NHRA TAD & TAFC Power Rankings 10-18-05

NHRA TAD & TAFC Power Rankings
10/18/05

TAD
(Last week's rankings in parenthesis)

1. Steve Torrence (1) - It's official. 'Steve O' and Tom Conway are your new World Champs.

2. Aaron Olivarez (2) - Seems to be just a click off of Torrence's heels at nationals. Will take Conway's consistency on the Divisional level to challenge for the world title next year.

3. Bill Reichert (3) - "Cool Air" Bill got the job done again in Chicago with a great 280 MPH pass in the process. Needs to figure out the heat to derail Conway & Torrence.

4. Art Gallant (5) - Look for this week-in-week-out hitter to finish the year with a win in Atco

5. Hillary Will (4) - Struggles on the divisional level is why this team didn't challenge for the championship.

6. Steve Federlin (6) - It depends on which Federlin shows up. When this team is on their game, they're as good as any blown car in the field. That car hasn't showed up the last few races.

7. Mike Austin (NR) - Since filling in for the injured Chris Demke, this team has been on an absolute tear. Will be interesting to see them in national competition at the AAA Finals.

8. Randy Meyer (7) - Continues to be in a slump. If he ever gets out, look out.

9. Marty Thacker (8) - Went a couple of rounds in Dallas, Torco backed team is still trying to return to it's 2002-2003 performance level.

10. Lee Callaway (NR) - Back to back strong outings in Dallas, coupled with a No. 2 finish in Div. 4 moves Callaway into the top ten.

Just on the outside: Gene Snow, Guy Kelly, Jeff Bohr, Duane Shields, Joey Severance

TAFC

1. Frank Manzo (1) - Ace took a big win over Newb in Reading, then went on to win the All-Stars and Chicago. May run out of ground to catch Newberry, however.

2. Bob Newberry (2) - Lost the battle in Reading, but still may win the war for the championship. All eyes on Atco.

3. Mick Snyder (4) - These guys just show up and go rounds. Deadly consistent, and it's hard for anyone to count that converter as a disadvantage anymore.

4. Steve Gasparrelli (7) - Had been struggling, then seemed to find the problem in Dallas big time, taking back to back wins at that track. Car is thundering and has an outside shot at the title. Had it not been for the DNQ in Pomona, this may be a three-way battle we're talking about.

5. Jay Payne (3) - The Valvoline Thunderslug hasn't been 'thundering' of late. May be testing for next year.

6. John Weaver (5) - Wasn't stellar in Chicago, but ran some decent numbers. Look for the team to rebound in their back yard out west.

7. Bucky Austin (7) - A resurgent Bucky clinched the Div. 6 title with a strong performance in Medford.

8. Steve Harker (NR) - This Aussie has been breaking their backs lately, scoring a win in Columbus over Manzo and qualifying No. 1 in Dallas. Has intentions of running a full schedule next season.

9. Dave Ray (10) - This team may just be the spoiler in the National Championship as it goes down to the wire at Atco.

10. Jimmy Jones (NR) - "Texas Tremor" team solidified their early season rankings with back to back runner-ups in Dallas. This year's Division 4 Champ.

Just on the outside: Dennis Taylor, Doug Gordon, Tate Branch, Hank Coolidge, Bernie Harrington