Early Testing at Bradenton
 

I was sent some photos of early testing down in Bradenton Motorsports Park today. Bo Butner, David Barton, Kevin Skinner, Drew Skillman are among the few racers testing. Its a Factory Stock Showdown test day for the most part, but as you can see from the photos, Randi Lyn Shipp is also there in here iconic Firebird.

I hope to get more photos and even some numbers later today so check back.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Looks like there are more teams down there. First photo is Randy Taylor running a 7.99 at 171. Weather conditions are in the mid 70's with
30.20 barometer and some stiff cross winds.

Thanks to Evan Smith for the photos and reports.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Great shots!!! We are really looking forward to FS/XX this year!!!

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Thanks for the pictures Ken. I love the Showdown cars, and I can hardly wait for Gainesville!

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Evan Smith posted some good pics on FB, including a FSXX (presumably) time slip of 7.85 letting off at 156....WOW...and Jim Nichols running his Hemi AA/SA (the ex-Jim Bailey car). Realize FB is a swamp in need of drainage but sure see some good stuff occasionally.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Kevin Skinner ran the 7.82

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

That is why I only follow the drag race pages on FB

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

A few more photos from Evan Smith. The new Ford Whipple Supercharger, intercooler is now on the top. Last photo speaks for itself, Jerry says it Skinner?....might be.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

video:

https://www.facebook.com/ptpracing/v...6645764855848/

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...1b&oe=5CFCAC8A

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

And for anyone like me who is not in Facebook, here's a video of the 7.82 pass in YouTube...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsab7w1zBvU


Going to be a very interesting FS/XX season!

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

It's sad to see NHRA continuing to change the rules and allow parts that weren't on cars when they were built. This class is going the same direction as Pro Stock with the continued "rules creeping/bending of the rules".

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

I don’t think that new blower has been approved yet.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Since they don’t have an official rules package for FS it makes you wonder if at least some of the teams haven’t been given “preliminary” approval. Saw a pic on FB where Gray Motorsports showed their newly arrived pallets full of the Whipple superchargers.

FWIW I stay out of the political BS on FB but with so many tracks using it to communicate schedules, informative technology pages and active FSS/Stock/ etc pages it definitely pays off...you just block what kind of stuff you don’t want to see.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

More testing and the numbers get quicker and quicker. I also have it on good authority that a Stanfield COPO went a 7.74 in Houston.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Someone else posted that is was a Stanfield combination.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Your are correct Brett, I don't know why I wrote the wrong name. Not paying attention when I type, thanks man. I believe it was Steven Bell.

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

16 mph on the back half? Are they lifting?

Re: Early Testing at Bradenton
 

Skinner definitely lifted. In the video, the car appears to be moving around a bit around half track; shortly thereafter he lifted. That's a mid to high 7.70 if he doesn't lift.