Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

160 Stockers That's awesome!
Soo are we still talking about the "detriment" of Class racing?
Good luck this weekend Larry

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Yes had a DNQ at Indy in ‘08 for being light at the scales, not because of not running fast enough. To me there is a big difference. But ether way I was not fully prepared.

Now back to the race. For me the best race of the day, it took place after dark, it was the heads up SS/GA race between Jimmy jr and Wagnor. The race featured two great drivers with two closely matched cars. A fuel injection LS1 vs carburetor on a Gen 1 Camaro.

The track ran until it was too cold to be safe.

We changed to Super Stock so we would get at least two runs , a Q1 and a Rd. 1. I have to get the car to go A to B better.

A view from the tower. Yesterday’s time in the tower filling out the Super Stock tech card was a real different experience. A computer illiterate old man was probably fun to watch trying to get everything in the correct place to get registered for race two, but that is for different post. What I observed was how many different sets of eyes are watching the track and the almost instant communication when something out of the ordinary happens. The whole crew is very focused on our safety. “STOP” was said loudly and the starter shut cars down. “We still have one on the track” and yes they did past the scoreboards.

I would be slighting a true professional if I failed to to mention Allen the voice of NHRA. I don’t know how he has such a variety, volume, and enthusiasm for the long hours of entertainment and smiles he provides us with! Thanks from all of us.

Weather at 6:35AM 43* 81% 30.52 -1488’

We still have four rounds of race one left before we start race two.

Almost forgot “Redman is in the house” we spoke a few minutes and he is very much alive and well.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

It looks like it's pretty chilly there this morning.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

DA -900 ft.

Randy Wells
I/S 5628

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

How hard was it to switch from Stock to Super Stock ?

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Just to clarify or confuse a bit more! There were 8 stockers that went up to run the Clean Up Q at about 11:30 pm. I was there, saw the cars, wrote down their names. They had all ran at least 1 Q , but either had missed Q1 or elected to sit out Q2 which was during the heat of the day! I dont have the Q sheets to look back at, but was watching Live Timing and taking notes.
I was No. 129 after Q2!
Some of us didn’t hear or were’t smart enough to know you could sit out Q2 and wait for better conditions.
I thought a Clean Up Q was for cars that had not been down the tracK at all!
According to my notes at least 1 car appears to have made 3 passes.
2 of the 8 in the Clean Up Q got in and bumped 127 and 128 out.
I was bumped to 131. The only alternate that got in was 129!

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

By .009 my bud Brent Kopejtka missed joining me as the only major FWD NHRA event winner this century/decade in Stock ....DAMN!!!!

I wanted Brent to win, rolled out the welcome mat, and watched the race at the end of my lunch break. Congrats on making the final round Brent, and go get 'em in race #2!!!!

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

I think Brent moved into the top 10 in division 5 with his runner-up. Nice job!
Nice Job Bobby as well!

Paul

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Super stock is running Q1 for Race 2 now. They are running round 1 of super comp and super gas tonight and Stock is on standby for round 1 tonight. At least we are in the show for super stock tomorrow! Race 2 in Stock went mineshaft! 143 cars with #128 being-.698.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

They have cancelled Stock for tonight. Start at 8 in the morning with super street then regular rotation

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Larry I'm curious of what the DA was to allow for the field being so quick? My guess is it was awesome air then? I ask because when I ran a 14.994, the DA was 755 per my weather source in Phoenix last March.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

That means you all get to race on Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY!!!

Good luck and thanks for the updates Larry!!!!

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

The air was good enough for McNeil Freeman's Taxi to run 14.30 on a 15.50 index 4th round, horsepower on Monday?

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Around -500’

Well for my efforts in super stock I have the privilege to race Justin Jenkins. I made the correct decision and entered SS at least I will get a second run at a good track to get some data. I would not have qualified in stock. Stock was a tough place to play this race. Any slip-up’s and you were on the outside looking in.

We have not spoken with everybody but support for the double divisional race has been overwhelming. For classes that have a qualified field two qualifying runs should be the norm. Some racers are sitting out today because of only one Q run and they had a slight problem and did not make the show. I don’t know what the answer is but I know “All Run” is not the answer. Stock and Super Stock are performance based fields.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Gary, when you are curious about the DA at a race, ….check out airdensityonline.com …….pretty handy site …..keep in mind the St.Louis track is located in Illinois….

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Did the 2nd race get completed ?

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Cooter Hidalgo over Joe Santangelo in stock.
Mark Nowicki over Cooter Hidaglo in SS.

Congrats to all, especially to Cooter for being in both finals!

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Congrats Cooter keep racking up them points !

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

I dont know who was in charge of track prep,you are the man congrautions, thank you from a racer,marvstrick 2700

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Their are a few of us in round two that would disagree. When the car spun in round two it went to 8400 rpm and the safety saved the engine from major damage. Now all I have to do is check to see if it hurt itself. Let’s just say the left lane when I went to race had very wide thin spots that you could see the concrete. All in all the track was good all weekend, until the starting line crew told themselves “That will do”. It’s been my experience that “That will do” usually won’t!

Round 1. 1.266 in 60’. Round 2. 2.345 in 60’

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

My first time at St Louis and my last. Worst track prep ever. When you can see the bald spots inside the car! It’s bad, lost second round due to spin in the good lane!

