Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Talk about "Chamber of Commerce" weather - this is it for sure as its now four o'clock and the temp is past ninty and climbing with plenty of Sun thrown in for good measure .Local forcasts call for extra nice things today and part of Thursday with some scattered showers called for late in the day and most of Friday .But the weekend looks to be perfect with sunny skies with the highs to be in the mid-seventies.

As for things to do -- one of the favorites here for racers is to visit the "Shady Maple" eatery for dinner -- they are open 4 to 8pm nightly with prices in the mid-teens for the stuff your face until you can't take anymore package .

I'll be back a little later ................BTW, got here an hour ago and there are seven rows in front of me ........what recession ?? not here .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Hey Jack
Are you chartering a bus to the Shady Maple?
If so save me a seat!

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

See Jack you're not always blamed for the weather, only 50% chance of rain on Thursday with thunder and Lightning(keep away from patio umbrellas) 50% chance on Friday but great weather Saturday and Sunday. I hope that your moniker as Rain-man doesn't stick anymore. Good Luck. Claude

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Well I didn't make it back to the track tonight as I had some pending business back home that took longer than expected .Calls to some friends tell me the place is already packed and if you're planning on tomorrow better make it early if a good pit spot is wanted .

Angelo - Sorry but at this time a bus trip is not planned but you never know about these things -- here's more info on the buffet if you're interested -- Thurs -- $16.06 Adults
$14.47 Seniors
$8.03 Kids
Fri -- $17.39 Adults
$15.64 Seniors
$9.74 Kids
Sat $19.49 Adults
$17.55 Seniors
$9.74 Kids
All prices include tax

Contact info 717 354 - 4981
WWW.shady-maple.com

I'll be around for the info on tomorrow's test n tune ...........till then ..........later .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

What a day today will be -- at just after 8am its already past 70 degrees but its sunny and brite and by mid-day will be a stinker for sure .Tech for test n tune has now opened up but no one will go down the track for probably two hours .

The drive here this morning was no fun at all -- who would have thought there would be traffic jams at 5am in the middle of Amish country ? Living out here can't be half bad as there seems to be an abundance of maidens in this area -- if you can believe the signs (see below ) .

I'll try and keep some numbers coming later -- but remember -- it will be hot and humid with thunder storms on their way .................

One last thing -- the racers favorite filling station is the Hess on Rt 222 South has the best numbers in the area .Pic below

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Yes the area does have more than it's fair share of quaint town names - Intercourse and Blue Ball being just two of them :D !

Enjoy the "nice" weather while it lasts!

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

I will be sure to fill up here in NJ before I leave after work today....

Diesel here is 2.79 and I don't even have to pump my own.....

One of the best races to attend......Maple Grove......"A Nice Place to Race"

Been going there since......1967 or 1968......Geez....

Tell Tom Goldman Matt is working on something for him ......

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Here's the good news- with all the changes made here at Maple Grove they are all fine and smooth as silk going down the track .Many were worried this place would be junk but it never happened . Talk about track temp -- a half hour ago it was 120 degrees ( measured by comp kingpin Vinny Barone ) and here is the rest of the story -- 91 degrees 41% humidity - vapor pressure at .61 and the barometer -- a whopping 29.27 --all this makes a final DA of 3632 .Yep , it sure is slow here but at least the hook is good .

As far as going fast -- well I saw Joe Garbarine go a tenth off the GT/FA record and Daddy Warbucks went 9.72 so ............

Rich -- I'll give Tom the message -- he's been frantic the last few hours ..............

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

It might have came early but arrived none the less - and with some power but only for a few minutes then quit - as you'll see from the pics its even steamier now than before but should cool off quick .The track has announced that they will try and dry it off but ..... we'll see ! ! ! And check out the steam in the last two pics ......................

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Hey Jack,, Thanks for the up dates !!!!! That steam looks like you are in Florida during the rainy season.. We see that almost every day!!!! Still doesn't make it any more comfortable!!!!!!!

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Jack,

Thanks for the watchman service at the Grove. Never rained here or on the way home to Eldersburg. Looks like you got quite a down pour there.

From the photos, looks like my trailer is washed and clean now.

Jerry
#1710

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Hey Jack,

I thought this picture of Ed Fernandez in my motorhome would be appropriate for the 'live from". Ed's hat has a blinking "B" not sure what the B stands for or where the batteries are. I can tell you what I think the B stands for, but its not nice. Anyone else care to guess, be nice now.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Banderillero

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Kenny -- I'll stay away from the not too nice stuff and just give it a shot with my guess -- "B" is for Brookyln as in New York ..........as for the blinkers........thats' a New Jersey thing ! ! ! Another thing you might want to consider -- ( even though you feel safe here in Pennsylvania ) -- locking your coach might be a prudent idea .

Jerry -- your trailer looks really spiffy at this moment -- but by the time you get back tomorrow it could float away ...........

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Good morning -- What a difference a day makes ! Not much Sun and chilly this AM but no rain at the moment but the day looks iffy at best .Gates are to open in half an hour or so and the Division One Tech people will be checking cars just after that -- better get 'er done before we have a cloudburst or something .

