2006 Fun Ford Weekend Topeka Racetrack - Heads-Up In The Heartland

The Heartland Park facility in Topeka, Kansas, has been the home of many NHRA records through the years, most notably the monumental breach into both the 4-second and 300-mph barriers in the Funny Car class in 1993. Can you believe they did that 13 years ago? Awesome traction and a long, smooth half-mile of shutdown make the Kansas track a favorite of many of the top FFW shootout competitors, as well as their NHRA counterparts in speed.

Just before the Fun Ford Weekend series blew through Topeka last year, the asphalt was replaced on the big end of the racetrack, and a major $22 million renovation began after they exited. Nearly all of the monies, however, were spent in preparation of the '06-and-beyond SCCA National Championships. Nevertheless, the facility is nothing less than awe-inspiring, especially the couple-thousand-square-foot tech-inspection garage that houses the scales, room for about 20 vehicles, and new facility rest rooms and showers.

In late Summer 2006, FFW competitors came to play. It was an important race because after Topeka there would only be one event left in the championship points race. Mother Nature tried to dampen the racers' spirits, but the corn country sun gods chased the clouds away by noon on both Saturday and Sunday, allowing a complete event schedule.

Check out the results and hot photos we captured on our trip.