[Bill Baer]

The finale at Byron/ Saturday

Twenty four rave souls showed
up for qualifying with two racers Pete Daubner and Crew Chief Pro's Don Higgins both posting 8.900 but Pete did if first!
The first round saw Lacy Rosenberry utilize an excellent .007 light and a 8.94 to send a tardy .100/8.919 Mr. Reimer back to the trailer.
Jim Glossen advanced when #1 qualifier Pete Daubner went red by -.003!
Jim Gerakaris kept his championship hopes alive with a near perfect 8.902 which forced the quicker leaving Diamond Dave Livesey under at 8.894
Mommy Shelly Thielen like Pete before her went red to advance Gene Kwasiborski's little brother Richie.
Tom Mooney advanced when " The Professor" Ben Baer broke the vacuum pump on the burnout.
Don Higgins also advanced via a red light by Chris " you know, the pretty one" Gerakaris (-008).
Mark Meier showed previous Byron winner Larry Wasielewski
How it's done as he opened up a fresh can if whoop ace on him in the form of a .008/8.901 (Larry carded a very respectable .016/8.910)

DaChad made quick work of Manito's favorite son & driving professor Larry Bershausen .010/8.921 to Larry's to quick 8.894.

Joey Fuesting came up a winner when both he and Braidwood's Jeff Torbeck went red Joey's being closer at -.009 to Jeff's -.116.

Capt'in Pat LaMont and Curtis( My Man) Chiddister also advanced by fouls on the part of Gary "Smiley" Jenkins and lil' Mikey Nolan ( reaction times withheld to protect the guilty)

And finally the round ended on a strange note as Dale Wiand put an outstanding .005 vs .075 hole shot on Rob Standard only to have his mount slow to an 9.049 and have Rob motor bye him at a 8.956!

Sheesh 12 pairs 7 red lights! What a blood bath!

Round 2:

In the first pair Rob Standard won the math quiz over Tom Mooney 8.869 vs 8.860.

Mark Meier proved that that red bulb had not burnt out yet as he went red to advance Da Chad.

Capt'in Pat likewise proved that little chrimson some a batch was very much operational (-.002) which benefited young Mr. Fuesting.

Jim Gerakaris just edged our the Lovely Lacy 8.893 vs. 8.870 as he quietly continued to gain points in his quest to catch (at this point) interested spectator "Smiley"Jenkins.

Rich Kwas used a perfect 000 light to advance over a -.002 red lighting Mr. Higgins

And Little Jimmy Glossen's Dad had the odd lot bye.

Round 3:

The first pair saw an unusually late leaving (for him) Chad LaMont (.043) advance when his 8.907 forced .Jimmy's Dad to the dark side by the slimmest of margins at an 8.895.

Rob Standard won a double breakout over Da Kwas Brothers 8.894 to a 8.807.

Joey Fuesting ended Mr. Gerakaris' day when Jim posted an off pace 8.963 vs. Fuestling's 8.940

The semi's:

The semi's saw Joey light that damn Crimson mood killer ( don't that damn thing ever burn out?) to advance Mr. Standard
And Da Chad had a bye.

The final:

This final featured not just the reining Midwest Super Comp Champion in Chad but also a former Midwest Super Comp Champ Rob Standard.
At the flash of the green (what no red lights?) Chad took a early lead (.023 vs .053) and never looked back( well maybe just a little) as his 8.983 combined with his starting line advantage was enough to stay in front of Mr.Standard's slightly better 8.975
As the win light came on in his lane Chad did something unusual
(For him) he pulled the chute to honor his friend and ours the late great Dave McWilliams. I know that for Connie and Dave's friends standing on the starting line it was an emotional moment.
Well Done Chad, well done indeed.