Giacalone defeats Fargo for SoCal Pro Gas Win at LACR National Open

By Bob Johnson
L.A. County Raceway, Palmdale CA Sept.26, 2004

Paul “PJ” Giacalone has competed in three racing series this year along with most NHRA Division 7 events.  He has had a great season with his ’55 Chevy in the Goodguys VRA series, and currently leads the C/Gas class going into the final event of the year.  Its been another story in the SoCal Pro Gas series, where he had only one round win in the previous six events, that is until the seventh race of the Pro Gas season, where he won the coveted “wally” race.  The event was conducted as part of the NHRA National Open at L.A. County Raceway.

Eighty-one cars entered the Eagle Rods and Crankshafts-sponsored event, with nine cars qualifying on the 10.14 second index.  Russ Hester lead qualifying with his ’57 Corvette with a perfect 10.140, followed by Gary Cooke, also driving a Corvette as he also ran 10.140.  Mike Blodgett Sr. solidified his number one qualifying position for the Pro Gas Shootout with a 10.141, and Chip Rumis ran 10.142 for the number four qualifying spot.

Giacalone went to the final round by defeating Joe Ghyselinck in round one, he beat low qualifier Hester in the second round, and in round three he beat the Pontiac of Fred Kondrotas.  In the fourth round he stopped the Camaro of Alan Hoefer, and in the quarterfinals he beat Chip Rumis’ Camaro.

Dave Fargo, who had on opportunity to take home two “wallys” over the weekend as he was the runner-up in both Pro Gas and Super Street, went home with lots of points in the two series—but only runner-up plaques from both eliminators.  Fargo went to the Pro Gas final by defeating Steve Barber in round one, Woody Tryon in the second round, Val Torres Sr. in round three, and Mike Blodgett Jr. in the fourth round.  In the quarterfinals he stopped Mike Blodgett Sr., and in the semifinal he beat the Perma-Coil Pontiac of Val Torres Jr.

The final round was as championship caliber at its best.  Both drivers recorded identical .004 reaction times, and Giacalone won the double breakout race with a 10.137, 136.98 to Fargo’s second best of 10.124, 135.68 with his Chevy Camaro.

Giacalone thanked sponsors Shaver Specialties, Hot Rod Performance, Continental Converters, Fram Filters, Mike’s Transmission, and Johnny’s Exclusive Auto.  He also thanked Eagle Rods and Crankshafts and Smith Motorsports for sponsoring the race.

Going into the final race of the season, Mike Blodgett Sr. holds a 53 point lead over second place Wayne Newman, Jed Bourquin is third with 3034, Chris Newman has 2818, and Dave Fargo has 2815.  Rounding off the Pro Gas top ten are Dave Coapstick (2709), Paul Wiechmann (2641), Rick Gunther (2631), Greg Ventura (2630), and Pete Bothe and Woody Tryon are tied for tenth with 2625.

The Pro Gas Shootout qualifiers are final, with Mike Blodgett Sr. nailing down the top qualifying spot with 52 points, followed by Russ Hester with 38, Paul Wiechmann has 37, and Gary Cooke had 36 for the fourth spot.  The bottom half of the ladder has Doug Crumlich (34), Dave Carroll (33), Rick Gunther (27) and Greg Ventura (27).

Ray's Notes