"Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

We are on our way with a big "L" on our foreheads! 2 step problem and we were out 1st round! But after dumping and filling up with water all we need USA fuel stop and we should be there by about 2 Indy time.


Feel free to post and let us know what is happening !'

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Larry and Patsy, thanks for cutting the ribbon to officially kick off the 2017 US Nationals reporting. There are lots of "interesting", important and entertaining topics in the air that will make this one of the biggest threads ever on Class Racer.

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

FYI to everyone -- they're stacking early here, in the main gate field. Rig #48 just pulled in.

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Yep. Started stacking at 9:00AM.

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Probably about 75 here now at 1:30.

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So happy that it's Indy time again too bad for the 1st loss but this Indy thread will be great !

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We are here!!! #88

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We are here also, #113. Gate 8 is closed, use the main gate on Crawfordsville Road 136 for stacking.

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Leaving Sweden tomorrow will be there Tuesday 😁😁
M.Lind

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

I'm here. Number 127.

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Wish I was there I'll be there next year !

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Here number 110 .... listening to bill hawk tell about entering main gate last night without his trailer .... came off on rr tracks by gate 8 .... nice kickoff story for INDY

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Wish I was there too, but my car is still .3 (at least) too slow to make me feel it's worthwhile for a tow of nearly 1700 miles (one way!). I'm working on that, because I want to venture out there to at least have the experience of racing the "Big Go"!!!! Good luck and God Bless all of you who are out there, and I hope you Texan's got away before that Hurricane hit?

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

#168 in line. We left Boston @ 5am and arrived @8.30 pm

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Can someone grab us a number , we'll be there when we finish the 2200 miles we still have left! Rollin in Cali!😜

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Okay Scott, was that smirk a pick on me for having closer to 600 miles less to travel than you do? If so, then hah hah bud. However, you have to remember your car is much closer to running .9 under your index (circa Sonoma 2017) than mine is (Pomona 2016).

I won't make such a trip (on my more meager budget), to just make qualifying and class run(s). I want to have a valid shot at the final qualified field of 128. Moreover, your racing budget is broader than mine too (for now).

Since Stock (as of 12:45am pst), has 161 entries this year instead of 169 from last year, it might not take a run like Ben Wenzel's -0.893 under index to qualify this year. On the other hand Tibor Kadar, BJ Graham, you and Mike (plus improvements from last years non-qualified field numbers), will likely raise the bar to where a -0.92? may be needed to be 128th this year????

Good luck, and safe travels bud....

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

You made good time Rod, leaving here in 5 minutes, which route did you take?

Eric

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Heathrow to New Orleans 9 hours
Belle Rose to stack lot #201 15 hours


Do I hear rain? The Racer

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Got here at 1 am last night, #215.

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Here in the stacking line it is partly cloudy and 60s this morning. We got a little rain last night, then now it is clearing, then more rain this afternoon and tomorrow. We kept hearing rumors yesterday afternoon that we were going to park today, but I could not find anything official. Nothing is happening yet this morning. I sent out my spy (Larry) to check out if anything will happen today! I really hope they make the sensible decision to go ahead and start parking today!!

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Just here
Number 240, about 8AM
Holding pins mowed and solid ground
Supposed to start parking 7 AM tomorrow

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Good morning all, we had a steady rain for most of the early morning hours but it has stopped. The stacking area still looks to be in good shape, with well over 200 rigs here.

I have have conflicting reports when they will start to park us. One local official told us he wants to park rigs today, and will do his best to get that done. A source from Glendora tells another story, and no one will be parked today. With 200 plus rigs here already and another 200 plus coming in the next day, how can NHRA possible get everyone parked in a 8 to 10 hour day unless they stay on all night to park. There may be racers missing their first qualifying shot. Combine that with a back up at the credential line on Tuesday and it could make for a frustrating day.

I can not see the reason for this. If its a financial issue, I would be glad to donate the extra dollars for hotels and a days pay for 3 officials. Lets see, minimum wage 7.25 x 8 hours x 3 officials = 174. Hotel, I will go with a nice one, 200 for a suite so we can get all three in there. Transportation, I will through in a 100 each for fuel or what ever else they need. I get a total of 674. I'm sure there are three relativity local NHRA personnel that would be available. I know of one former NHRA official that every single racer would love to have here. In fact Indy will not be the same with out him. Yes I will say it, " The Redman" ... Probably one of the worst moves NHRA could have ever done. Well my rant is over. I like to support NHRA when I can, but with moves like this, its very hard to understand their logic.

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Here are some pictures from Bowling Green that I could not post there:

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1276.jpg
Larry in tech line. They did tech everyone at Bowling Green!

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1277.jpg
Buddy Hughes K/SA

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1278.jpg
Mike Robinson J/SA

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1280.jpg
Noel Davis

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Just went out for a great breakfast at Flapjacks!

It looks like nothing is happening here today. They say they can park 50 rigs per hour starting at noon tomorrow!! Somehow I doubt that!

Here are a few shots Larry took yesterday:

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1304.jpg
Me and Bobby Brannon solving the world's problems!

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1303.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1302.jpg
Wonder what they race??

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1299.jpg


http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1301.jpg

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1298.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1297.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1296.jpg
Eenie, meenie, minee, mo???

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1295.jpg

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http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1294.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1293.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1292.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1291.jpg

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Larry is way too big to be skulking around as a spy

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http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1290.jpg
Cobra Jet golf cart!!

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1288.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1287.jpg
The Cottens

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1286.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1283.jpg
Mrs. Kenny

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1284.jpg

http://i368.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSCN1281.jpg
Another one from BG! Tommy Turner K/S

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

Will be there bright and early on Wednesday morning and we are staying through Saturday. We can't wait to see all the action!

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I think I have finally gotten my new laptop figured out. Just printed out our tickets!!

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So people who tow 1200-2200 miles may miss a qualifying run because nhra won't start parking today. When will common since ever take effect. Man that stinks....

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Sometimes it seems that people just get off on saying no doesn't it?

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I'm convinced they are products of Human Resources Department training and protocol. Not so okay people determined to make others less so.

Certainly disappointing in so many respects.

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California- liberals

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Well good luck to everyone this weekend and keep up the great reporting! Looks like this is the only Indy I'll be getting this year. Big snafu at work again so here I am.

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Don't see a detailed run schedule yet, is it posted somewhere secret? Planning on coming up Thur and maybe Fri just to spectate assuming stk and ss those days.

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Well just got back from dinner. If they don't hurry up and let us in, we are going to gain 10 # sitting in stacking!!

The last we heard we start parking at 7 am. They plan to park 50 rigs an hour! Should be interesting! Over 300 in stacking now!

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Please explain to me what difference does it make to the NHRA if they park y'all today or tomorrow other than the obvious, labor expense?
This is "The Big GO", the crown jewel, what a freak'n joke.
If someone misses their fist shot because of this decision it will be a shame.
By the way, who was # 1 in line?

Re: "Live" from Indy US Nationals 2017
 

I don't think anyone is gonna miss 1st shot --- But I agree with Ken's analysis- NHRA is cutting cost at the expense of the Sportsman Racers- Old news and just keeps on coming.. The old saying - if you wanna play you need to pay rings a bell-- I don't like it at all myself- but what's the alternative-? a Strike - that's not going to happen -- I wanna race too. Suck it up and get here sooner. -- Good luck to all you guys racing at the Big Go !

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Robert Eaker, was there August 18th. Haha.