Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

We are back at Atco, NJ for the first points meet in Div 1. Today is a test and tune only, the pits are starting to fill up, but that's normal for this race. Racers like to get here early, blacktop is at a premium, getting here early insures a good spot, well sometimes it does.

The weather today is cool, 60 right now and sunny with a stiff cross head wind. Bar is 29.80 and the humidity is low 29%. Its about 600ft above sea level. I will be back later with the numbers on guys that will be going for records tomorrow, I few will be testing to get ready.

The rest of the week looks great, sunny and warm, its about time.

Just a few pictures as most are still not out their trailers.

Jack where the hell are you, its your turn to do the live from!

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Thanks for the updates Ken, I dont think i've ever had pavement @ Atco so i dont know what its like and dont really care!!, lol. Please keep us up to date with some good T&T runs for all that are stuck at work..... See Ya Friday!!

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Thanks for the weekend updates Ken, always appreciated when you are not able to be there. Good luck to all the racers.......be safe and be fast!!

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Ken keep the info coming!
How is the wind today?
Almost got blown over by a gust just now in Connecticut.
Thanks,Dan.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Good luck this weekend Ken. Have a goood time! =)

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

40+ mph winds here in central Mass most all day since mid morning.....hopefully it'll go away for you folks at Atco soon......wind racing no fun....best wishes to everyone running this wknd. WJ

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

No problem guys, here some pictures of the test and tune.

Brian Oaks SS/CA went a 8.94 @ 147, he will try for the record tomorrow.

Gary Parker in H/SA went a 11.08 @ 117, will try for the record tomorrow .

Jim Boudreau went a 10.14 @ 129 in B/SA
Kenny Kopecky went a 10.57 @ 123 E/SA, pretty stout I would say.

The weather for today is nice, not mineshaft, but still nice.
Temp 70
Bar 29.71
Humd 24.9
DA 1370
Still a good head cross about 10 to 15mph....gusting to almost 20mph

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Hey Ken, thanks for the Live Froms..... The photos are great also... Give us that are not racing something to look forward to.......

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Hello gang -- Its great to be back ! ! And as for our friend Kenny -- we all know how much he hates to type so i guess you better get used to me again .

The test n tune this after went anything but well -- several blowups and oildowns but nothing more than pride hurt in the end . As Kenny told you a few went fast today but this afternoon was another story as wind gusts hampered most performances .

I'll be back later on with the dirt from today ...............

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Jack, didn't mean to snube you on the thanks... Again thanks to you also for the reports and pictures.....

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Jack, Its about time, and thanks for telling everyone I hate to type. All kidding aside, thanks for helping out.

I have a few more pictures, but Jack has more info and will post soon or he is fired, you here me Jack.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

A couple of more tidbits from today.
One from the I wish I had my camera, Gene Monahan scraped the paint off his rear bumper. I think he went 11.44 on that pass.
Jerry Mac Neish drove right to the staging lanes after another clutch thrash and ran 10.51 @126.10 with the side wind. He's going to try for the record tomorrow. With it cooled, iced and a good barometer it should be interesting to see if he can get in the 40's. Track conditions were super all day long. We went out to dinner tonight and the sand pit to the left as you come through the gate was half full. When we returned a 9 pm it was full and they were starting to park them to the right side behind tech. Our Canadian friends are here in-force. Passed a few Ohioan's on the road coming back. Hopefully we will have the barometer for our record attempt's tomorrow.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Thanks Kenny -- I think ! ! Tonight its a little brisk here at Atco and most campers will have their furnaces on high later tonight as temps will dip into the low fifties . While taking a little stroll earier this evening I noticed that we were full here-- as in nothing - no place to park except what we refer to as beachfront property - you know -- as in out back in the sand - nothing left on macadam-- well except if you're a Comp or Top Sportsman racer - there is some on "that" side.

