High And Mighty
Super Stock racer David Bogner and Stock eliminator driver Gene Mosbek prevailed in 2002 to win the overall points championship titles for NHRA's High and Mighty West Central Division Five. Mosbek drove his meticulously prepared Englehart Performance, 426 factory-wedge-powered '64 Savoy to the Stock title after getting off to a fast start by winning a Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event held at Brainerd Minnesota. He combined that win with consistent late-round finishes to capture the division. Second-generation driver David Bogner's championship in Super Stock came in only his second season, driving a '99 Dodge Avenger and using a Bogner Automotive 340 motor. The Nebraska-based son of longtime Mopar proponent Marlin Bogner also ran consistently throughout the season. His big win during the LODRS event held at Bandimere Speedway last summer proved to be key in the overall title.
Significant Math
Chassis builder Rick Jones fired an apparent warning shot across the bow of IHRA's Pro Stock class contingent during some late '02 post-season testing. During an extended three-day session held at Darlington International Dragway, Jones drove his Quarter-Max Components Pro Stock Dodge Neon to no fewer than 16 laps, the quickest of which was a superb 6.531. Not only was that a career-best run for Jones, but it was also the quickest clocking in Mopar Pro Stock racing history.
"We were pleased with the way the car was testing," says Jones, "especially with Saturday's run, considering the current IHRA Pro Stock record is 6.532. We got the car to run consistently in the mid-to-high 650s." Jones attributed the performance to a number of factors, including several different new chassis components and some experimental Hemi heads. The testing results hold well for Jones' chances in 2003. He and his racing partner, Mark Stockseth, had previously announced the formation of a formidable two-car Dodge Stratus Pro Stock team assault for next season in conjunction with Canadians Larry and Wayne O'Brien.
E.T. Elitist
Les Belle of Springfield, Ontario, won what was arguably the most prestigious title available for E.T. bracket racers when he scored at the Summit Racing National E.T. Finals held last November in conjunction with NHRA's AAA Auto Club Finals at Pomona Raceway. Belle earned 2002's National Super Pro Championship title when he drove his '70 Plymouth Arrow past an elite field.
"We've been racing this car for about six years," says Belle. "It started out as a Pro E.T. car, but we then lowered it and installed a four-link. We run a 477 Mopar block with iron heads and a single four-barrel. The car runs mid-9.5s and is very consistent."
The Summit Racing National E.T. Finals field included only a select few top-ranked drivers from around North America. Each racer qualified to participate in the year-end invitation-only race after placing well during regional divisional Race of Champions events held last September.