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

+I watched the races on and off it seemed to me the first race the traction was not as good as in the 2nd race I am wondering if the traction compound was changed ??? just inquiring for a friend

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Don I saw PJ1 and Vp methanol drums behind the tower.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Track prep has been the topic of conversation around the pits at many events this year. I am no expert, but I would think it should be fairly easy to be consistent with the prep work. Drag the track, spray the track and make sure no bald spots. Not the entire deal but at least the basics.

I have seen a cobra jet mustang almost crash when the prep wasn't consistent. The comment was that the s/c dragsters aren't spinning. A 9 inch tire is much different than a 14 inch tire and the car is MUCH different.

I watched Hannah Line's car go into the wall, very scary. Was that in any way due to track prep after an engine issue by a competitor.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Ron on the telecast Reinhart said that Hannah had a suspension failure which caused her accident.

No doubt keeping an eye on bald spots is hit and miss at most tracks. The best I’ve witnessed is Galot with BG being a close second. Having someone spot for you is almost essential everywhere else when you’re on a nine inch tire.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

I don't believe Alan saw it happen, until after she was turned around.
It looked to me like the rf brake locked up . Maybe the ball joint broke on that side ?

Missing Unk...

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Big changes in Super Stock over the weekend.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Traction was great for us for two successive weekends. Yep we did not qualify for the second race but that is totally on me. Coming out of the wheelstand the car drifted into the marbles and did not responding…like I said totally on me. I do the best I can and Brenda does the best she can….I trust her decisions without reservation!!!

Yes there were the occasional bald spots…what track does not have them. The starter did a great job of trying to give all competitors an equal chance. If y’all think you can do a better job than the starter please feel free to talk to your Division Directors.

As far as Hannah…ask Lance or Hannah! She did an absolutely great job in a very bad situation!!! A situation in which some keyboard warriors here would have had a different and much worse outcome.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

First,I thought the track prep was excellent.
After 2nd round of the 2nd race,I went over to the concession stand to get a couple of $2 brats.(How can you pass up a deal like that?).
Standing in front of me was a guy that I thought looked familiar.He was talking to somebody about how he may never come out to an NHRA Divisional again,because he was frustrated at all of the people complaining,Turns out,he was Kurt Johnson who has a ton of experience in track prep and knows what he is doing.
I told him to not let a few people bring him down with the complaints.
The biggest takeaway from this was that if you thought the track prep was bad,you haven't seen anything yet if he decides to not do it anymore.

Our cars do not run that far under the index,but we very happy to qualify.
Had we not qualified,it would have been ...."Hey,you need to work on your car"

So if you thought the track was bad......maybe......."Hey,you need to work on your car !"


https://www.dragzine.com/features/tr...ps-for-tracks/

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Jim, I missed that comment by Alan.

Track prep has many variables, including weather - hot or cold, for instance. Thank you for your comments.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Cars can be repaired, that’s why we have body shops. Thank the Good Lord Hannah made it out unscathed. I would never underestimate Hannah’s driving ability when disaster strikes. After all, ……she is a LINE …….

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

The most important part of the Hannah Line accident was her being able to walk away. That is, and always should be, the number one priority in ANY wreck on the track. The wreck could have been much, much worse. She handled it VERY well.

With the way the cameras were aimed (split screen) I, or anyone else, could not see the entire incident.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Keeping the starting line hooking over this last weekend had to be a major undertaking for our starter Brad B and crew. Cool temperatures and record turn outs for the two races had to give the track surface a real beating. Plus it had fuel cars on it the week before. There are some very fast and powerful cars running in Stock these days on 9 inch tires. And they are going rounds and winning races. Have they got something figured out that others dont ?

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

The track was good for me on every pass/
wheels up in the air I had trouble trying
to keep wheel stands in control

We even had the best head up race of the weekend
with both of us throwing the kitchen sink at
the set ups Both of us had double 00 lights
wheels ups and side by side the whole way

i has happy with the track prep

David

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Thanks for the link 442Olds , very informative article about track prep.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Well since the engine skyed to 8400 before the safety helped. to protect it I will be working on it to check for damage. For me and a few others the starting line crew gambled and in my opinion lost by skipping track prep after S/C was run. They dusted, sprayed, and drug after Super Stock for S/G. It makes zero difference now but why did we, Super Stock, get short changed. Was our money’s not green enough

Watching on YouTube showed my car with 115.5 wb starting to transfer weight only to run over the bald spots and literally smoke the tires. Will you experience racers please help me get past the bald spots. Thanks in advance.

Almost forgot to mention as long as the starting line did not try to skip a little track prep I had zero problems.

Just some thoughts from an old guy with a new car.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

Don't worry Larry you can get more HP off all your combos now.

Winning!

or is it Whining?

Even you admit you need to do more work on the Challenger.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

We had zero traction issues.

Re: “Live “ from St Louis D3 double divisional
 

I feel NHRA values saving money and getting home early over our safety. I am not sure it’s understood the money/time invested and the passion we all have to race. Is it too much to ask we be given the best and safest conditions to pursue our dreams of taking home a Wally?

Well said Mr. Spectre

This copy and paste stuff is pretty cool. Yes I did have a rotary flip phone.