The RETURN: Houston Hot Pix

After many requests, we're bringing back the Hot Pix at every event. We'll also bring back the Power Rankings at the first part of every month.

TAD

Cars entered: 22

1. Bill Reichert - Hard to count out the Champ after the weekend he had here last year (5.10/284). He'll have to do it with one percent less nitro. The only curveball that doesn't make him a virtual lock is he finally had to front half his tried and true mount over the offseason. Appeared to 'struggle' until he found a 5.22 in Round 1 in Gainesville. Should be dangerous once he gets the new pipe dialed in.

2. Morgan Lucas - In Pomona and Gainesville, has been a low 5.30, high .20 bracket car, except for one round. Will still be dangerous in the sea level conditions of HRP.

3. Spencer Massey - Hard to count out a car that has low .20 potential and hardly cuts a light above a .020. Will definitely make some noise in the field.

4. Duane Shields - Pomona winner has a history of success at HRP. Once they found their groove in Pomona, were hard to stop. We're not counting the Shortline Express team out.

5. John Finke - Comes into Baytown with the national points lead, and for good reason, appears to have the most consistent A/Fueler right now. Hasn't broke their back with killer numbers, but is always there. Should be a late round player.

6. Darvin Martinets - The lone blown car in the field has shown a good level of consistency, and the ability to drop into the 5.30's on several occasions. Should give the injected contingent a run for their money.

7. Lindsey Wood - Wood makes her debut behind the wheel of the Tom Conway's Piston Project A/Fueler this weekend. Car has been incosistent this year, but we all know what Conway is capable of once he gets dialed in.

8. Arthur Gallant - With such a good field on tap, hard to put the former champ in the "Dark Horse" hole, but definitely knows how to get the car in the low .30's or better. How quickly he adapts back to the seat will determine his success.

LOW ET: 5.249
TOP SPEED: 274.78

TAFC
Cars entered: 20

1. Mickey Ferro - Appears to have gained a step with new pipe this year. Runner-upped this event last year, and will be a force to be reckoned with this year.

2. Steve Harker - Always the picture of consistency, will be in the thick of things as usual.

3. Jay Payne - Just like a good baseball line up, we have the field's power hitter in the 3 - spot. Didn't show the usual Payne like numbers in Pomona with new ride and new BAE 8 heads, but could find his mojo back in H-Town.

4. Sean O'Bannon - Silently gaining ground on the TAFC field. Sam Shockley tuned Patron ride could turn a few heads this weekend. Should be a late round player.

5. Von Smith - Shouldn't take super-tuner Steve Boggs long to get Smith's new Hadman mount back to the form they won Dallas with last year. We're not counting them out.

6. Jimmy Jones - Struggled with parts breakage at the season-opener in Belle Rose, but is usually one of the more consistent cars in the field. Should mix it up with the big names in his home state.

7. Paul Anderson - Hard to count the defending Division 5 Champ out. We're not.

8. Lee Callaway - Two words. Jackie. Stidham. Need we say more? Found the 5.60's in the heat last year at the Dallas national, our 'Dark Horse' pick of the week.

LOW ET: 5.557
TOP SPEED: 260.21

What's your picks?