader John Hamer takes on Tim Frees. Both had conservative lights (that means a long ways from perfect) but that makes a race. And, in a very tight round, John comes out on top. Now, get this, John runs a 10.500, and Tim runs a 10.501. Tim, try to do better next time.
Next Derek Strait runs “Large Marge” against (borrowed car) “Bad Influence” driven by Dennis Spurgeon. Although Dennis has this killer light, he is also on a real killer run and breaks out by a ton over break out “Large Marge”. By the way, I don't see a '65 Dodge Coronet as large, but that is not where the name came from anyway.
Next pair, Mike Goggin runs his white Dodge against long time Victory Racer, BJ Bax. BJ has this killer light, but has trouble down track and can't make the number. Mike coasts to victory.
Kevin Czajkowski runs Donnie Gains next and Donnie gets there first, but that doesn't mean victory. In this case, it meant breakout, and Kevin gets his car ready for next round.
Dalton 'Mouseproof'' Bruemmer next runs, close friend, high flying Jim Hagenhoff. Jim leaves a little early and that is that for Jim. They both run it out, and both run well under the respective index. Mouseproof goes on.
Race winner Kurt TeVault, runs Brad Wentland next. Kurts better light allows him to force Brad into a breakout and Brads blue Mopar is done for the day.
Next, Curt Hoeff, in his Comet runs Marty Pope in his (new to him) A990 Dodge. Marty has the engine die after the burnout and it wasn't ready to start after that, and that was that. We hope there isn't to much to that problem, and yes, its a real A990. (that is a factory hemi race car, for those not Mopar savvy)
Kevin Miller then runs local racer Dan Beale. Kevin has a pretty darn good light and Dan, well, not so much. Dan shows up and sometimes runs 3 cars at the same event, and that may have given him trouble here as the red bulb came on. Kevin will go on to a money round.
Next Greg Deaton takes on Scott Bourrell. Scott is hard driving his “Color me Gone” Dodge with a 4 speed and if you haven't seen one of Scott's 4 speed cars run, its a treat. Both of these racers have conservative lights (in this case, it means they suck). But Greg's light has less vacuum and he takes the win.
Last pair down the track is Dick Monaco and his '64 Ford against Jeff Blickensderfer. Thank goodness Jeff got a slightly red light and he doesn't go on and I don't have trouble typing his name again. Dick gets his car ready for next round.
Last car down is the bye run for number one qualifier Bob Lantero. Bob kills the tree here and runs .07 under the dial. He moves on, and with some of the rest of us, gets ready for next round.
Round 2
Greg Deaton lines up with Dick Monaco. Well we know Greg is runner up so Dick has to go out here. Dick turns on the red device and his day is done.
Next Kevin Czajkowski takes out Mike Goggin in his white 64 Dodge, when Mike stopped for lunch at the full stage position. Kevin moves on.
I line up against second in points, Shaun Johnston. I make every mistake in the book at the starting line, including turning on the red bulb. Looking back I don't think I did anything right. Shaun wastes a .009 light on me and goes to the third round.
Bob Haberberger, is lined up against Rosies husband, Clay, in a good friend on friend race. Clay makes another killer pass to break out and kill himself right here. Bob goes on to the third round.
Killer Kevin Miller takes on number one qualifier Bob Lantero this round. Kevin has a pretty darn, good light (that is not new, is it) and allows him to break out less than Bob, in this “both too fast” round and Kevin goes on.
Bob Westhoff takes on Large Marge and finally puts Derek Strait's win streak to a stop. Bob had the advantage on the tree when Derek was caught with his eyes off the tree. Derek had to break out trying to keep ahead of Bob. That didn't work out, and Bob, once again, moves on.
John Hamer puts a tree on Mouseproof Bruemmer, and Mouseproof has to break out trying to keep ahead of John. We know that usually doesn't work out and John moves on.
Kurt TeValt wins the race, so in this round he has to take out Jay Freihage. Kurt puts a great light on top of Jay, and Jay breaks out trying to win. But, that is all Jay can do when the lights come down and Jay becomes a spectator like a bunch of us do.
Next Curt Hoeff in his Comet take a bye run to move on to the third round.
Round 3
All of these rounds are in the dark of night, lit up by the track lights, and the great World Series of Drag racing crowd. A great spectacle for sure.
Curt Hoeff lines his Comet up against, yet unknown, Champion John Hamer. Curt takes John out with a little better light and keeps John out of the money round. Both break out here. At this point John's championship is NOT locked in, and some of us are wondering what is going to happen with Shaun Johnston.
Greg Deaton takes on Kevin Czajkowski with a killer .006 light. Kevin breaks out as he comes screaming in on Greg, at the top end, only to see the win light come on in Greg's lane. Kevin gets no money as Greg moves on.
Kevin Miller then lines up against Shaun Johnston. Leanna Hagenhoff is watching this one closely. Both these racers have equally conservative lights and try to spot each other at the top end. Both run slow, but Kevin takes the stripe, for the win. Leanna quickly does some math and comes out with an equation that says Hamer is Champ, Shaun is runner up, and the rest of the racers have to wait for the race to finish their spot in the final points tally.
Next Kurt TeValt puts a .012 light on Bob Haberberger and I don't have to type Bob's last name anymore. Both run really really close to their dial, but the race started and finished at the stage beams and we know Kurt moves on.
Lastly, Bob Westhoff gets a bye to the money round.
Round 4
Bob Westhoff is having a pretty good day at this point as he takes on Curt Hoeff in a Ford on Mercury battle. Bob's day continues to get better, as Curt's doesn't. Both have pretty equal lights, both break out in a big way. But Curt's breakout shows to be better and faster than Bob's, and here is a case where better is not as good as a worst. Curt gets round money, but not as much as Bob.
Greg Deaton takes on Kevin Miller and finally puts and end to Kevin's win streak. Greg's .011 light is too much for Kevin to overcome along with Greg's dead on run and Kevin gets round money, but not as much as Greg will.
Lastly, Kurt TeVault gets a bye into the semi round.
Semi Finals
Kurt TeValt takes on Bob Westhoff this round, and we know Bob has to loose somewhere if Kurt is to win this race. Bob cuts a close red bulb where as Kurt cuts a perfect, and I mean perfect light and that is the way this round goes for Bob.
Lastly, Greg Deaton gets the bye into the finals. Note there are a lot of bye runs in a 33 car ladder, and that is the way it goes.
Finals, round 6
Well, we know Kurt takes out Greg Deaton here, to make Greg runner up at this race two years in a row.
Both have reasonably equal lights this night, and Greg keeps his foot in it all the way to the end trying to keep ahead of Kurt. But, Kurt's slightly better light makes Greg Break out and that is this race finished this beautiful night.
The end of a great day
Back at the pits in the cool of the evening, everyone's “damp from sweat” shirts, are now finally cooling them, as we take pictures for the memories.
Champ, John Hamer is pretty happy, but maybe not as happy as wife Beth, and boy, is that cool to witness. Phone calls were made to John's family, and cheer was spread across the country from here. This is an honor, and it was just great for all of us Victory family members to be there.
Shaun Johnston had one heck of a year, as well as coming second in the series. This also is an astounding task, as Victory racers are some of the best NSS racers around.
Next, race winner Kurt TeVault and runner up Greg Deaton's pictures were taken and the end to a great season of Victory points racing comes to an end.
That is always a little sad, but only tempered by the fact we will still come together again at Indy and next season as well.
Great Racing for 2021 Victory. NSS. For we are (say it loud) “Victory NSS!!!!!”