4 Days in May

[Rory McNeil]

Originally Posted by Keith 944

I know stock rules can be totally different than any other NHRA class, and not trying to take anything away from that amazing accomplishment. My question is was it legal to even dial in the 9's with just a short sleeve t-shirt?

I don`t recall if NHRA had made the Stocker drivers wear a SFI jacket yet in 2001, but I think any such ruling would be more based on the ET ran, not a shoe polish number on the window.
As one of the fortunate few to have been there early that chilly Sunday morning, I recall that Bobby was the first in the lanes with a 9.99 dial, several others soon changed their 10.0 dials to a 9.99. When Bobby DeArrmonds blue 69 Camaro hiked the front wheels high in a first round race against Gary McCoys yellow E/S AAR Cuda, and headed down track, it seemed to take a while, and then the 9.99 popped up on the score boards, and history was made. Cheering by some, and likely some cursing muttered under the breath of the other racers hoping to be first. And although it was not a record run, as Robert Pond had ran a corrected for altitude 9 at Boise a few weeks earlier, Bobbys 9 was the first un corrected single digit pass. And to erase any doubt, Bobbys engine was voluntarily subjected to a full NHRA teardown, including removing the engine from the car, and dropping the oil pan, under the watchful eyes of the NHRA Tech crew, and then DD Jerry Valentine. It was quite an experiance.