Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey guys, the Baby Gators are in the books. Super Stock was a single, as Kevin Riner broke the motor in the semi finals and could not make it for the final... Corey Taylor takes the Super Stock win on a solo final.

Tim Barrett in his wheelstanding Camaro takes the win over Randy Wilkes on a double breakout. Tim also was the number one qualifier and G/SA class winner... I guess you could say he got the hat-trick, well done Tim.

Photo of the final in Stock, and I'm so sorry guys... my camera decided not to focus in the Stock final. The rest of the photos are random shots of the day.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Great Job Ken. Appreciate all you do for the Sportsman Racers and also for giving me a place to post my pictures. Hopefully I don't duplicate too many.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Another one.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

One more.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Thanks Butch, no worries... we can never have to much when it come to photos. Your photos are great.... thanks so much.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Last one. There is another Micro Strategies car that ran the Baby Gators. See last picture just for Ken's Sponsor.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Thanks Ken for all the reports and pictures ! Are you staying for the big Gators ?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Frank, I am staying for the Gatornationals, and thank you.

Good morning folks, its a off day and i have to run out and do some errands today, but I will be back later with more photos from this past weekend... and some thought on the Baby Gators.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Teardowns? Tech? Tech personnel?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

I would like to get in touch with Tim Barrett if someone would let him know. My email is butch2246@aol.com. Thanks.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

I texted Tim your info

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Ken, congratulations on class. And, maybe stay south. LOL, just kidding.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Thank you. Want to see if he would like some complimentary photos.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Thanks Tony, ha... I was hoping you would be here, it would have been fun.

Hey guys, well its Tuesday and not much to do, no working on the race car which is always good. The weather forecast is spotty... I hope we can get it all in this week.

The Baby Gators were great, weather fantastic. Some ask about tech, there were a few cars DQ'd for Class. I don't know all the details on the combo's, but cars were being checked.

I have to thank the parking crew, I don't know all the names... Dan is the one I see most, he seems to be at every race I go to. Anyway they got us all parked within 3 hours last Tuesday, great job guys.

I was surprised so many Stk and SS cars dropped out, maybe the forecast was the reason. Here are a few shots from Stock this past weekend... I have more and will be back later.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Junior Stockers!!!

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Love the Jr Stockers

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Has any weather come through yet?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Has NHRA communicated when (and IF) the sportsman classes will run?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

We had a little rain this morning, then about 4pm we had heavy rain. It has stopped, but it looks like it may start raining again.

NHRA has not told as anything different so far, below is the schedule...

http://www.nhra.net/2022/images/NHRA...ule_GF1_22.pdf

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

I'm guessing they are planning on running Monday or Tuesday as they sent an email today giving us the option to withdraw. I went and got the car today as I work a regular job and could not be there next week, Still a lot people around and some pulling when I got there at 3:30 today.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey guys, the rain starting up again... it looks like it will be with us until the morning but who knows. More cars dropped out, NHRA said we could withdraw even though we are past the deadline.

As far as national event photos, NHRA has decide that Class Racer is not the proper media outlet for starting line access. I still have access to division races, but NHRA will not issue me media credentials at national events anymore. I thought it was a mistake, but the said forums do not meet their criteria. Class Racer has had media access for over 5 years, I guess they are not interested in promoting the sportsman racer. My monthly readership is 40,000 plus... with 2 million plus views a month, all targeted to the sportsman racer. I am perplexed that NHRA is not interested in getting free publicity to promote their sport.

Sorry for the rant, I just don't get how NHRA works anymore. They claimed we as sportsman are important... and I don't want to toot my own horn, but Class Racer has to be one of the largest media outlets for the sportsman racer.

I will still get photos from the stands and the pits, just not the starting line.

I few more shots form last weeks race...

