In the final both Vancil and Larry "Drums" Brancaccio fishtailed through what seemed to be a slick launch pad. Vancil fell behind but was granted the win when Drums crossed the centerline.
"Right before the final they drug the track and then they sprayed it," Vancil said. "It seemed like it was okay for some of the other classes, but it just wasn't setup to handle Top Fuel. Both Drums and I got out of shaped big time. I shut mine off. He stayed in it and ended up taking out the cones."
Vancil says his quick decision to let out of the throttle early was a blessing in disguise and helped him avoid a dangerous situation. "I figured I wasn't going anywhere so I lifted and it was a good thing because he came over into my lane and my bike kind of pulls to the left a little," Vancil said.
Vancil is hoping Phoenix will represent just one of his many victories in 2007. But for now the former AHDRA champion is taking things the proverbial "one race at a time."
"I'm excited about the upcoming St. Louis event. We always seem to run well there," Vancil said. "We are going to go through the engine, tranny, rear wheel, pretty much the entire bike before the race. We'll be ready."
JIMS PRO FUEL
2006 West Coast Pro Fuel champion John Breckenridge was eager for a trip to the winner's circle after being defeated by Jay Turner in the Gainesville final a month prior.
"I'm very happy. We're trying out a new motor and my crew chief Dean caught on to the combination really quick," said Breckenridge, whose career best is a 6.54. "We struggled a bit on Saturday but had it figured out by Sunday."
Breckenridge defeated his rival Armon Furr in the semis with a rapid pass of 6.69 to Furr's wounded 8.17. Just don't ask him how.
"It was a big win over Armon. He has really been our arch nemesis," Breckenridge said. "I'd tell you what kind of tune-up we had in it, but every time I ask my crew what they are doing to the bike they tell me not to talk. I'm just the monkey that twists the throttle."
That set the stage for a rematch from the Gainesville final, only this time it was Breckenridge who had the performance advantage and lane choice over Turner.
"Having lane choice helped. We had a little edge on him because he had been smoking the tire throughout the day," Breckenridge said. "But I knew Jay would be tough. He's a great racer and I have a lot of respect for him."
In a crowd pleasing side-by-side final Breckenridge held off Turner with a 6.67 to Turner's 6.77."It was a good neck and neck race," Breckenridge said.