Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

Check out the story on Competition Plus,
our photos are the ones of the new car

http://www.competitionplus.com/drag-...re-s-checkmate

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

It is our sincere hope that everyone who took the time to read this article read these two paragraphs:

In the eyes of many, the current crop of factory-built race cars, which includes COPO Camaros, Cobra Jet Mustangs, and Drag Pak Challengers, is the reincarnation of the original production-based Pro Stocks of the early '70s when more than 40 cars would show up for national events. The advent of NHRA's Factory Stock Showdown has provided an arena for heads-up, all-out sportsman drag racing.

"We both believe that the late-model musclecars are the future of doorslammer drag racing, and we'd like to do our part to take the Factory Stock Showdown to the next level," Keener says. "Racer comments on various Internet forums indicates that many feel these cars do not belong in Stock Eliminator, and I don’t blame them. However, there were 30 cars at the U.S. Nationals this year, so I'm optimistic that we'll see the program blossom into its own eliminator someday."

Let's hope that for the good of Stock Eliminator Drag Racing that this wish comes true.

Thanks and hope to see a lot of old friends next week at Columbus!

MK

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

looking forward to seeing you and Paul next week.

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

The rumor at Indy was that the Factory shootout will be the new Pro Stock in a few years.

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

Mike, looking forward to seeing you and Merc back out there!

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

looking forward to seeing the team back on the track.

DJ Raiser

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

I heard the same rumour last week. I'd be good with it, the FS cars are a lot more 'stock' than Pro Stock.

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

If you read Larry Morgan's article on Pro/S than you can see the new FS/S Would Be Great For The New Pro Stock Class.

The Pro cars now cost WAYYYY to much money to run.

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

Mercs golf game must be getting old, so its back to the strip.


Hammer


Come on down south, 2 grade points in a couple weeks.
Gainesville and Reynolds points meet in Oct.

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

I'd buy a ticket to see that! Are you listening NHRA?
I can Imagine 40+ cars showing up to qualify with lots of new and old teams represented. They just need to get a handle on the rules early so it doesn't get carried away like the current Pro Stock class.

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

I agree with you Mike, but don't forget,,, before the current rules took affect there was all the "factoring" that went on throughout the '70s and early '80s where the wheelbase/ cubic inch/ Hemi vs evryone, Cleveland vs Chevys and all the brand favoring,, Mopar dropping out, Glidden combos being banned ( remember when he ran a Monza), and other unfair regulations that came about,,, it was nuts!
I'd love to see this eventually happen with the new cars, but theres got to be equal rules for all makes involved. Not too sure that can happen.
Danny Durham

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

Regardless of what NHRA does or doesn't do with the Factory cars, I'd already thrown out some ideas this winter about showcasing Factory Stock and Factory Pro Stock (SS/AA, SS/AAA) in some heads-up racing at the Northern Class Nationals. To do so would require participation from the racers and the factories. Ford is leading their way in terms of event and racer support for this type of racing. Will Mopar and Chevrolet step up? Will the racers support it?

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

I don't know or follow Fletcher.......but he apparently like the "checkmate" name so much he's used it on his own cars.........but I think Mercure was first.

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

Seems like that snowball is rolling down hill and gaining steam. Similar to the Larry Morgan post on this site and InsideCompRacing.com.
RonP

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

To respond to joespanova, Dan Fletcher's Dad named his Camaro "Checkmate" when the car was 1st raced back in late '68 or '69. Don't know when Mr. Keener and Mr. Mercure put that name on their Camaro.
I remember seeing it in the early 70's when they ran M/P and Gas class, so maybe Mr. Fletcher Senior had it 1st.
Maybe Dan will chime in.
Walt

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

Mercure # 1 quifer at Maple Grove:

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

I think you are wrong.
Checkmate was a popular TV show in the early 60's.
First one I remember was John Archambault , A/MP 68 Cuda in Division 1 .
Late 60's ...about the same time as when Dan's car was brand new

Re: Keener & Mercure on Competition +
 

Think the 'Cuda came a few years later...Believe John was running the
'Hydrophobia" in the time frame you mentioned....