Got to visit with with my almost lifelong friend Ray Valpreda last night who along with his wife Ruth made the trek here from Concorde , North Carolina so they could spend their Memorial Day with us here in D1 -- its great to see them and talk about the good 'ole days ...............Another couple to join us after an absence is John & Dot Pressing --- more stories to be told tonight around the campfire .............

Here is a little good news before I sign off -- the Barometer has returned -- its in the 29 Seventies and climbing . Later ..........

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Jack:
best of luck to you this weekend. Keep up the great reporting (w/ pics).

Please keep an eye on my race partner (aka the "professor" Santos) and my father; as I do not usually leave each of them unsupervised for an entire weekend! LOL


Dean

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

9:50 Update -- They just called SuperSreet to the lanes -- things were looking up for awhile but its starting to get dark again .The Maple Grove team along with D1's guys had the track looking almost dry when I walked out a few minutes ago .Best thing you can hear after rain is the Jet running --- as you will see from my pics even Lex Dudas ( Maple Groves' Vice President and GM ) pitched in this morning to get thing moving -- he's another of D1's guys who are in the hands-on catagory and are not afraid to get their paws dirty .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Ken , from up here in New England, that sure looks like a Boston Red Sox hat to me......Well, Ed?? WJ

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Stock got their first run in this morning -- and I must admit that I lied earlier when I said there was a great barometer -- its not ! ! Guess I should have had my readers on because its anything but good at 29.30 something --- so all I can say is opps .

Took a few shots in the lanes and starting line for your enjoyment ..................

One last thing -- the last picture shows the "Diamond RV Shopping Team" on their way to the VF Outlet Stores in Reading -- Holy charge cards boys ......................Just think - you saved up to 70 percent ! ! !

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

The live timing is awesome with the live streaming i can watch the races from here in Sunny Arizona

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

First things first -- its not fast here but some folks are trying to set records --Don Fizell set the first leg of the AA/S record in his 08 CJ at 9.56 - Also the SS/LA record was set to 10.65 --back-ups coming.Also in S/S Lee Matiola hit the wall -- he's OK -- his car not so good .

BTW -- Stock Q1 -- One hundred four cars and many more showed up since then .............

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Here are some of Division One 's finest at work - when you see 'em let them know how you feel ...........
Check out the last picture -- TEN GRAND to win at Napierville --- Wow ! !

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Please tell me the GT/LA 10.36 run is a mistake!.
If not congrats and what combo did they find to run that number.
Dan

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Went to live timing and hit todays results and saw he is running SS/EA!

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

As usual Jack, thanks for the updates and pictures. A minor correction - it's Don Fezell not Fizell.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Carl Milano is the new SS/LA record holder - Don Fezell couldn't back his record pass up in AA/S - spun bigtime .......

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

We're done here for the evening as Stock just got their final Q-pass of the day - the air as usual was pretty funky as most I spoke with after the pass said they went anywhere from 4 to 8 slower than their weather station called for-- some said it was weather while others blamed it on late night dewy hook...........till tomorrow ................

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Thanks for the updates, Jack!

Have a pleasant evening.

Lew

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Could someone there tell Carl Milano congrats on his record from Tom Meyer and his gang from NE . Thanks Tom

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Jack, really appreciate you pointing out the Napierville Open and purse, unfortunately we weren't able to make it out this weekend but be assured we will see all of ya come E-Town. If you can thank Mr.Lang on behalf of my brother and I for the banner it would be greatly appreciated and keep passing the good word on Napierville as we want as many racers as possible to attend the Stock/Super Stock combo. Guys remember 10K USD guaranteed with 48 car field doesen't get any better than that!

With best regards,
Sean Gaffney
SS/GA 1223

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

After a slight drizzle half an hour ago things have calmed down and the Jet is running . SuperStreet has been called to the lanes and will be followed by Stock .Its still overcast with temps in the low sixties and high humidity but the DA is around 2000' -- it won't be fast and we'll just be glad its not raining . Some entries still coming in and a few full fields are expected ............later .

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Sorry guys forgot to mention there is a list of hotels in the "event" section of Class Racer close to Napierville Dragway to reserve for the National Open June 25th to 27th.

Thanx,
Sean.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

S/Street and Stock both got a lick in and its a few hundreths slower than last night ..........S/Stock up soon

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

As always, thanks so much for the updates, Jack. BTW, has anyone made it to the Shady Maple???

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Looks like 3 heads up runs for 1st round in stock. 2nd round looks like it could be a lot more heads up racing. This will be fun to watch for sure.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

How is this possible ? Is this not a Combo Race ? No heads up races at a Combo Race
At least in Div 7

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Not a combo race.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

The joys of fuel check and scales. Let the fun begin.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

It's a normal Divisional race.

Re: Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series
 

Talk about slow -first round of Stock now in -- plenty of surprised racers who couldn't run the number - also an abnormal amount of breakage -- SuperStock coming up soon ....