Miller opens 2005 SoCal Pro Gas Season with final round win over Hoefer

By Bob Johnson
California Dragway Fontana, Calif. January 30, 2005

Phil Miller of Riverside, Calif., opened the Southern California Pro Gas Assoc., 26^th season with a victory at California Dragway, defeating Alan Hoefer in the final round. Eagle Rods & Crankshafts sponsored the race.

Seventy-one cars entered the event, with NHRA Division 7 Super Gas Champion Randy Balough qualifying number one with a perfect 9.900 with his Corvette.  Paul Wiechmann and Dave Fargo also post perfect 9.900 for the second and third spots.

Hoefer opened the fourth round with a double breakout win over Balough, Pete Kinney advanced as Karen Comstock was too quick with her Corvette, Miller went another round as John Ross couldn't make the call, Brian Mendenhall used a .006 light to beat Hubert Pierce Jr., and Paul Wiechmann ran a 9.901 on a by run.

Hoefer's .005 reaction and 9.918 was too much for Kinney's 9.917 and .014 reaction, Mendenhall moved to the semi when Olds-racer Wiechmann cut a -.001 reaction time, and Miller got a bye.  In the semifinals, Hoefer put his 81 Camaro in the finals with a bye run, and Miller and Mendenhall battled for a chance to race him, with Miller getting the win with a 9.895 (.009 r.t.) to a losing 9.883 (.019 r.t.).

In the final, Miller got his first Pro Gas win with a 9.928, 131.05 (.022 r.t.) with Hoefer finishing runner-up with a 9.935, 139.13 (.040 r.t.).  Miller holds the early Pro Gas points lead with 1005 points, followed by Alan Hoefer (915), Mendenhall (803), Wiechmann (717), and Kinney (702).

The 2005 SoCal Pro Gas Assoc., series will continue on March 19 at L.A. County Raceway.

Ray's Notes