Drag Racing Action Online

Images Geoff Sculley, Phil Hutchison and Michael Anderson

The race, held at the  annual US131 Northern Nationals in Martin Michigan, was part of a jam packed weekend featuring the PDRA, NHRA legal Top Fuelers along with Funny Cars, and Fuel Altereds. Each night closed with a wheelstander and jet cars. Saturday’s show was sold out and the place was rocking all weekend.

Coming into the final race of a three-race series, Tennessee racer Joey Haas had a slim lead over #2 Michael Anderson from Abilene Texas. Both drivers had traded wins at the first two events with Haas the most recent winner at Norwalk OH driving the Tri States car owned by John Mills. Anderson won the season opener at Rocket City Dragway in Alabama on a hole shot over, you guessed it, Haas.

After the Norwalk race, team crew chief Steve McClain made the tough decision to park the Tri State Racing Team Chevy powered car until he could get a handle on why the motor was self-destructing even with backing down the tune-up.

With no ride for the last race, Haas accepted Bob Malloy’s offer to drive the team’s injected dragster at Martin. Haas qualified the car and unfortunately, lost in round one to eventual runner up Julius Hughes III.

Haas, far lane, was at a disadvantage against Hughes, but gave it his best in a losing effort

“I’m grateful to Bob Malloy to give up their beautiful car, for me to chase points in the Extreme Top Fuel,” Haas said. “It was all in hopes of keeping my chances in the Extreme Top Fuel. All these cars are different, each pass down the track is different in aspect. But this car threw me for a loop, it was the FIRST time I’ve ever drove a car without a supercharger! So, the noise, feeling and vibrations was different, I rev’d this car up to 4,000 rpm before I took the green light, and out about 330’ you shift the car, something I haven’t done in 10 years! The parachute lever was on the opposite side, major change! Everything went great, with awesome incremental numbers. I fell short with points, but I am forever grateful to wheel the Beedy and Malloy injected front engine dragster.”

With Haas out of competition, it was up to Anderson in his West Texas Hustler to start making up points and he started in R1 defeating Tim Cullinan in the Irish Car Bomb car 5.997, to  slowing 6.127 of Cullinan.

2023 Extreme Top Fuel champ Jim Young took out the Fuelish Flyer car driven by John Lorbiecki 5.771 to a 6.673 of Lorbiecki.

This set up a monumental race in R2 with Young up against Anderson. Young, in third place had a legitimate chance to defend his title with a win but what was the race of the day, lost to Anderson 5.75 to a 5.74. Both drivers were on their game at the green with Anderson’s 0.038 reaction time a tad quicker than 0.048 of Young.

On the other side of the ladder Hughes who had beaten Haas in R1, beat Mike Taylor’s Blue Collar dragster in another close race, 5.895 to a 5,951 of Taylor.

Earlier in R1 Taylor got around the Top Fueler of Larry Gocha.  Taylor was tardy off the line but easily caught the motor destroying run of Gocha.

Gocha ended up breaking a valve in his potent Hemi which in turn broke a piston ending his day on an expensive run.

With the 2024 Championship decided it was now just down to Anderson to win the event over Hughes’ Atlanta Speed Shop entry.

As has been the case all day, the packed US 131 crowd was on their feet for the finals. Anderson was off the line first and posted a winning 5.818 to Hughes close 5.937. It was Hughes second consecutive runner up at the Northern Nationals.

After his win and his first championship title, Anderson could not say enough about all the help he got from 2023 champ Jim Young. “Holy cow, Jim Young has really taken me under his wing guiding us through a ton of obstacles to get to this point. Without this type of help being out there it would have been a way longer road to get to this point. But along with that has been a ton of help from Bryan Hall which been there from the beginning and has talked me of plenty of cliffs which sometimes isn’t all that easy. The biggest and most amazing help I have received is from my CREW. And without them none of this would ever be possible.

“I am 110% sure I speak for all the Extreme Top Fuel Teams when I say our crews absolutely KICK A$$. Starting with my right hand man James Harrell which puts in as much, if not more work on this car than me. Brian Fox which also did the chassis has been there from the beginning. Funny Car Mike Irwin that does the clutch and has seen everything first hand we have tried and finally accomplished. Justin White, Dewayne Channie, Joseph Harrell that all came on this year and did a phenomenal job.

Anderson’s mom Pheby and his son Brandon celebrate Michael’s win at Martin

“A really cool deal was my son 17 yr old Brandon Anderson coming and helping with the bottom end and doing a killer job. There’s definitely been more over the past 2 yrs and they know who they are and can’t thank them enough too. So as you can see it takes a ton support to get these Hot Rods to run. I really like driving the car and do the mechanical stuff 2nd. But on these types of car you better know how to do both.”

“We do most everything but the machining in house. Heck, we put a new crankshaft in the motor Friday night at the Norwalk race. Pulled the motor out the car put it on the ground and swapped it out right there. Had her ready at 2:30 am and ran it the next day. “Same motor won the Martin race which is just unbelievable. To have stories like these is priceless and it takes a awesome crew to make this all work. Can not Thank everyone enough and look forward to many more great memories.”

Series promoter and founder Jim Young said after another successful season,” I’m extremely proud of all the teams that supported the Extreme Top Fuel series. Three races, all full fields, and not one oil down or delay. I would like to thank American Metalcraft, Dave Nelson, Custom Floaters, R&R Connecting Rods and all the fans that support us. Congratulations to Michael Anderson and his team for dominating season.”

2023 Series Champ Jim Young came close to defending his Extreme Top Fuel title losing by the slimmest of margins to Anderson