"Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

We are on our way!

Just pulled out from St. Louis and on the road for the 835 mile trip to Maple Grove for the Keystones and the Dutch Classic! We have never been to the Dutch and to the Keystones only once in 1996! We said then that we wouldn't go back because those Yankees were so mean to us but I figure we have Jack Matyas and the Boss who can protect us now!

Looking forward to some cooler weather and seeing some old friends and making new ones!

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Safe travel, let the good times be with you.
MB

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Hi gang - Well it seems we're being invaded by some of those Southerners again but not to worry as this Damn Yankee was on the job early this morning at the perfectly manicured Maple Grove Raceway .The 32nd edition of the NHRA Dodge Nationals already has a few rows of entrants waiting to park with many more expected this afternoon after the East Coast Stock-Super Stock race is completed at Atco Raceway .For those coming in go to gate 4 and you'll be directed to your lane .

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Hoping the weatherman is wrong , as he usually is .
After weeks of little or no rain ,there is a chance of rain predicted for Wed thru Fri. ...But this is Div 1 and this is the Keystones , We've been thru rain ,floods and hurricanes and we still race !
On the positive side ,the pits are so dry ,any rain will soak in right away instead of making them into a mess.
Larry ,you and all my Stock and SS friends should be flying if it stays dry , Highs in the mid to high 60's during qualifying !
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...6#.V-gyFdLrs5s

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Is there any place close to dump motorhome and get water?

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

At Indy I told you that you will love the Dutch; and believe me, you will have a great time. I will see you bright and early on Thursday Oct.6.

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Larry try the campground across the street we you pull in to the track. Ask Jackhe knows everything

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Leaving Brownsburg In in the am -- Be in line on Tuesday Pm!
Safe Travels Guys and Girls !

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Tom could you do a non race dance. thanks. CR

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Ciccero, look up Bob Beezer.

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

was thinking the same before read the post lives less than hour from me

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Anybody coming from St Louis, the dump at the Flying J at exit 122 east of Columbus is out of order . You can dump and get water at KOA at exit 129 for $20. Propane is $3 per gallon. Both are easy to get to. A little pricey but you can get in and out and just one and half miles off I70 at Buckeye Lake.

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Damn , in the last hour the forecast went from iffy on Thurs and Fri to typical Reading , Keystone's weather !
Up to 2" predicted for Wed night and a possible 2" more on Thursday !!!

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Better plan on a very long weekend if you're a sportsman racer. I spent a good part of Saturday getting my stuff ready to go. Saw the weather and decided there is no way I am doing this. Withdrew before the deadline.

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Well we are here and stacked. #37 in line! The trip across Ohio and then the PA Turnpike was trying at best. Lots of construction and turns and up and down! I was looking forward to the trip today, but it was not just a relaxing trip. Not much traffic, no wrecks, but still just one of those trips where you hang on to the arm rest all the time! And then I talked to Jim Marshall and he said go on down and get off at exit 298, the Morgantown exit instead of the Reading exit. I was looking at the Fan Guide and the directions off the Maple Grove website and decided to get off at 286. Big mistake!!! Follow the directions and then it says " No vehicles over 27 1/2'. No place to turn around so we continue! Big mistake!! One turn we were almost looking back at the end of the trailer. After 4 tries, pulling up and backing up, we made it. It was awful!! But we are here and have already made a trip to Shady Maple!! Boy, was it great! But more later!


I have to get the TV tuned in and watch the Debate!

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Good morning all - It rained all night here in Pennsylvania but this morning is a different story as the Sun is out and the drying process has started .Today for most is just sitting around BS'sing and waiting for tommorow's entry and parking .There are rumors floating around that they are going to let us in today but I can't confirm that .My thought is that it won't happen .

More later ..............

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Here is the latest as per Dave Mohn our Division Director - there will be no entry or parking today .Period . ...........

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Brilliant...

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Hello everyone,

I pulled in about an hour ago, with about 50 rigs inline. The weather is absolutely beautiful, with temps in the low 70's and clear skies. Its hard to believe that rain is in the forecast, but they tell us it is.

Anyway, here are some shots of the day, not many rigs as you can see. I caught Larry Hill working on his trailer, let me know if you see something that's not right in the last photo.

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

lug nuts missing on front wheel

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Update on nhraracer says parking will begin at 7:00 am tomorrow.
http://nhraracer.com/content/general...676&zoneid=175

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

It's move in day, they are starting early to try to beat that four letter word that fall from the sky. It sure is pretty here!


Next week should be a blast, anyone that needs a grade point, or just wants to go fast will be here. I'm sure that there will be some jaw dropping performance this week and next. Ya'll come on down it's going to be "Way Cool" and fast!

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

We're all parked,...... the holding area is empty, and as usual, Redman and crew are doing a bang up job. Tech is also very smooth with little to no waiting. Now if the weather holds up, it could turnout to be a good week of racing.