Tomorrow is to be picture perfect all day - high of 78 with a decent barometer and sunny --what more could a racer ask for ? While out walking I stopped by the Winners Circle Lounge and a lot of the usual suspects were there-- one being Gary Parker - who has his sights set on the H/SA record tomorrow -- he'd like to be the first H/SA in the Tens and has been knocking at the door -could tomorrow be his day? Another I spoke with tonight was Bobby Bender - who is going to take a whack at the O/SA record with his big 'ole Kingswood wagon - his time shots looked good enough today to get the job done .As for SuperStock -- Joe Garberine has his Cavalier flyin' - I believe it a a GT/GA car and if today was any indication he'll have the record by this time tomorrow .Good luck to all ......

In the morning time trials and record runs will begin at 9:30 sharp and in this order-S/ST-Stock - S/C - S/S -S/G with Comp at 1 and 4 along with TD at 3 & 4:30 and TS AT 3:30 & 5 And no Alcohol cars of any kind-- yippee ! ! ! !

One last thing -- many of you have been following my search for a motorhome the last month or so and i'd like to thank each and every one of you who sent e-mails and pictures for me to look at - its been a long and hard task for sure - hope I don't have to do it again for years .But here's the thing - without sounding like a commercial for him I sure want to thank Marc LaBrecque at Diamond RV - I know I probably wore him out with questions and what ifs but in the end it was worth it for me -- what a beauty I got -- this Winnebago Journey is just what the doctor ordered -- if you're at Atco this weekend stop by and get the cooks tour as I'm real proud of my new purchase -- my hats off to Marc and his staff for a job well done ! ! !

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Jack is back .... woo hoo !

The rigs have not stopped rolling in, looks to be a good day.

Just a quick weather report, clear blue skies, a great day for racing.

Temp 65
BAR 29.82
Humidity 41%
DA 935ft

Racing starts at 9:30 with SST then SKT, SC, SS.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Good morning -- As promised its a picture perfect day here at Atco --sunny w/blue skies -- super nice weather for a race .Took a ride on my scooter this morning only to stumble on the D1 Certification Team having their morning meeting - most of you have no idea how many of them there are here to help get this done any I didn't stop to count 'em but let me tell you its a bunch not to mention all the support vehicles they have along .

Tech is open and we're to start this thing in less than an hour .

Threw in a couple of beach shots - bet next time they'll get here earlier.

Also ran into a few "old" friends this morning- Dave LeBrun and Al Mark --glad to see both could make it here .BTW , any sightings of Wayne Toyaro ?

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Ken & Jack:
Thanks for the updates and especially the pics. Arnie Martel, Jr is getting married this weekend and this has prevented me from breaking some more parts at Atco. LOL

Jack:
I like the new coach (especially the color combo). When can I expect my next spaghetti dinner? (it always tastes better when you cook it).

Best of luck to everyone at Atco this weekend...

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Thanks for the update guy's. Good luck this weekend.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

I'm sure Jack will fill everyone in on how the first qualifying went this morning.

I just wanted to post this run.

'10 CJ
Don Fezell AA/S
9.41@147

WOW !

Weather 1700ft

I went 9.869@134.71 to give it some perspective.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Ken,
Is this a new car that Don has or is that a misprint? He had a 2008 CJ that he has been running. I was just wondering if that's the same car or a new car. Thanks.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

John Bubka in a 66 Chevy II running B/S. Am I missing something?

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Ed, he normally runs C/S with it. It's a very nice, blue, post '66 Chevy II, 327/350, de-rated to 300. I forget the code for it (L-79?).

http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCPhoto.asp?ID=168308

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Cool I didn't think you could get a 66 in to B. Ed

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

I think it's a natural D car, maybe the sheet is a misprint.

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Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

More pictures, be back later all.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Jack/Ken,

Thanks for the updates and pictures. My boss sent me to Western New York instead of Fort Dix this week, so no Atco for me :(. Still early, I guess!

Lew

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Hey kids -- I'm back ......after an all day thrash we're back together and hopefully OK .At this minute I'm waiting for clean -up runs to see if my problems are solved .Good thing Ken was here to today to once again step in for me .Lastly thanks to my friends Tommy Goldman and Rich Aman for getting down and plenty dirty with me all day .

New Records were the order of the day as follows -- Jerry McNeish D/S -- 10.45@126
Bobby Bender O/SA 12.55
Joe Garbarine GT/GA 9.77@136
Brian Oakes SS/CA 8.94@148
Congrats boys ................I'll be back a little later .Pictured below is Benders now record holding wagon getting iced-up before going into the water along with McNeishs' ultra clean 68 Z-28...

