Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

You all know what they say about the best thought out plans . They never work out and I can tell you that for sure its true . Who saw last weeks snowstorm coming ? Not me . And yes , we can say it was forecasted and it was but plans were made months ago .and as for the monster storm that will hit the East Coast tonight - no one saw it coming for sure - not this much anyway .Several feet of snow - all up and down the coast .Back to my flight - I was supposed to leave Newarks' Liberty Airport Wednesday at 6:30 AM sharp - but I thought it to be a prudent move ( and a great idea by my wife ) to go early . From late yesterday into this morning I was working with expert travel agent Jackie Fiske and she is the best but the odds were against us as everyone had the same idea - get out early . I 've never been a quitter but I must admit it was time to throw in the towel .A smart man must know when to fold 'em .And this was the time for sure -at 1PM today there was nothing - I mean nothing going West or South .Period . Here's the moment - while speaking with Jackie she gave me a plan -- not perfect but a plan .

Go to Newark - find a supervisor and plead your case-get on lists - beg - whatever - and by the time I got to Newark there was only one - count 'em - one flight going West --the 4:30 flight to Phoenix - after finding a super at U S Airways she checked and it was now 3:30 and out of the 138 seats on the Airbus 320 --- 134 had already checked in .So I was feeling lucky and even though the flight was sold out I signed up for standby and went to the terminal gate anyway .By the time I went thru Security and on to Gate 38 it was 4:10 and the line for boarding was super long .Here it is --- the moment -- after being there only five minutes they called my name -- to say I was stunned is an understatement .Only after receiving a boarding pass did I believe it .As I sit here in seat 26E (yep, its in the middle ) only one thing is left to say --Thanks Jackie ! ! !
There's plenty of hoopla at this event and I can hardly wait .Many folks talk about racing in Florida and other warm places but take it from me - there is no other feeling in the world better than making a pass down Parker Avenue . Period .

Look out California - here I come ....Again .

Finally I must thank Tommy Goldman -- I've called him so many times in the last month he swears he needs more minutes in his cell phone plan .

And to my wife Debbie - you were a real trooper last weekend in the snowstorm while we were trying to hook up with my ride West in Billy Lebers' trailer.Yeah , I know you'll be alone on Valentines Day -- but I'll make it up to you --Scouts Honor ! !


NHRA 2010 starts tomorrow...........Later .

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Good Luck to you Jack. Bring a Wally back east.

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Good Luck to you both ! Have a great trip ! I'll be watching for your updates !

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Good Luck to you Jack and look forward to live updates from Pomona,Ca.

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Watch out for the garbage men Jack!

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Hey Dave, I was thinking the same thing, I just didn't want to say it.

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OMG yes! Set out "Garbage Guards". Good luck Jack! Jim

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Do Work Jack!!! Show them how far you can run under those new index's...

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Good luck out there, Jack!

#5457

Curt Rees

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Good Luck Jack.

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Mr. Matyas, You jetted away from the east coast just in time....it is 1 nasty day here in Massachusetts....make it count for Div.1 out there in Cali---go some rounds....WJ

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Jack,
Were your ears ringing last night?, yes we were talking about you. We had a big MEETING last evening. It was a sort of celebration, a stacker celebration. What better place to have a stacker celebration than the newly opened HOOTERS in West Springfield Mass. Those in attendence were. Hit or Miss, Shooter, Glassman, King pin ,and Fab Man. We did discuss your trip and all, glad you got out of the snowbank alive and we all wish you good luck west. And Jack, the next time I see you, let me know who you think the 5 attendies are.

GOOD LUCK out there

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

That Hooters ought to do well-it's right across the street from the Donut Dip (and the four blueberry filled and two sour cream glazed that I picked up on Sunday night on the way back from CT were quite good).

BTW, you could finance a stacker by bringing Donut Dip products to points races and selling them!

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Even though we didn't get on the track today is sure was nice to be here -- sunny all day with temps in the low sixties and the barometer at a paltry 28.89 with 37% humidity.Went thru tech without much fanfare and spent most of the day just brushing out the cobwebs of Winter .

Tonight -- just a little food and some R&R as the last few days are catching up .Hope you like the few pics I took this afternoon -- as you'll see the joint is filling up fast .How about those mountains ............................

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Very nice Jack....What car do you have out there? I am kind of partial to the Firebird. I am sometimes a little sorry I sold mine.....Lloyd Mackay bought it and then sold it....I think he is out there and bought Frank Genovese's car. I just cleared a foot of snow and it has not stopped yet. I have never been to California and those mountains do look awesome.....good luck.....

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Rich-you really ought to make it out to Pomona one of these days!

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

[QUOTE=. I have never been to California and those mountains do look awesome.....good luck.....[/QUOTE]


Wait until this weekend ... temps in the 70's expected

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Today is a picture perfect Chamber of Commerce day.

