Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals

The engine of Doug Verstuyft's top fuel hydro boat undergoes repairs in the pits before the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008.

photos © Mark M. Hancock / ZUMA



Wayne Hopf works on the the engine of Doug Verstuyft's San Antonio-based top fuel hydro boat in the pits before the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals. The event was a point event for the Southern Drag Boat Association's High Point Series Championship and drew competitors from across the United States and Canada.


Ricky Sanchez of Caldwell, Texas works on his modified eliminator boat in the pits before the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals.


The sign on a boat notes the sports' difference during the competition in Fort Worth.


Todd Byler with Lone Star Tow Boats checks the lanes before the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals on Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth.


Jerrett Silvey of New Braunfels, Texas leaps his top fuel hydro from the rope during the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals. The straight, quarter-mile runs can be completed in about five seconds by the fastest top fuel hydroplane boats.


Daryl Ehrlich of Midland, Texas (No. 318, left) jumps to start a top fuel hydro race. The fastest boats deploy parachutes designed to scoop water at the end of the run.


Randy Benson (No. 411) powers his pro modified boat to an easy win during the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals.


A disappointed Doug Verstuyft of San Antonio (center) get towed back to the ramp after his engine caught fire during the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals.


Steve Westerfield of Lake Forest, Calif. (No. 440, left) and Marcus Kinsey of Marble Falls, Texas (No. 079, right) race blown alcohol boats at Marine Creek Lake.


Ronnie Hodge of San Antonio goes airborne in his modified eliminator boat during a Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals race in Fort Worth.


Vic Fugate of Fort Worth (No. 314, right) takes the lead in his top eliminator boat in Fort Worth.


Garrett Everett of San Angelo, Texas (No. 000, bottom) races against Kevin Crane of Lubbock (No. 065, top) during a stock eliminator run.


Kevin Conklin (No. 828, left) of Midland, Texas races against Ronnie Hays of Oklahoma City (No. 7771, right) in the top eliminator class.


Gary Payne of Lorena, Texas (No. 372, left) races against Brett Cheadle of Tomball, Texas (No. 006, right) in a modified eliminator run during the Cowtown Drag Boat Nationals at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth.