High Speed Motorsports Has Good Showing

April 23-24, 2005, Sonoma, CA - The Goodguys 17th Nitro Nationals was marked with iffy weather conditions, a record number of oil downs and some of the closest Top Fuel racing in memory. The teams came in Friday to overcast and rainy skies and a chance of rain over the weekend. Being just a two day event scheduling would be tight at best with two qualifying sessions Saturday for all classes so any interference from Mother Nature or unforeseen on-track incidences would, and in this case did, throw everything off. Because of a weather delayed start and TF engine carnage, most (if not all) classes only got one shot to make the show. With 24 TF cars on the grounds that meant if you missed your tune-up, you would be one of the eight cars going home. Bellemeur's car overpowered the track on his only attempt but still made the show on the bump. Race photos and details below.

Sean Bellemeur was paired with Brett Harris for his one and only qualifying session.

 
Bellemeur struck the tires hard at the hit but managed to pedal it to a 6.974 @ 226.43.

Following the Saturday session, the Plaza Hotel crew checked out the car and changed the tune-up for eliminations on Sunday.

Wisely foreseeing a long day, the first round of Top Fuel went off early (9:45 am) with Sean Bellemeur and Jim Murphy paired up for round one, pair one of Top Fuel.

Bellemeur, who is one of the best leavers in the sport, strapped a holeshot on Murphy (0.017 to 0.094) and held it all the way to the stripe. Sean carded a 6.007 @ 247.57 to Jim's quicker and faster 5.965 @ 252.05. Bellemeur's MOV: 0.0350 seconds (approximately 13 feet). This would prove to be just the first of several very close TF races this day.

Round two paired Bellemeur and Brett Harris.

Both cars left together but Harris took over by the 330' mark and pulled away to a 5.912 @ 255.92 win light. Bellemeur never gave up carding a nice 6.029 @ 243.72.