Live from Maple Grove - NHRA Auto - Plus Nationals

[rognelson777]

weather update, just watched local phila weather channels for next few days all 3 major channel's wed 11 pm weather forecasts clearing late am thursday, sunny and high of 80 friday . saturday warm clear am then clouding up and rain. sunday cold and rain as front moves in. They all sounded firm on thurs and friday.

saturday and sunday. sounded like they did not have a clue what is going to happen

[Jack Matyas]

Good morning and welcome to day 1 at the 2012 edition of the Auto-Plus Nats .When I awoke this morning I was greeted by a very unfriendly sound - the pitter-patter of raindrops on my coach roof - not a good sign .The weathermen did call today right for once - they said it would rain this morning and it is .Last night I was told the one sure way they knew of for it not to rain at this race - for me to stay home ! ! Thanks guys ...........I 'd leave this morning to help out but I'm already stuck and can't move ..........

This is going to be a very , very long day ..........not sure what the NHRA's plan is but I'll pass it along when I get it .The only good news for today is that its very unseasonably warm but that has brought with it some huge fog banks .

Overheard last evening - " Have to finish this bottle of wine so I can put the empty out - tomorrow is recycling day " .........hmmmmmmmmmm. We all do our part .......

Even though the grounds are very soft Lex Dudas and the staff here at Maple Grove have the place looking very spiffy - now if we could only race .

Later ............

[jmcarter]

It will be interesting to see how many folks go down the track during your first qualifying pass. According to the event registration page there has only been 3 withdrawals each from Stock and Super Stock. Have to hand it to you D1 folks, you're die hard racers to the core. Hope it dries up for a pass today and the surface holds up.

[Jack Matyas]

Noon update -- I've got good news and bad - they pilled the plug on today as it just wasn't going to happen .Good news is I just got pulled out of my mudhole and relocated to higher ground - wish I could tell you the racers name who pulled me out but I couldn't thank him enough for hooking up his dually Ford Diesel ( yes, Ford ) 4x4 and yanking me out .

And since I'm handing out thanks I'll throw some at my friend Penny Bender for the nice ham and egg breakfast this morning .

Its raining again ..........

[skills]

Hey Jack and Ken just a heads up. It is pouring here in Hershey so I assume you guys have what an hour or so. Thought about coming down tomorrow but with the spotty weather and the possibility of limited runs for sportsmen I will just wait till next week at the dutch. Good luck everybody and god bless.

[Ken Miele]

Thanks Skills, but I think it might miss us. Like Jack said they pulled the plug for today. Tomorrow we all get one run and then later in the day first round for stk and ss. Here is a link to the schedule.
http://www.nhra.net/2012/images/NHRA...d-Schedule.pdf

Here are some shots of the pits from the top of my motorhome. Anywhere there is a dry spot they are parking rigs.

[joe176]

Man I don't miss the Maple Grove Mud Fest....been there ...done that....glad I'm home working

[Jack Matyas]

Believe it or not the big storm that was coming missed us - everyone has spent the day digging out or helping someone get pitted .Or get teched -- or just plain standing around bench racing or --- well, you get it - what a waste of a day .

And there are still rigs parked in the staging lanes .

If you're looking for some free swag - stop by the Chevrolet Performance area - sign in with your email and they'll give you a nice backpack bag - did I mention the free word ?

Later ........

[Jack Matyas]

With not much to do this afternoon I went roaming around the pits for some new shots - first , I found Jim Boburkas' new 2012 Chevy COPO Camaro 427 LS7 car - it a beauty as you'll see .