Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Toyo Tire Nationals

[Jack Matyas]

How about a miracle -- thats what it was tonight -- AT 4pm I would have bet against any cars ever going down the track tonight and yet all the Pro's got a lick in -- and for the first time in many , many races the stands were packed with real paying fans -- not that freebie stuff . Maple Grove and NHRA did do their part in trying to help fans afford coming to the races by offering a special ticket rate after 5pm tonight only -- 19 bucks a head -- not a bad deal for them to see a Pro show and fireworks afterward .

Tonight it was eat on the run -- stopped by Uncle Buck's for quick couple of goodies and then it was off to the LaBreaque compound for dinner and then met some friends here for a drink - whew ! ! ! I'll sleep tonight for sure . Also thought some of you would like seeing the sunset tonight -- words can't describe ....later .

[Jack Matyas]

Update Friday 11pm EST -- And then the rains came back ! Just like they said they would and ugly , very ,very ugly........is it Hurricane Bill ? ? Local flooding is expected tonight with more thunder storms on their way tonight and tomorrow .... very bleak outlook for Saturdays activities ............but I've been wrong all weekend so.............or maybe another miracle is in order .

Also wanted to mention teardown was held today with four S/S cars getting the full treatment and four Stockers getting a minor deal ( carb off etc but not a cylinder head ) --I'll try and get a list and results tomorrow .

[Jack Matyas]

Rain came down heavy about an hour ago but nothing since . The folks here must know something I don't ( which is entirely possible let me assure you ) about this weather front as they had the vacumn out this morning already .The latest numbers are 73 degrees with 81% humidity and 102 grains of water -- yep , its wet out . We're presently at 2600 feet and climbing - oh, and the barometer a whopping 29.28.No Sun this morning - cloudy and very overcast with heavy fog but lifting somewhat . None of this sounds not very good for racing but just like yesterday anything is possible .All of this kind of makes you want to just stay in bed 'till it all goes away . Nah !

[Joe DeMarzo]

Jack, After last night I thought you would be sleeping in till at least 7am. Thanks for the reports, great job.

[Pistol Pete]

Jack

The reports & pictures are Great. You must have a part time job nobody knows about.

I guess with the weather report from Mr. Parker i will be staying home today.

Enjoy & keep the "stay at homes" informed. You do it so well.......




Pistol Pete

[dean ribeiro]

Jack:
you should leave selling used cars to the professionals! LOL
keep the reporting job; as you have fornd your niche'.

hope to see you at the season ending dutch...


Dean

[TOM KASCH]

Jack,
Last week my Dr asked about drag racing and what was the most important part;
I said "LUCK"
so many races are won on luck, sure skill but you have to be lucky with everyone being about =.

2nd would have been : MONEY !
as a lot of good racers stay home because they don't have the $500.00 or so a week to race NHRA div. or maybe $ 1,000 for a National..

Tk 3300

What would you have said ?

[art leong]

Originally Posted by TOM KASCH

Jack,
Last week my Dr asked about drag racing and what was the most important part;
I said "LUCK"
so many races are won on luck, sure skill but you have to be lucky with everyone being about =.

2nd would have been : MONEY !
as a lot of good racers stay home because they don't have the $500.00 or so a week to race NHRA div. or maybe $ 1,000 for a National..

Tk 3300

What would you have said ?

I'll agree with you on that.
There are quite a few real good racers. But the luckiest one is the winner. You need the right breaks at the right time.

[Jack Matyas]

Another miracle -- it hasn't rained since about 8:30 and they are a half hour from racing I've been told by Pit Control people .S/S is out first with round #1 as they are warming them up now .Speaking of S/S -- yesterdays teardown brought four of them to the barn and only one came out legal -- more later .Six stockers were picked but only three won first round for a mini-check and all were OK .

Pictured below is some of the equipment the NHRA brought out this morning to dry us out .Also is one of the NHRA's Safety Safari GMC dually pick-ups which will soon be collectors items after this year since Ford will be the "Official Truck" .

[thomas sheehan]

1050am.... update

SS'ers were in the lanes...
SS'ers were told to "go back to the pits"..... we got squirters again!

They will start with Pro Motorcycles when it dries.

Sun is shining