No Luck Las Vegas!

Todd Lesenko and the Chuck Worsham racing team had very high hopes while entering NHRA’s SummitRacing.com Nationals at Las Vegas — but the hand of good fortune was no where to be seen this weekend.

Following a very steady looking 4.302 secs 296.57 mph first qualifying run on Friday afternoon things took a decided turn for the worst for the potential ridden team.

Friday night’s 2nd qualifying round was marred by a very untimely mechanical malfunction when the throttle stop device used to control engine RPM during the burnout process failed.  When Todd hit the gas to do his burnout the 8000 HP engine revved up instantly past limits and that resulted in a rather catastrophic explosion which took out the car’s supercharger, cylinder heads and engine block and which also damaged the Dodge Charger body.

It may have well been one of the most expensive burnouts in drag racing history! (Super Ouch!)

Following that the team was called upon to do major work into the early AM hours of Saturday in order to recover the car for the next day’s scheduled qualifying rounds — which they in fact did very efficiently.

But then a combination of very hot track conditions and ferocious competition resulted in the team just missing the program’s 4.363 secs bump – placing 17th of 20 cars entered.

“There is no doubt that the setback on Friday night affected us here,” said Todd.  “Missing the opportunity to run during the cooler track and atmospheric conditions put us at a disadvantage.  It’s a shame that such a small part (throttle stop) could cause so much damage.  But I’m very proud about the crews effort here — they worked amazingly hard and I think we deserved a better fate — but that is just part of drag racing.”

Todd also offered his congratulations to eventual event winner Cruz Pedregon who scored his first NHRA national event since the Pomona Finals in 2012.

Photos by:  Bruce Biegler

To view additional event photos from NHRA Las Vegas visit the Photo Gallery HERE (Select event from menu)