Kyrene Corridor crew chief helping to power NHRA race weekend

By Dee Myers

Since 1951, the National Hot Rod Association has provided a safe and entertaining way for fans from all over the world to view and compete in the organized  sport of  POWERade Championship Drag Racing.

As the largest sanctioning body in motorsports, NHRA returns to Firebird International Raceway this weekend for its 20^th annual Checker Shucks Kragen Nationals, the second event in a 23-race schedule.

With the fastest accelerating vehicles on the planet (in a quarter mile), Firebird plays host to the legends of today and the superstars of tomorrow, with names like Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, John Force, Bob Glidden, Greg Anderson and many more.    

Representing our community and state in what is known as the top fuel class is Kyrene Corridor resident Johnny West, crew chief for the Henkelman and Baca top fuel dragster.

With 6,000-plus horsepower to contend with, West is in charge of getting the car set up so when owner/driver David Baca straps into the cockpit, everything else goes like clockwork.

From a standing start, the Baca American Racing top fueler is capable of running a number like a 4.49-second elapsed time at just over 326 mph in the quarter mile. Blink your eyes and the race is about over.

Many sportsman racers from all over the Valley will be competing in various classes that the NHRA offers, including Phoenix racer Dean Carter. Carter is the current defending competition eliminator champion with his Eaton Racing Engines Nostalgia Dragster. He covers the strip in a little over seven seconds--not too bad for a little Chevy-powered dragster.

Whether you’re a fan of muscle cars, show cars, race cars or your own modest roadster, you should try to make it out  to this weekend’s display. You’ll learn why these racers pride themselves and put in grueling hours to bring such pageantry and amazing feats of speed and performance to battle for a cash purse and the coveted trophy they call “The Wally”.

A final note: Most sanctioned NHRA racers do it as a passion and a way of life; they observe all the rules and guidelines set forth by NHRA for the purpose of  making it a safe sport. In no way should they or the term “drag racing” be used to identify the irresponsible act of illegal street racing.

For more information go to www.nhra.com or contact Firebird International Raceway at (602) 268-0200.

Kyrene Corridor racing enthusiast Dee Myers is Wrangler News’ NHRA correspondent.

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