Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

First rounds of both Stock and S/S are now completed and sure was some of the most exciting i've witnessed in a long while .With both Ken and I both out early I'll try and give you whatever is possible as I'm sure Ken is out the gate long ago .


Here are a few 1st round pics........More later .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Mike Ficacci (AKA Darth Vader) ask me to do a video so he can see what the fuel pressure is when he leaves the starting line. It turns out to be a cool video, it was first round in Stock and he was running Ron Infantino. Both dials where close and it made for an exciting run. Mike got the win.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Here are a few more from this afternoon ........We had a cameo visit from Evan Smith plus how about Mr.Hemi Mopar driving ( and working on ) a COPO in S/S this afternoon - yep , thats David Barton in the flesh enjoying one of GM's finest .And Mike Letellier was all smiles before round one of S/S .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Here it is fans - another beautiful morning in Pennsylvania with more sunshine and clear skies .At this moment its already in the high fifties with plenty of humidity (54%) that will likely burn off quickly and with a 29.76 barometer it all adds up to a 500' DA . Another fast day is in store for us - which brings us to another question - yesterday more than half the Stock field (57) were faster than -.85 under so is this a "mineshaft rule deal " ? ? I'm no expert on the subject but it sure seems to fit the guidelines .

A couple of records were set - FS/C -Jeff Hull -09 Challenger - 8.992 - 1.302 -#1 Qualifer
M/S -Robert Cosantin - 85 Mustang - 11.87 -.98 under

Round two of Stock is to lead off this morning at 8:45 - ClassRacer will be there for you ! !


Attention in the Pits - almost forgot - if you raced here at 1971 at the Winston Points meet go to the Winners Circle just before Noon to join in the group photo celebrating Maple Groves' 44th year of the race series.Don't miss this oppertunity to see some old friends and make some new ones .If you know someone who was here be sure to let them know.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

More great action photos from John DiBartolomeo - Drag Racing Scene http://www.dragracingscene.com/.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Looks mineshaft to me.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Larry
It was mineshaft as more than half the field in stock went better than .85 under. Friday morning qualifier was -90' DA with a cross tail wind

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Stockers getting ready for third round. Also a few shots of the finish line. This just finished up with Comp, Super Street just called to the lanes followed by Super Comp, Super Stock then Super Gas.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Super Stock in the lanes getting ready to run 3rd round. Super Stock just finished up and Super Gas is up now. The Top classes have been called to the lanes along with Comp.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Stock in the lanes and they just finished up 4th round, Super Street running now, Super Comp up next then Super Stock. At this point its round robin, all winners back to the lanes.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Mineshaft rule will be in effect for this one although the Challenger will still get hp for going more than 1.20 over.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Super Stock in the lanes and are now done with their 4th round. Super Gas up now, things are moving fast. After the next round I will start getting names for the final rounds.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Stock, 5th round is done, but there will be a rerun with Hoven and Thurston. Timing system went down in the middle of their run. Super Comp running now, Super Stock 5th up next, hard to keep up its moving so fast so please bare with me.

Comp is in the semi's, Carnasciale and Aragona, Eckel has the bye.

Carnasciale goes red, it will be Aragona and Eckel in the final.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

We are down to the semi's in Stk and SS. Stk...Daniels vs Hoven and Vignoga vs Bednaz. In SS Alvey has the bye, Worner vs Roell.

It will be Daniels and Bednaz in the final and Roell and Alvey in the final.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Finals...

Comp:
Don Eckel over Frank Aragona

Stock:
James Dainels over Todd Bednaz

Super Stock:
Jeff Roell over Mark Alvey

Super Comp:
Nick Pierson over Kenny Moses


Super Gas:
Jon Pellicane over Matt Schurman


Super Street:
Mark Proulx over Kelli Barbato


Top Sportsman:
Ryan Ondrejko over Robert Bauer


Top Dragster:
Michael Esposito VS Steve Cohen


Make sure you check out DRC, they will have all the numbers posted later tonight. I have some more photos of the winner circle and from the staging lanes. I will post them later tonight when I get home. Thanks everyone for checking in, it has been a great weekend of racing.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Thanks for everything you do Ken, pictures, in car camera & results thru the rounds.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Photos from the staging lanes before the finals.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Winner circle photos. We could not ask for a better day for the finals, all went well and we were done by mid afternoon, a great job from all of the NHRA staff.

On side note, Hot Rod magazine was here to do a story on NHRA sportsman racing. Elana Scherr, staff editor for Hot Rod was driving one of Anthony Bongiovanni's Cobra Jets this weekend. I talk to her for a bit, and Elana was very impressed with all of the sportsman cars, 500 plus that were competing this weekend. She was also very impressed with how tough the competition is. Elana was telling me there is no room for mistakes if you want to go rounds. She had a blast driving in Stock, and can't wait to hit the track again. Its nice to see a main stream magazine taking noticed of our sport.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Congrats Jimmy Danials

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

a few from the weekend....

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

a few more....

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Congrats to Jeff Roell, car owner Jim Beckman,
and the crew
on their Super Stock win.


Mike A114
P/SA

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

I've still got a zillion photos from this weekend and the first bunch we'll just call personalities that were there .............post more later as I sort thru them .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

All hope is not lost George - look in the background. Ray has his back to the Copo, and is talking Hemi!!!

http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/x...psocj4ebll.jpg

The Eagle has left the nest and soaring on his own, But Ray still has 426 Hemi in his veins!!!

Thank you Jack Matayas for the photo. Us Hemi guys will sleep easy tonight!!

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

As promised here are more shots from this past weekend ...........

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

And more .........S/S coming up .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Eliminations summaries from the past weekend at Maple Grove are now up on my website:

http://www.northeastdragrace.com/res...grove-raceway/

Jim

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Stock and S/S round two shots............

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Great video!

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

More S/S action ..........

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Thanks Ken for the pics of my car! That was my first ever divisional race as Richmond rained out and I could not make it back. I had a blast!
Tommy Baker

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Very nice car! Is that a Shaker hood?