As is the custom, the Winternationals at Pomona is followed almost immediately by a national event at Charlie Allen's Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona. Chevy-powered racers didn't quite have the kind of weekend in Phoenix that they had at Pomona, but there was still something for the faithful to cheer about at the end of the day.
Kurt Johnson extended his consecutive streak for rounds won to 13 before losing, but did leave the event in second place in World Championship points. Ron Capps drove Don Prudhomme's Camaro to a semi-final finish in the Fuel Funny Car class and moved into third place in the points race. Camaro drivers, Tommy Johnson, Jr and Chuck Etchells, broke into the top ten.
Leave it to Chevy sportsman racers to take up the slack. Dan Fletcher and his '69 Camaro served notice that another World Championship could be in the cards. For the second national event in a row he drove to the final round, but this time he got the win, defeating Abe Loewen's Pontiac and taking the points lead in the process.
The other Bow-Tie winner at Phoenix was Gary Thompson, who got the win in the 10.90 Super Street class with a holeshot over the Plymouth Arrow of Dwight Gooding.
For the Chevy faithful the 2001 NHRA season is starting off on a good note. Chevy racers are in first or second in points in two professional classes, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Truck. Chevys or Chevy-powered cars have won every eliminator NHRA racing has to offer, except Top Fuel and Federal Mogul dragster.
The tradition of Chevy's winning NHRA races and World Championships appears to not be in any danger of fading away. As if anyone had any doubt. Chevys rule!