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Hi Jack,
So glad you made it, enjoy and Indy sends his luck ! It's still snowing and everything is shut down, Looks like I will be watching you on the internet instead of warm sunny Florida can't even get out of the garage the power is out !!
Kathy and Indy

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Hey Jack, Great to see you made it. I know Wayne Tataro made it. Have you seen John Shaul? Good Luck and let's have an all D1 final.

Sam

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Dave --I've got it down to four out of five -- maybe 'till i see you next it'll come to me .I assume when you had the stacker party at Hooters your wives were along right .And why wasn't I invited to the party ? Thank Marc for me .
Dave Ring -- maybe we should think about going into the donut business .
Rich - too bad about all the snow you'll shovel today - I'll think of you in a few hours when we line up for our first shot -- you really should try to get here sometime soon .
BUCK180-- fire up the generator and power up your computer ............
Sammy - Spoke with Wayne last night -he made it OK - Jerry McNeish couldn't get out to make the trip with him - haven't seen John Shaul yet ..........

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

I lived in Riverside in 68 when the SMOG was "good". We couldnt tell there was a mountain range till January when the winds from the desert had blown smog out to sea. It is impressive....

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Headline on todays USA Today "5700 canceled flights, worst since 9/11"

The best move so far Jack was going to Newark and getting out of town before the snow

Again , good luck to all

Dave

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Thanks Dave -- at this point I'm jinxed for sure because if I do well at this event the truth will come out - it wasn't my idea to get out of Dodge early before the storm - guess who's it was ? I'll never hear the end of it .................

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We're only minutes from the start - just waiting for the call -- weather 53 degrees - barometer 29.05 - 59% humidity but starting to burn off -they just called ..........

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You're really something else with your updates, Jack! Very cool. This is KJ Jones...Evan Smith's buddy, former NY resident who now lives in SoCal (I'm the guy who had the Atco rental in '97 that you brought the Chieftain Firebird and a black Nova Stocker to). Bryan Phillips and me hung out with you in the stands at Pomona a few years ago.

My boys (Ward Alston and Bryan Phillips) bailed out on me and went back East, but I'll be out at the Fairplex tomorrow (Friday) to catch Stock/Super Stock. I'll try and pass by your pit for an in-person hello. Hope all is well and good luck. You had some trip. I hope everything plays out well for you at the Winternationals!

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Good luck Jack, If you see Jan and Art Petersen, tell them I said hello and good luck. Make us proud Jack and bring back the Wally to Div. 1. Wish I could have been there SNOW SUCKS....Tell Ron Ron and the rest of the DIV 1 guys good hi and good luck.

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Is the Baro 29.05 actual station pressure??
Thanks
Ralph

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

This sounds like the REAL KJ JONES !!! :-)

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

First q-pass is in for Stock and SuperGas... pretty sporty with the exception of many guys spun hard in the right lane -- hope they get that fixed soon .Soon as I find some sheets I'll give you more .BTW , I started the year off with a good 1000 ' pass and then had to get towed back by a quad -- small electrical issue than I can fix quick ............more soon ..................SuperStock up next .

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If it gets you a Wally who cares if she says I told you so LOL. Good luck out there.

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sounds like the right lane picked up right where it left off for the finals......horrible!!!

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28 cars 1.00 under or better under the OLD indexes.Don't know why they fixed what wasn't broken.Good luck to all the D-1 guys out there.Come on Perrone,step it up.

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We just got pass #2 -- probably about .06 slower than earlier . Enjoy the pics ......Lookk who showed up in my pit -John Caliendo .Also Dave Ley -Division One Tech ace - working ,met Alex D and his wife , Al Corda is here , Wayne Totaro , Leber - Fletcher - Bloom ,Ron Morehead , Art and Jan Petersen .

SuperStock up soon ...............Weather is 68 degrees ,37.7% humidity , 29.04 barometer , 2076 DA ..............Later .. we're goin' to In ' an Out .............

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

I'm not a Ford fan, but Mr. Pond is one bad $%&%&^.

Momma said to edit the mother part she didn't like it.

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

X 2

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

How about McClanahans brand new Camaro? Nice pass on a brand new car.

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Hahahahahaha! Yes, Kelley, 'tis I, the real KJ Jones. Long time, my man. I've been keeping an eye on you and Bill Dedman here on Class Racer. Enjoy reading your musings on this and that. Hope you're well.

Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals
 

Jack - very nice to finally meet you as well!

I walked around and snapped some pictures yesterday. Enjoy!

http://community.webshots.com/album/576720197cRXqhg

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Thank you for the pics Beth. It sure looks like nice weather out there. We just had some more snow last night and it is very cold. You and Alex have a great time and good luck. Keep the pics coming.