Saturday at the Strip in Las Vegas. Krawiec wins MG rain delayed bike title.Great weather and great air as the cars are flying in Vegas |

Photos by Phil Hutchison. Story by Phil Hutchison and courtesy of NHRA Communications

Defending NHRA Lucas Top Alcohol Dragster World champ Duane Shields will not be part of the starting lineup at the 12th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals at the Strip in Las Vegas. Shields last attempt, a 5.586, was not even close to the near record setting bump in Top Alcohol Dragster.

In a class dominated by injected fuel dragsters, Jim Whiteley has found a way to win with his blown combination. Whiteley has nearly a half a tenth on the field going into final eliminations

Former Lucas champ Jim Whiteley leads the quick field in his blown dragster with a 5.266. Saturday night’s finals qualifying session was unbelievable with cars getting in and getting bumped out before the drivers picked up their time slips.

Mark Taliaferro (near lane) is #13 going into Sunday’s show while Randy Meyer (far lane) is #8 with a 5.37

Outside the field is NED racer Jackie Fricke after her 5.462 put her in the field on her last pass, but was bumped out when Randy Meyer ran a 5.375 two pairs later.

Driver and Hometown E.T. Speed

1	Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO,	5.266	272.83
2	Garrett Bateman, Albany OR, Hadman-BAE	5.297	262.18
3	John Finke, Selkirk NY, Monden-Chrysler	5.320	258.76
4	Sidnei Frigo, Ft. Lauderdale FL, McKinney	5.351	263.92
5	Megan McKernan, Sierra Madre CA, McKinny	5.354	264.80
6	Todd Odom, Dallas TX, Monden-BAE	5.363	260.81
7	Aaron Olivarez, Sandy UT, Spitzer-TFX	5.367	268.87
8	Randy Meyer, Spring Hill KS, Meyer-BAE	5.375	256.26
9	Greg Hunter, Sheridan WY, Hadman-BAE	5.384	267.80
10	Ray Martin, Anchorage AK, Hadman-BAE	5.384	265.53
11	Joey Severance, Woodburn OR, Hadman-MBR	5.386	263.98
12	Cody Perkins, Bluffdale UT, Perkins-APS	5.393	263.72
13	Mark Taliaferro, Odessa TX, Monden-CRE	5.399	263.20
14	Don St. Arnaud, Edmonton AB, Hadman-BAE	5.437	266.06
15	Chase Copeland, Gainesville TX, Monden-	5.446	266.48
16	Johnny Ahten, Santa Clarita CA, Uyehara	5.453	240.51
	—- Not Qualified ————
17	Jackie Fricke, Flemington NJ, McKinney-	5.462	245.67
18	Duane Shields, Boulder City NV, Hadman-	5.466	255

New York racer Tony Bartone is the #1 qualifier in Top Alcohol Dragster

Alcohol Funny Car qualifying did not have the drama of the dragsters but the field is as solid as you could want with NY racer Tony Bartone in his ’09 Mustang sitting on the pole for Sunday’s first round. Bartone pushed the Mustang of Annie Whiteley to the #2 spot during the Saturday morning session after Annie led the field on Friday.

	Driver, Hometown, and Body Style	E.T.	Speed
1	Tony Bartone, Long Island City NY, ’09 Mustang	5.570	262.39
2	Annie Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, ’10 Mustang	5.571	259.36
3	Jay Payne, Claremont CA, ’10 Mustang	5.590	259.06
4	Clint Thompson, Klamath Falls OR, ’06 Monte Ca	5.590	259.01
5	Shane Westerfield, Lake Forest CA, ’06 Monte C	5.625	256.06
6	Steve Gasparrelli, W. Covina CA, ’06 Monte Car	5.626	258.62
7	John Lombardo Jr., Brea CA, ’06 Monte Carlo	5.630	257.19
8	Doug Gordon, Paso Robles CA, ’06 Monte Carlo	5.640	257.28
9	Mark Woznichak, Ontario CA, ’06 Monte Carlo	5.658	255.43
10	Mickey Ferro, Stamford CT, ’06 Monte Carlo	5.671	251.86
11	Keeter Ray, Newport Beach CA, ’11 Mustang	5.690	252.80
12	John Evanchuk, Edmonton AB, ’06 Monte Carlo	5.693	254.14
13	Jason Rupert, Yorba Linda CA, ’06 Monte Carlo	5.723	253.33
14	Sean Bellemeur, Tustin CA, ’02 Camaro	5.726	252.47
15	Charles McLaws, Winslow AZ, ’03 Firebird	5.749	254.14
16	Kris Hool, Casper WY, ’06 Monte Carlo	5.752	255.53

Al Kenny, 2012 Super Comp champ?

Super Comp Lucas points leader Al Kenny, took another huge step in his journey to the world title as his closest competitor, Stefan Kondolay, lost in the early rounds ending his chances of getting the points he needed to pass Kenny in the title race. Kenny advanced his Jeg’s sponsored dragster to the big show on Sunday although he is out of national races to claim, a win would sweeten his weekend, as he is nearly a lock to win the Lucas 2012 Super Comp title.

Alan Ellis took his wild altered to a first round win over Lloyd Wofford after Wofford left too soon

Jeff Lane’s B/SMA is going into round two

Lloyd Woolford may have lost first round in Comp, but his Hemi Cuda is going into Sunday's finals

Lloyd Wofford may have lost first round in Comp, but his Hemi Cuda is going to Sunday’s finals

Larry Stewart’s SS/IA is also going to Sunday’s finals

Don Walsh wins his first round matchup

In Pro Mod, Don Walsh was able to retain fifth consecutive No. 1 qualifying position of the season during the NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by ProCare Rx event during the 12th annual Big O Tires NHRA Nationals.

Walsh was able to best Clint Satterfield in the first round of eliminations held on Saturday and will face Ray Commisso when racing resumes on Sunday.

Series points leader Mike Castellana made it through to the second round of eliminations when he defeated Jay Payne on Saturday. Castellana will be seeking his first career NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series presented by Pro Care Rx championship on Sunday when he faces second in points racer, Troy Coughlin.

Troy Coughlin

Rickie Smith, who is third in points, will face Leah Pruett in the other quarterfinal matchup after blowing the hood and scoop of his Camaro in a first round win. Danny Rowe will face Pete Farber in the remaining quarterfinal race.

Ricky Smith scattered all kinds of parts at the end of this Saturday night first round pass. The team will have to work to get the Camaro ready for round 2

Leah Pruett’s turbo Stang

Cruz Pedregon raced to the #1 spot in Funny Car Saturday night

The man who is King and the man who will be King squared off during Saturday’s qualifying. Reigning champ Jason Line (near lane) is #1 qualifier in Pro Stock with a Las Vegas record 6.590@ 209.72 MPH as Allen Johnson’12 Avenger is #2 with a 6.600. Going into Sunday’s eliminations, Johnson has over a 90 point advantage over Line and could clinch the title at Vegas

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson rider Krawiec won the rain-delayed final elimination round from Reading with a run of 6.966 at 194.13 defeating teammate Andrew Hines in the process to earn his eighth win of the 2012 season.