"Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Hello from Maple Grove Raceway, what a deference a year makes. The weather for a change... its not raining. The ground is solid as Maple Grove has not seen much rain in the past few weeks. The forecast calls for some rain on Thursday and Saturday, but it does not look like a wash out. With only 242 sportsman cars, getting this race done on time should not be a problem.

We are in the stacking area and there are about 100 rigs here. Parking starts at 8am and unlike Indy it should go smooth. The parking crew was marking off the pit area and we should all get parked in good areas and have it done in a timely manner.

An interesting note on the schedule, Super Stock will be out first on Thursday for Q1, Stockers get to sleep late for a change.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Hi gang - Just pulled in a few minutes ago and I'm # 69 - not too bad considering the hour .And believe me there is not a better feeling than turning into gate 4 and coming here as this has been my 'home' track since the late sixties .

As Ken said in his opening post Stockers will get to sleep in on Thursday because S/S will go out first .Me ?? For the first time in decades I have a chance to get a little extra shut eye and what do I do ??? Yep , I entered SuperStock .Never get a break - never ! ! !

Tomorrow will be just like every other National event lately -Wednesday is for parking -make believe tech and shine your stuff up for the camera that's pointed at your whip.

More in the AM ………….

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

I’m in the wrong line of work. Getting to a race on Tuesday is impossible......hell Thursday is a stretch.......Maybe when I retire in 20 years.....lol

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Talk about a boring day - fix this - get parts for that , you know the drill .And then there is tech and tickets - more yawning ! !

They sent out a notice that S/S will start an hour early tomorrow because of bad weather coming .Great -now I'll get less sleep and bad weather . Good news is because there are less entries most racers like their pit spots.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Parking went well, they started at 7:45 and empty the lot by 11. Lots of nice spots to park, plenty of room for all. Tech line was also easy and fast. Like Jack said start time has been moved up to 9am. The local forecast is showing a chance of rain later afternoon, I think we will be okay.

I found a few race cars out an about, if I get any new info I will be back.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

A few more...

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Couple of drips coming down and the sky looks ugly -maybe it will pass.Have you ever tried to capture lightning ?

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Only in a bottle....:rolleyes:

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Good morning everyone, we had a little rain over night. The track dryer is out and we should be starting on time with Super Stock Q1 at 9am. Its humid out and temps will be in the low 80's today with a slight chance of a showers during the day. Since Stock is not out until after Super Comp I have time to shoot Super Stocks Q1. Its going to be tough to get all of Stock, but if I make a good run in Q1, I can skip the other qualifying and I will get all of Stock.

Be back later....

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

A few pics from Q1 Stock

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Are the girls part of the Jumpin' Jack Flash cheerleading squad?LOL!!
Good luck. Wish I was there.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Yes we need to ask Jack about that...

Super Stock is done with round 1 of Class. Most classes had only 2 cars, as the combo classes were the largest. With only 58 cars its to be expected. Super Comp is running now and Super Stock is in the lanes for 2nd round of class. Here is some Super Stock action, I also have some Stock action coming next

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Stock action, be back later with more Stock and Supoer Stock.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

We were done a couple of hours ago. We finished everything but the last class final. A heavy thunderstorm came through and ended the days racing.

John Armstrong got the win over Gary Richard as he was faster in qualifying. More action from Stock...

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Next batch...

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Super Stock action...

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Next batch...

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Yo Ken,

Pictures are getting better and better. Not having to worry about changing film and taking a burst of 5 to 10 pictures off the line is nice, (at least it takes me that many to get the ones I send to Classracer).

Good luck,
Butch from SC

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Hey Butch, I still have to do lots of editing, and I still need to up my game.

Good morning all, its cloudy, coldish (60) and damp. We had light rain on and off all night. You just new you could not get away with a rain free Maple Grove national, it just can't happen. Track dryer is out and start time is still 9am, Stock out first.

More action from yesterdays Stockers...

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Another batch....

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Kudos to the boss for taking and posting so many pics. Your car looked good first round, 8.50’s is flying, and first car down the track. See Perone slapped the wall past the finish line, hope he and car are okay.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Hey all, The bad news its raining, a light mist. The good news is that Stock, Super Stock, Super Comp and Super Gas got their two eliminations runs before the rain came.

James is okay and the car has slight damage, nothing he can't fix.

Here are some random shot from yesterday, I had no time to get any today. The first photo is the ice man, if you run a blower car ice is a must have, I swear we spend more on ice than we do fuel. Also I little down time as clean up is in progress.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

A few more, there is still a light mist. Its going to be one of those days.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

A few shots from rd1 of Stock...…….A couple of the photos show the huge handicaps given - Bob Bender in his lumbering Kingswood wagon won his round against Mike Iacono in his killer Supercharged Cobra Jet and Gary Richard driving his big block 69 Camaro won his race against Lauren Kanuik in her 77 Grand Prix .The H/SA heads-up between Jimmy D and Dan Lynch was taken by Dan in the battle of Camaros .And check out Joe Lisas' super sanitary black 68 Camaro .

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

As racers most of us like a good run by anyone. Capps just went 339 mph at 3.83

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Notes from today..... Mike Epprecht in P/SA went 1.236 under in first round. He lost and was told go to the barn. He was torn down and passed with no issues. The weather this morning was 10 to 15 better than yesterday.

Tomorrows start time is 10am for Stocks 3rd round. There is a 30% chance of rain between 8 and a 11am, so who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Good morning guys, and its another cool morning, 58 and the present time. It is supposed to go up to the mid 70's with partly cloudy skies today. The forecast has changed a little as a slight chance of rain may happen around 1pm.

Here are some more photos that did not make prime time.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

As usual, you guys are doing a great job. many thanks, & hope u can keep it up. Glen H

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

I hit the wrong button. I hate fuel cars !

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Go Bob Bender!!! The ole Fat girl is kicking arse!!!

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Here is a new one - a Stocker ( or S/S or FS/XX ) in Comp - and he won first round ! ! !

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Round three of S/S and Stock this morning …………….Rd 4 coming up soon as there is the possibility of weather coming in .

As you can see from the pic Miss Penny was overjoyed that hubby Bobby Bender won his round .

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Great job Bob and Ms Penny we had a blast rooting you on this weekend!!!

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Stock got rd 4 in before the rains hit .Both Bobby and Mrs.Doll went out .

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Some top end action from Super Stock round 4.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

He got a single in rd 2.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Great top end shots Ken.

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Great shots and coverage Yo Ken

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Thanks James, its was a tough week for you. You're the man, y'll be back better than ever.

Sorry Folks, the internet went to crap. Today's weather was perfect and the Sportsman finished before the pros, they way it should be. They all got their interviews in front of the crowds, it was a good day for all. Check back later, I have photos from the semi's to the end.

Super Stock...
Herbie Null over John DiBartolomeo

Stock.....
Joe Santangelo over Randi Lyn Shipp

Re: "Live From" Maple Grove, NHRA Nationals
 

Great coverage and photos. Thanks Ken!!