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

So let me get this straight....Oakes went 147MPH and so did the other guy ;) with the Paper/bogus stocker that NHRA let into the game....

The difference in E.T. was 8.94 to 9.41? So, can the other "guy" in the paper/bogus stocker really go 8.94? That's insane! Sorry other guy, no pun intended but, great choice for a combination! I sure wish I could by one on the show room floor. If I had the money....;)

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Thanks Deano - we love it .And if you finally get your stuff together and come to the 'Grove I'll make that dinner for you and your father -- see you soon .

Back to racing -- Everyone waited around tonight for the clean-ups but by the time we finally got to run the air had gone away because of the dew coming in -- most lost 3 to 4 hundreths with the hook being only so-so .

Tomorrow is to be another post card perfect day which will start off at 9:15 sharp . After everyone has one Q-shot we'll go right into eliminations.........till then ......

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Hey Jack i Like spaghetti too.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Thanks so much for the updates Ken and Jack. Makes things more interesting for us that aren't able to make it. Also, congrats on your record, Jerry. CB would be proud!!! Lol!

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Hey Chief, how many people told you to call Pudgie to buy a Motorhome? LOL

I never got Spaghetti?

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

As promised its another dandy today -- more blue skies and bright Sun - just unbelieveable weather this weekend .Most fo you by now must have noticed that in the last few days not once have I mentioned or said that four letter word - no ,not that one - the "R" word -- yep , the same one many of you blamed on me each and every time it happened -- well this weekend is proof to you naysayers that I can be at the track without needing to build an ark .

In a little under two hours SuperStreet and the rest of us will get our 3rd and final Q-pass and then its on to elims .

As for action last night it sure was quiet here last evening - most like myself must have been dogtired and turned in early - that coupled with the fact of because of the great weather we have been enjoying the pollen here is unbelieveable -- plenty of Sudafed in this coach - don't leave home without it .

One thing I forgot to mention yesterday was that while hunting for my oil leak up on a lift I invited some NHRA officials ( it was the perfect time as I was leaking oil bigtime) over to inspect the oilpan / diaper possibilities on our GTO and its just not going to happen because in several areas this space is very limited to say the least.......my vote is for a bellypan deal - their vote is still open so don't be afraid to speak with them whenever you can about this important subject . More later ................

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Thanks Jack and Ken for the updates.....

Brian Oakes car is incredible.....8.94...wow...

anybody know what the fastest ss/ca is....

Rock Haas

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

Stock just finished their last pass before elims and I really doubt if anyone moved up the ladder as the weather is perfect but anything but fast .The temp is 88 already with low humidity and also a low barometer ( for here ) of 29.70 and a final DA of 2760 .Most saw a drop of at least .05 from yesterday morning .

SuperStock up soon .......

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

SuperStock is out on the track - looks like most are .04 to .07 slower as its past 92 degrees and climbing . Took a couple of still shots just for fun .

As you can see from pictures below even the entrance road is better to park on than the sandpit .

Also pictured below is the ATI Challenger that is here this weekend only for a grade point and tech .

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Stock is almost completed -- wish I had more info but between moving up and dialing I couldn't see much -- what I did notice was that most lost 4 to 5 from this morning and a great many high horsepower cars could not find traction including several of the CJ's and I watched John Shaul spin 'em big .....I'll be back with S/S . Here's a first -- in both Stock and S/S -- not one heads-up ! ! !

PS-- As I told you folks earlier the pollen here is thick -- check out the truck hood pictured below .

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The rd 2 race between Stan Giermanski and Joe DeMarzo should be good. At the Open they weren't too far apart during Thursdays t'n't session. And there's a rematch between Jim Boudreau and Larry Pappas who also squared off 2nd rd at the Open.

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS
 

JM, great to get updates and pics...never saw so much pollen, can it hurt carb cars without air filters.............
Nice pic of Périgny and his Camaro that has been with him forever....
Enjoy your new Motorhome and have a safe and fun race summer.
MB

Re: Live from Atco, NJ - NHRA Lucas Oil DRS