ITA Topeka Hot Pix

Ok, here's our "Hot Pix" for the weekend:

TAD

1. Jim Whiteley - Has been hot of late, and with hot weather upon us this weekend, Whiteley and the Norm Grimes lead team will be hard to beat.

2. Shawn Cowie - Was a 5.30 bracket car in Mission last weekend en route to runner-up. Will give the field all they can handle.

3. Thomas Bayer - Last year's No. 2 team knows their way to the winner's circle. Should be a late round player.

4. Spencer Massey - Will be a tough weekend for the A/Fuelers, but who's going to bet against a guy as hot as Spencer Massey. Has had success in hot weather in the past.

5. Cody Perkins - Another tough blown car with a driver that can kill the tree. Should be able to mix it up with the field this weekend.

6. Chris Demke - Looks to be returning to the form when he absolutely dominated Division 7. Has a final round showing to his credit at this event in the past.

7. Brandon Lewis - Always seems to be in the thick of things. Has fell into a bit of a slump, but made the finals here last year, could bounce back.

8. Aaron Tatum - Has been on an absolute tear on the divisional level, remains to be seen if the Joe Monden lead team can perform in the heat. Our TAD 'Dark Horse' pick of the week.

Low ET: 5.367
Top Speed 266.89

TAFC

1. Steve Harker - Austrailan native dominated here last year, should do the same again.

2. Jay Payne - With Manzo's dominance this year, all eyes on the battle for second between Payne and Harker. Tough to ever count the Valvoline Thunderslug out, we're not.

3. Von Smith - Has made the final round of the last two national event's he's attended. Should be a late round player.

4. Sean O'Bannon - Sam Shockley lead team seems to be turning the corner. Ran 260 mph last weekend with new Monte Carlo on his way to a runner-up in Mission. Should be able to mix it up with the big hitters this weekend.

5. Jimmy Jones - Dr. Jones doesn't get out of Division 4 often, but the two-time Div. 4 Champ shouldn't be taken lightly.

6. Daniel Wilkerson - Will probably wonder what's wrong with his hot rod after driving pop's Nitro FC last weekend. This is a team that can step up and perform at any given time.

7. Cy Chesterman - Hasn't been the most dominant car on the qualifying sheet of late, but this team seems to always make it's way into the late rounds.

8. Roger Bateman - Armed with a new race car from Pro Start and a new BAE engine combo, could be a sleeper in the field. Our TAFC "Dark Horse" pick of the week.

Low ET: 5.615
Top Speed: 257.90