TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Nitromethane fumes are wafting over the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds this weekend as the Winternationals kick off the NHRA Full Throttle drag racing season which means the March Meet is just around the corner. March 1-4 to be exact.

And, just like the Winternationals, the March Meet will feature crowd-pleasing nitromethane-powered funny cars and top fuelers -- only in a nostalgia style.

And unlike NHRA national events, the nitro cars in nostalgia races still do it the old-fashioned way -- running a full quarter mile instead of the 1,000-foot track for the modern cars.

Now in its 54th year, the March Meet is the biggest nostalgia drag race in the world, luring 500 racers to the fabled Auto Club Famoso Raceway north of Bakersfield.

Upwards of 30 nostalgia funny cars (outfitted with 1979 and earlier-style bodies) and more than 16 front-motored top fuel dragsters have pre-entered the event, which for the first time has been expanded to four days.

Track vice president Blake Bowser said the expansion to four days was needed to allow the track to feature all the classes in the Hot Rod Heritage Series.

Among those competing will be NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series funny car driver Ron Capps, who will be in Del Worshham's Plymouth Arrow.

Other drivers include NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion funny car champ John Hale, 2011 March Meet winner Kris Krabill, Hot Rod Heritage Series champ Jason Rupert and Paul Romine.

On the top fuel side, March Meet winner Rick White will be on hand as will CHRR winner Brett Harris. Also back in action after taking some time off will be Brett's father, Jack. Hard-hitting Tony Bartone is making the trek from New York to compete and Jim Murphy will be trying for his fifth March Meet title.

Legendary father and son drag racers Larry Dixon Sr. and Larry Dixon Jr. have been named grand marshals of the event.

The elder Dixon competed at the March Meet in the 1960s and Dixon Jr., a three-time NHRA top fuel champ, has been coming to Bakersfield since he was a kid.

Clean-up under way at Enos Lane track

Tumbleweeds continue to be harvested at the 83-acre site of the partially finished half-mile paved oval near Enos Lane and Interstate 5, according to Daniel Smith, project coordinator for a group of investors who have purchased the property.

"We've got dozers and loaders out here piling up tumbleweeds and we're getting bids on some things," Smith said. "It's going to ge a long, drawn-out deal. Nothing is finished."

In fact, Smith said some things that may have been finished -- specifically some electrical wiring -- has to be redone as thieves have made off with the copper wiring.

"We're just trying to get everything in place to see where we, what needs to be done," he said.

At the same time, Smith said rules for some of the classes, such as late model stock cars, are being formulated and should be ready in about a month. Races are planned for next spring but the track may be available for testing this year.

Win Harvick's Chevy

For the second consecutive year, someone will take home Kevin Harvick's custom-designed Chevrolet Camaro in the Kevin Harvick Foundation's "Win Happy's Chevy" promotion. Tickets for the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Convertible can be purchased for $29 each at www.winhappyschevy.com.

Proceeds will be used to further the mission of the Kevin Harvick Foundation. Established in 2010 by Harvick and his wife DeLana. The mission of the foundation focuses on positively enriching the lives of children through programs such as Kevin's Krew, Chase Your Dreams Scholarships, the Kevin Harvick Athletic Scholarship Fund and many others.

Quick shifts

Bakersfild Speedway will begin its 67th year of operation on March 3 with IMCA modifieds, hobby stocks, American stocks and mini stocks.Practice for all divisions at the third-mile clay oval will be held on Feb. 25.

Interstingly, Toyota Speedway at Irwindale has not posted a schedule for the 2012 season. Several Bakersfield drivers competed in various divisions at the paved half-mile oval last season and the awards banquet was canceled.