Gulko & Fischle Geterdone at the Lucas Oil Super Comp Race in Bakersfield

Photos and article by Bob Johnson, Auto Club Famoso Raceway Bakersfield, Calif.  June 9-10, 2007.

Michael Gulko almost had a perfect weekend at  Auto Club Famoso Raceway had it not been for a staging infraction in the final round of the second race of the weekend, allowing Eddie Fischle to score his first victory of the 2007 Lucas Oil Super Comp Assoc.  Gulko, who went into the event in 54th place in the series standings, ended the weekend in third place.

Qualifying for the first race of the weekend—sponsored by Lucas Oil and K & N Filters-- saw ’06 series champ Danny Aguayo take the Bonaco Hose & Fittings number one qualifier honor with an 8.901, followed by Rob Symons at 8.903 and Mandy Quigley with an 8.904.

Quarterfinal action began with Gulko cutting a .003 light to beat top qualifier Aguayo, Glenn Kirby used a .009 light to beat John Richardson, and Mandy Quigley got a bye run.  Quigley reached her first final of the year with an 8.906 win over Kirby, who redlighted by .013.  Gulko got a bye into the final.

Gulko put his Mission Viejo, Calif.,-based Mullis dragster into the winner’s circle with a final round 8.927, 173.17 (.019 reaction time) as the Quigley Girls-entry was .004 too quick with a losing 8.896, 170.64 (.014 r.t.).

Sunday’s Bonaco Hose & Fittings low qualifier award went to Ray Madrano, as he ran a perfect 8.900 to lead the 36-entries.  Gulko, still strong for his previous days success, also qualified with an 8.900 and Bobby Dye Jr. was third with an 8.901.  Eight of the cars going into the first round scored 8.90 qualifying times.

Eddie Fischle opened eliminations with a first round win over Lacy Stormes, he stopped Clayton Zulim in round two, and ’05 Lucas Super Comp champ Bobby Dye in the third round.  Fischle defeated Chris Forsyth in the quarterfinals, and got a bye into the final round.  Gulko, in quest for a perfect weekend, stopped Danny Aguayo for his first round win, he edged John Richardson in the second round and Bakersfield racer Rich Pederson in round three.  Gulko got a bye in round four, and in the semifinal he overcame Michael Piraino’s perfect light with an 8.944 to 8.996 win.

Gulko went to the final looking for his second win of the weekend, but a staging infraction nulled that, as Fischle got the win light with an 8.901, 162.68.  Race Tire Services sponsored the winner & runner-up plaques for the weekend.

Going into the next event—scheduled for July 14 & 15 at Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway—Gary Forkner leads the series standings with 246 points, followed by Eddie Fischle with 244 and Michael Gulko is third with 217 points.