Live from Maple Grove Raceway - NHRA Auto Plus Nationals

[Bob Don]

I noticed on the Mark Faul video that the NHRA took its fancy 'tree with the funky pre-stage and stage home with them. What's up with that? Also - big congrats to Kevin Fogerty for #1 qualifier! Kevin - I couldn't go that fast if I got pushed out of an airplane!

[Bobby Fazio]

I must add that Kevin Fogerty offered to tow me back to my pit spot with his race car after his tremendous qualifying pass! He reversed off the scale and we were about to hook up the strap when the tow truck arrived. What a guy!

[Ken Miele]

More picture and video's.

The in car cam is Thomas Fletcher racing Norm Hall in the GT/BA final.

[Larry Hill]

Ken I thought ss GT/BA had to wear gloves, you know cars that run faster than 10.00 ?

[Jack Matyas]

Good morning - Finally ! ! Its here - race day and a great day it will be .Just like yesterday the forecast calls for sunshine and blue skies without a possibility of a storm of any kind .

This morning there is again "frost on the pumpkins" as they say in these parts as its a chilly 47 degrees at this moment but the Sun will be up shortly to warm things up .

Speaking of the weather dialing this morning will again be a challenge as its a tad better than yesterday morning withe barometer at 29.88 combined with the low temps and a good VP the DA is very close to sea level .

We were to have a 8:30 start but it will more than likely be close to 9 when we get going as this is a very relaxed deal because of the low car count .

For those of you who didn't know yesterday was "Purple Friday" and as you can see Penny Bender was honoring her Baltimore Ravens by wearing the colors while partying last night with Kevin Fogerty Jr. who was celebrating their teams # 1 spot yesterday.

To my friend Lewis - is your picture the result of what happens when you don't use that new fangled strobe thingie ? Or could it be I just didn't turn the flash on ?

Also pictured below is Tony Elmo -Director of Event Services here at the 'Grove who got himself a new Bobcat ride recently .Most of us at sometime or another meet up with Tony and he truly is the racers friend - and a get it done kind of guy ! !

I 'gotta get going as the Suns' coming up ............later

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

Ken I thought ss GT/BA had to wear gloves, you know cars that run faster than 10.00 ?

Only the fast GT/BA drivers have to wear gloves.

[Frank Castros]

Good luck to all and enjoy one of the classic weather days at "The Grove", it will be fast and furious.

[Jack Matyas]

Stock has first round completed -most were .02 to .03 faster than yesterday AM - S/S coming up soon ........Highlites - Totaro over Bender , Szupka over Fletcher - sorry can't tell you more than that .

[Pete Beau]

Good to read that the weather is real nice and racers having fun. Anything to help offset what has happened thus far. Could this weather help remove the black cloud and stigma with Jack? Naaahh! Just kidding and have fun.

BTW, winter forecast is for colder & more snow than last year. Jack's fault also?? Instead of bus tire tracks it will be snow thrower tracks.

[davidhuff]

Thanks for the great pictures,you guys have fun and stay safe.