Santa Paula does well at Bakersfield’s Famoso Drag Strip

Charlie Whittaker, 2007 West Coast Hot Rod Association’s D/Gas World Champion runner-up, fought off some heavy competition to capture the D/Gas title at the season opener at Bakersfield’s Famoso Drag Strip. Mike Wortman qualified No. 1 in C/Gas, and went to the quarterfinals; Ray Padgett qualified 3rd in B/Gas and went to the semifinals; and Jim Steward went one round in C/Gas. This makes three events in a row that a Santa Paula racer has been to the winner’s circle at Famoso this year – Mike Wortman, Ray Padgett, and now Charlie Whittaker.