K. Gerhart

IF UPSETS can be said to occur in Combat, the 1978 Nationals was the place for them to occur. In the Open Fast event, former Nats winner Dick Stubblefield failed to survive the first round. Other such "heavies" in Combat as former Nats winner Sherwood Buckstaff, Howard Rush, and Mike Guthomsom all failed to make the top eight. Rich Brasher, considered by many to be a top threat with his super-fast Foxes and tight turning Rotation Stations, lost to a Fox 36X-powered Voodoo skillfully flown by John Jo. There were many excellent fliers among the unknowns and there were few easy matches for anyone. When all was said and done, Phil Granderson emerged victorious by a few points over Mike Tallman.