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Ken, that seems to be a very poor decision on NHRA'S part. I would
like to think that it is a mistake, and upon further review, your credentials
would be reinstated. We are told we are an important part of NHRA, and
situations like this are hurtful to all. Is there a traffic jam of photographers
at the starting line when Stock/SS is running? Are you bumping elbows
with peers from USA Today, New York Times, Sports Illustrated, etc.?
Who are these people they are holding spaces for when we run?
Class Racer is THE place for NHRA Stock/SS, and a few more classes,
I hope this is poor communication and is quickly resolved with an apology,
and a Thank You for what you do for the sport.

J.R.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Ken
I speak for myself but I’m sure lots of racers will agree to this:

You do so much for the Sportsman racer with your “ Live From”
News, pictures, in car camera videos and I’m sure that’s not even
1/2 the things you do.

It’s a shame NHRA is treating you this way and your right, it doesn’t seem
like they care to promote any sportsmen classes.

I enjoy your big money s/ss races that you promote at Numidia and hope they
continue to happen.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Follow the money. who knows how or why but money somehow plays into you from being on startingline

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey Ken what exactly did they say ?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

In my humble opinion the National Hot Rod Association is one of the most mismanaged organizations on the planet. They are just clueless!

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey Glenn,

The first email said there is a limited amount of space for media. I said I don't need space in the media center, I just want to take photos of the sportsman. I'm only on the starting line short time. I emailed asking if this was a mistake. In the second email they told me I did not send prof of past coverages... no problem there, I sent them the races that we cover. The third email said, they don't give out media credentials to forums or message boards. NHRA media has always been good to me, they were always professional and easy to work with. I guess the rules have changed, but who knows.

Its there playground, and I have to deal with. Its just makes me wonder if a super forum like LS1tech.com with a million members would be turned down also. Forums reach so many people and the reach them instantly, its hard to understand there logic.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

I wonder if an online petition might convince NHRA? Ken's viewership could create a huge petition. Ray

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Yo Ken,
That just doesn’t make sense to most all of us. They have their National Dragster photographers and Auto Imagery, which shows 3 employees in Glendale, Ca. And they are always there for the “show” but not always for sportsman. Hopefully they will rethink their decision, it’s not like you are selling them.
I’ll continue from the bleachers and posting here for all to see without any watermarks or copyright restrictions.
Good luck with the race and the weather.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey guys, thanks for the support, it is what it is.

It looks like today will be a washout. We had to get at least 2 inches of rain last night. It stopped about 7am, but it started up just as they called Stock to the lanes. Its coming down pretty good now. I will update if anything changes. I do have some more photos and will post later.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

NHRA was out early drying the track this morning. They were to the point of dragging and spraying the track when it started to rain, AGAIN! Racers are pulling out and NHRA will carry over the entry. Many pit areas are little lakes.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Getting a heavy blast of rain here at the track now. Once that passes it should start to improve. The front is passing through now. Keep your fingers crossed we get to run.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

From the conversation via email I had with Mr. Jeffrey Young, your access will be granted for the weekend Ken. Someone through NHRA is to be letting you know soon!

Hope to have a good chat with Mr. Young next week. He has been very open to dialogue and this will give an opportunity to hear his side of why the access was removed.

Michael Compton
5010 D/SMA

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hope something gets on track today

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey guys, I have to thank all of you. NHRA just contacted me and granted access for this race. I can only think that Class Racer members might have been responsible for getting me access again.

Thanks all.... oh and its still raining, no word on what they will do with the sportsman.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

The rain stopped a couple of hours ago... tracking dry continues. No word on who or when we will be called.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

They pulled the plug on any on track activity for today. They are having issues with rubber peeling up from the surface. Tomorrow will start at 8 am. One time or Q run then eliminations. Sun is out now. Time for a rum and Dr Pepper.

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Anyone see this event getting in and done over the weekend ?

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Mike do you have your brandied cherry, for garnish ?

Paul Haszlauer

Re: "Live From" 2022 Baby Gators / Gatornationals
 

Hey guys, I'm a little late, but they canceled all racing for the day. Stock is out in the morning if everything goes well... hoping no more rain.

The pits are a mess, but they are pulling rigs out to drier ground. Lots of rigs have left, but how many I don't know. I would think there will only be about 40 cars in Stock and the Same for Super Stock when and if we get to run.