I will be back later with more photos.

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Well we are in, parked and teched! So now for some grilling and adult beverages! It's 5:00 somewhere!! It is cool here and overcast. Still only 69 degrees. The rain is supposed to start tonight, but it was 100% chance on Monday and it never rained til during the night. The forecast doesn't look good for tomorrow and Friday morning, but it could still change or the weathermen could miss it. How many times does that happen?? So I will try to get pictures later. I saw the Boss and I am sure he is on the job taking pics, too.. Jack was changing tires, but I am sure he will be at it later, too!


Patsy

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

69 degrees???? Temps that low would severely hamper my beverage intake!!!

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Just got off phone with Dexter axle, they are going to warranty my new axle that we installed in June. Problem we had is both spindles are bent up, the curb side has an extra one inch of camber and the road side has an extra 1/2" of camber. It kind of makes you wonder if the spindle forgings are made in the USA. New axle should be here by the end of the week, after it gets here I will have a little work to do before we get to head home. In the meantime we will be enjoying the weather no matter how wet it gets. Did anyone mention how many great places there are to blow money frivolously on nothing short of wonderful food. Just had lunch so it's nap time!

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

Larry,
you and Patsy can go to the Reading outlets when it rains!! And then into the Amish country.

Bob Lasko

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Well here's the thing - I came to race and get away from work but it seems like that's all I've done since I got on the grounds .But that's all behind me now ( I hope ) .Today for most it was the usual -parking ( and Redman was his usual self in getting everyone pitted where they like ) and then there was tech ( or not ) as I'm told the Pilot program was being used here to give the top ten in points a free ride to the credentials trailer without stopping at the tech line - just fill out their tech card and pass go .

About a half hour ago we had a mild rainstorm but it's passed and still cloudy with another storm that is expected later .

For those of you looking for something to do tomorrow night there's the MEGA MOPAR block party at First Energy Stadium in Reading .Monster Truck rides , Monster truck car crush , Mopar Car Show , and get this -- Home Run Derby featuring NHRA drivers and an autograph session with them .Throw in some bands along with Mopar Concept Cars and it all adds up to a fun night .For more info go onto Maple Grove's website-www.maplegroveraceway.com
or click on this link... http://www.moparserviceinfo.com/mopa...ock-party.html


More later ....And welcome to the 32nd annual NHRA Dodge Nationals.

Re: "Live" from the Keystones 2016
 

jack do you think us others can get a pilot pass in the near future?

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Not much to see today, the rain we had pretty much kept the race cars in the trailers. I did find an NHRA crew putting up a sign for premium parking. I know its not that interesting, but that's all I got for the day. I did find a few cars out in tech and at their trailers.

Its hard to say what will happen tomorrow. The weather does not look good, but who knows, they have been wrong before.

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Its real wet!!! Keep your fingers cross for us to get some Q runs and Class runs in.

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Good morning members and guests - Normally by this time on day 1 we'd be warming the cars up for our first trip down the Maple Grove quarter mile but not today as the rains that started yesterday have continued thru the night and are still coming down - that and the winds that accompany the rain are fierce .Today's forecast looks grim - we'll be sitting around telling lies about the 'good ole days' - plus eating plenty of junk food .Might be a good day to take in a movie or hit the outlets for some early Christmas shopping .

Back later with some updates on whatever the NHRA decides to plan ....

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Out here in the holding field Gate 4E sportsman rigs continue to roll in. Getting ready to suit up the Beagles for some walking action. Rain and wind aplenty. Glad I brought their coats!

Eric

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Let them go on a rabbit run. The dogs would love it, the rabbit not so much.

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Ok, I'll ask the stupid question. Why don't they reorder the Countdown races so that Maple Grove follows Indy?

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Beagles in the burnout box 8:50 AM.......Wind driven rain as seen in Belle's ear flop.....For the sharp eyed viewer, yes Bruno's brace does have a JEGS contingency sticker.

Eric

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Thanks for the reply jack a if you guys get the rain we just got 2 inches in an hour you better get a boat

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The rain has stopped for a bit, but it looks like it could start up again at anytime. Its cold, cloudy and damp, so even if they started drying the track now it would take most of the day to get it ready. There has been no word on what today's schedule will be or what the plans are. I guess we will all just sit tight and wait.

As soon as they make some type of announcement, I will up date.

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Didn't it rain here last year at the Keystones ??
Maybe they need to re-schedule the dates for this race !!

Oh, that would make too much sense !! Nevermind.

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It's already scheduled for the same time in 2017. Wonder if you will see a revision to the schedule after this thing is completed. It's just a bad time in the Northeast to race. Change from Summer to Fall, Hurricane Season and the way the track sits in the gully and clouds / rain just sits there. The Dutch was always the same way. You knew going into the Dutch at least one day or more would be effected by rain.