"Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Okay guys and girls it's time to shake off that Indy hangover! I'm not technically there yet but I am in North Carolina. I maybe just a little over zealous in getting the thread started but I'm getting ready to race after a self imposed 3 month break so I'm anxious to get this thing started.
What a difference a few months makes as temps promise to be some forty degrees warmer than the last time we were here in March. And that brings up another "cool" fact about the 2016 schedule as the Spring race has been moved back to April.
I should also thank my friends Mr Bud Rowe and the Rowe family because I almost didn't make it as the transmission I installed after Bristol broke after one 300 foot pass down the driveway and Mr Bud loaned me his spare! To top it all off Greg installed it for me Monday morning while I was working. Its great to have such good friends especially since it was my fault and not having my other transmission fixed already.
This also marks the first me and the wife have been racing by ourselves in about 5 years. Her sister is keeping our girls so we can celebrate our anniversary this weekend. Me racing and her shopping of course! It's 2 weeks away but she decided this would be a great opportunity to celebrate since the outlets are only a couple miles away.
I have a few things to settle up business wise in the morning, then we'll hit the road around 10 and hopefully be there by 3. So let's get ready to go racing!!!!

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

We are getting ready to go racing! Good luck to all.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

New motor, Patsy? Or are you bringing the truck back out? Good luck whichever way it is.
Danny Durham

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Good evening from Charlotte. My business this morning took a little longer than expected and we got off a little later than I wanted. Pretty uneventful trip here and arrived at about 4:30 at the back gate, the parking crew was a little indecisive in where I should be parked which cost me close to 30 minutes. Finally got parked, thrower the door down and boogied around to tech at 5:00 according to my phone. Awesome you're thinking! Nope, was told they were done for today. Story of my day, oh well I'm sure the guys at tech had a long day and were ready for a cold one!
So tomorrow, as usual it will be a mad dash. Tech opens at 8am and first qualifying run for us is at 8 also, did I mention I got to get gas also!
I'll have more tomorrow as well as Ms Patsy will also I'm sure!

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

We got our Q1 in this morning without a hitch, I believe there were some indexes wrong at least one anyway that was mine. On hold now for a big cleanup in Super Comp. More in a little while....

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Stock and Super Stock both got their runs in but as we were being called for Q2 we were bumped for Comp...

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Q2 is in the books, they are about to rap up SS now as well. Jim Marshall tells me that Mr Larry hurt his block so I guess I'm the line reporter this weekend. I better get out and snap a few pics since Ms Patsy is not here! Hope you get

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...pstvyce1ue.jpg
Nica Hodges A/SA
Absolutely beautiful car.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...psysla6hxg.jpg
Brandon Peterson D/SA

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...pswdnvzfo4.jpg
Bruno Massel FS/A

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

As you might could tell the picture I got were from the ones of us parked on the opposite side today. NHRA staff did work to find us places on the other side but I decided I would just stay where I was. Seemed too much of a hassle to move now.
Did a little visiting this afternoon and it's that time of year when the rumors start circulating. Some scheduling stuff I heard today was that Charlotte will be having a divisional race next as well as a return back to Atlanta.
We'll be back out with 1st round of eliminations at 8am tomorrow starting with Stock eliminator.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Looks like Roy Hill has gotter goin' straight
this weekend and looks like he is in superstock
this time ...:p qualified great!!

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Yes he does, my understanding is that he thought it was rather amusing at how fast the video made the internet.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Good morning from Zmax! I'm getting a late start on the report this morning but I've been down right busy.
I've been lucky enough to get by the first 2 rounds this morning. First round I had an awesome time running Daren Poole-Adams, what a great race that was we both had a blast.
Second round I found myself lined up with our Rowe Racing Engines team patriarch and the reason I'm in this race to start with! Mr Bud let slide in for the win and as I said earlier I can't thank him enough for all his help. Now I just got to do something with it.
Try to have more later...

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

3rd round of stock got pushed back to 5:10 this evening.
There will be 2 big heads-up runs in Rd 3. Greg Rowe and Joel Warren B/SA and in C/SA it will be Mickey Whaley and Dan Blabolil.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Greg Rowe over Joel Warren when Warren's car stumbled off the line and Mickey Whaley over Blabolil appeared to cut it too close at the stripe and give it up! That's why they run them....

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

I get Mickey next round and the big one will be Rowe and Kevin Helms with a bye to the final on the line. We are waiting for the call back to the lanes but they have extended down time for the oilers and it is getting late.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/...pspakyildr.jpg
Last 6, Semis will be Helms on the bye and Plourd and myself. Wish us luck!

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Cooter, bring home the WALLY, and I'll double your year end Beer
Shipment. J.R.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Well it's Sunday at Zmax and if you're still in you got to be feeling pretty good. I feel awesome, it's just doesn't get any better than this unless you're the last man standing of course.
Just a little note from today's runs, I get The Brad the guy that drives the wheels off everything. Winner gets Kevin Helms, another one that drives the hell out of everything. What am I doing in the middle of these two? Lol
Another note is Kevin will take the National points lead back when he takes the green on his bye.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

I missed a little but we had fun. Congrats to Brad and Kevin should be a good final.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Nice job James!! Its real tough to get to the last few rounds of a national event. When you get there you have to give yourself the chance to win. Brad and Kevin are as tough as it gets. It will get easier as you get to the later rounds more often. You did yourself proud.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Thanks Mike, I definitely knew I needed a good light just pushed it a little hard.
One thing of note and I did not mention on purpose, far be it for me to be the jinx, is Brad was going for the double. He was still in the semi-finals in Super Comp also. He lost in the dragster right after dispatching me.

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

Thanks James for the live reports.

Here are some cool shots from John DiBartolomeo - Drag Racing Scene http://www.dragracingscene.com/

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

A long, long while ago I remember noticing this on the back of Chuck's 69 Camaro SS car.

"I'd rather be lucky than good".

Re: "Live" from the Carolina Nationals@ Zmax
 

I think the funniest thing was Gallagher showing up for the Parade of Champions after the final round wearing his Winston championship hat from '90 Indy. Priceless.