Live from The Rock

[Beth Denysenko]

Ok, it's fast today. 200 feet. 29.49 barometer. We are out first, running round 2 of the Sportsnationals.

As for yesterday, three runs before Alex's and a few times during Super Rod, there were problems with the staging lights. Nick Folk got two thirds of a pro tree, they stopped, tried it again and it happened again. Then there were the first two bulbs of a .500 tree, no third. I was watching the car during our run, not the tree, so I don't know, but Alex doesn't think he got a third bulb to leave off of. It really doesn't matter, it was just for qualifying but it was frustrating.

[Beth Denysenko]

Another crash. Quick rod this time, driver is out and ok. We are down again. So we've had a HR, SS, SR, QR all crash this weekend so far. And all after the finish line. Not sure what's going on up there, but something isn't right. It's windy again today, but not like it has been. Very very fast. Most picked up a tenth plus. Track had some serious teeth!

[Beth Denysenko]

Just announced. The rest of the events are going to be run 1/8th mile. More later

[Michael Kilduff]

Beth,

Who was the SS that crashed?

I was there saturday, left after the downpour around 1pm.

I spoke with local racer and HR driver Ronnie Crews saturday am, he told me the Vega that crashed ( I think HR, maybe SR) was due to the shutdown area not being dry. I think the driver's name is Webb, not sure though. Ronnie told me the driver told him that just as soon as he touched the brake pedal after the finish line the car went sideways and then over and into the wall.

I guess between the rain and the wind hings are a little tricky there this weekend.

[Beth Denysenko]

Robert Freeman in the pro stock/pump n go superstocker during round one of eliminations on Friday. Heard the brakes completely locked up when he went to apply them right before the finish line.

There's a description on DRC here: http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCSt...r=100#indextop

Ok, the plan to run 1/8th mile is probably the best one made so far this weekend. None of the dragsters, especially the high HP on the top end .90 class cars can keep enough downpressure at the finish line. The track is so darn sticky I almost came out of my laced up tight crew shoes lining Alex up. IHRA really has done about all they can do to give us a good track. It's up to a steamy 57 degrees, a steady 8-10 mph cool breeze and the sun is nowhere to be seen, so keeping heat in the track has been difficult. They have been running the jet up and down trying to keep it warm, but wasnt' working. Plus we keep having crashes and fluids down to slow things up for us. When we do get to go racing, a lot of the down time is our (racer's) own fault with mechanical challenges. So 1/8th mile might solve both problems.

We have been here five days and have now made 6 runs. This event makes the US Nationals look like amateur night where stress level & hurry up and wait is concerned. They are trying so hard to get us running. Schedule changes on the fly to accomodate everyone, it's been crazy.

Due to the 1/8th mile change, they let the remaining .90 classes cars get a time run to reset their throttle stops before they ran the pros. No problems then thank goodness.

Pro mod is going down now. A lot of tire shake, I don't know if any PM has gotten down the track under power the whole way. More when we know more.

[442OLDS]

When racing resumed following about a half-hour cleanup, two pairs of Quick Rod cars and one pair of Top Sportsman cars experienced obvious traction problems around half track.

The problem is apparently caused by the cold racing surface.

In the interest of safety, the remainder of both the Sportsman Nationals and the World Finals will be run at the eighth-mile distance.


If the track is too cold at half track,how is running 1/8 mile that much safer?

[Beth Denysenko]

The problems everyone was having wasw AFTER the finish line. When they were lifting after the run, there was not enough down pressure to fight the wind. And too cold to stick. That is what was explained to us at least. Makes sense.

So far not one issue since they wen't to 1/8th mile. They are running R3 of Hot Rod just now.

[Beth Denysenko]

Another monster oil down by top fuel. We were in the lanes for the last hour and they sent us back. Announced that today we will finish the Sportsnationals and the Summit All Stars. Tomorrow will be one time run, then one qualifier (based on reaction time) for the Tournament of Champions and finish the race tomorrow. Ugh.

[X-TECH MAN]

Originally Posted by Beth Kieffer

Another monster oil down by top fuel. We were in the lanes for the last hour and they sent us back. Announced that today we will finish the Sportsnationals and the Summit All Stars. Tomorrow will be one time run, then one qualifier (based on reaction time) for the Tournament of Champions and finish the race tomorrow. Ugh.

Thats all those leakers are good for. Keeping the track from rusting.

[442OLDS]

Originally Posted by Beth Kieffer

Another monster oil down by top fuel. We were in the lanes for the last hour and they sent us back. Announced that today we will finish the Sportsnationals and the Summit All Stars. Tomorrow will be one time run, then one qualifier (based on reaction time) for the Tournament of Champions and finish the race tomorrow. Ugh.

Its probably starting to get cooler and will be dark soon.

Monday....Finish Sportsnationals
Tuesday....All Stars
Wednesday...Tournament of Champions
Thursday....Awards Banquet?
Friday..Finally come back home?

LOL!