BILL STEPHENS “IN THE GROOVE” 5/3/10

Up until Sunday, it had not been a banner year for Robert with only four round wins in the first six national events of the season. But as we’ve all seen so many times in this sport, all it takes is one race to turn the tide and put all of the disappointments of the past behind you. Robert’s win in St. Louis at Gateway International Raceway was well timed, coming at an event sponsored by AAA of Missouri, a division of Robert’s primary sponsor.

You had to feel good about Robert’s chances after his second round win over John. In fact, the performance on the Auto Club of Southern California Mustang consistently improved during the day so that when the reigning Full Throttle champion pulled up next to Jack Beckman in the final, there was a feeling of optimism rippling through JFR.

Robert said after the race that they went back to a combination they had used a couple of years ago—a setup which John has used to great advantage this year—and it clearly rectified many of the tuning demons which had kept Jimmy and the guys scratching their heads during the first six races of the year.

What Robert’s win accomplished (besides helping him climb a little higher in the points to sixth) was help boost the early-season dominance of JFR. It has been a long time since two JFR cars have gotten out to such a strong combined start with John having a sizzling 2010 campaign so far and Robert now busting into the win column. You’d have to go back to the days of John and Tony Pedregon to find such a formidable 1-2 punch to start a racing season. So far, so good!

It was also good to see Warren Johnson finally pick up a national event win in Pro Stock after a four-year dry spell. In all fairness, even WJ had to admit that his win was based more on the mistakes and misfortunes of several of his opponents than it was his own performance. But Warren is a warrior, drag racing at an age when most men are taking it easy and enjoying retirement. Any time he does well, there is a huge legion of fans who celebrate his success and long to see him regain the incredible race-winning style he commanded for the better part of three decades.

Hmm, does that sound a little like John’s latest resurgence?

The NHRA schedule takes a two-week break and resumes the action in Atlanta for the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals. What an appropriate event for Ashley to score her first win of 2010 since it was there in 2008 she won her first Funny Car event title when she beat Dear Old Dad in the final round.

We shall see!