Another Gasser Magazine Reunion has now come and gone.  Yes, we had rain again, but we did get a couple of great days of racing in.  As in prior years, Track Manager Jim Curtis, and his crew did a fine job and did their best to make everyone feel welcome.

One of the things I like about Thompson Raceway Park (formerly Thompson Drag Raceway) is the facility itself.  This is not a big place.  When I look at the video of the (I think it was 1999) Gateway Gasser Gathering, I see lots of great people and cars really spread out over a huge facility.  At Thompson, everything is "up close and personal".  It's the perfect venue for this meet!

Was this event perfect?  Well, I guess not, but as someone who attended their first drag race 43 years ago in 1964, I have to say that I've never seen a perfect event!  As I said before, we did get rain again and that pretty well shut things down on Sunday.  During the week after the meet I heard some complaints about having to run after Bob Motz' Jet Truck.  Let's face it, jets do tend to spread kerosene around and can mess things up pretty well.  I also heard some questioning why we need jets, Funny Cars and Fuel Dragsters at a Gasser Meet.  Personally, I sort of agree...however, I also know that the track needs to have butts in the seats!  Many who attend this meet, like other meets, come to see those "attractions", and they do help pay the bills!  If you're reading this, you're probably in the "Gasser Fan" category and don't need those things to get you there, but we are in the minority.

All that being said, this is a really great Gasser event.  I don't know what the final car count was, but the pits were full of Gassers and everyone I talked to, racers and spectators alike, had a great time! After all is said and done, isn't that what it's all about?

I need, once again, to say thanks to several folks before ending this:

• The entire S&S Racing team for their wonderful hospitality and for providing me with a "base of operations" while at the track.  A special thanks to Fred Bear for letting me use his cart for the weekend...it was a real lifesaver and greatly appreciated...thanks Fred. 

• Dick Advey and Barb Hamilton-Advey...it was again, a great barbeque, thanks for inviting me.

• The Western New York Gasser gang for the great dinner Saturday night.

• Again, Jim Curtis and the staff at Thompson Raceway...as usual, you folks were outstanding in every way.

•  Ernest and Ken McIntyre of Gasser Magazine.

• The many folks who took the time to find and introduce themselves to me and tell me how much they enjoy GasserMadness.com.

• The late night "parking lot gang".  This year it was in front of the Holiday Inn Express...and as much fun as always!

• Everyone who came to race or just to spectate...you were what this meet is all about!

• I'm sure I've forgotten some who deserve to be thanked, but rest assured, as usual, my intentions are better than my memory, and I do thank you.

Once again, thanks to all who took part in this great event.

See ya'll next year!

Byron Stack