Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals

Jack Matyas · 02-09-2010, 11:22 PM

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 .

Jason Leindecker · 02-10-2010, 12:31 AM

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

Kenny Wigington · 02-10-2010, 09:04 AM

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

davidhuff · 02-10-2010, 11:44 AM

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

Dave Turner · 02-10-2010, 11:59 AM

Watch out for the garbage men Jack!

Floyd Staggs · 02-10-2010, 12:05 PM

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

Jim Wahl · 02-10-2010, 12:16 PM

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

Dusty Lowell · 02-10-2010, 12:19 PM

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

Curt Rees · 02-10-2010, 12:38 PM

Good luck out there, Jack!

#5457

Curt Rees

Dennis P Chapman · 02-10-2010, 01:19 PM

Good Luck Jack.

02-09-2010, 11:22 PM	#1
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,927 Likes: 406 Liked 2,050 Times in 398 Posts	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 . __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO Last edited by Jack Matyas; 02-10-2010 at 03:02 AM.

02-10-2010, 12:31 AM	#2
Jason Leindecker Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Center Valley, PA Posts: 18 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Good Luck to you Jack. Bring a Wally back east. __________________ Jason Leindecker

02-10-2010, 09:04 AM	#3
Kenny Wigington Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cumming,Ga. USA Posts: 967 Likes: 36 Liked 60 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Good Luck to you both ! Have a great trip ! I'll be watching for your updates ! __________________ 2894 STK

02-10-2010, 11:44 AM	#4
davidhuff Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 928 Likes: 1 Liked 120 Times in 42 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Good Luck to you Jack and look forward to live updates from Pomona,Ca.

02-10-2010, 12:05 PM	#6
Floyd Staggs VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cucamonga, CA Posts: 1,522 Likes: 152 Liked 229 Times in 99 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Hey Dave, I was thinking the same thing, I just didn't want to say it. __________________ Floyd Staggs 787 SST

02-10-2010, 11:59 AM	#5
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,222 Likes: 1,606 Liked 364 Times in 138 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Watch out for the garbage men Jack! __________________ Dave Turner SS/GT #1153

02-10-2010, 12:16 PM	#7
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals OMG yes! Set out "Garbage Guards". Good luck Jack! Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

02-10-2010, 12:19 PM	#8
Dusty Lowell Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kensington, NH Posts: 103 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Do Work Jack!!! Show them how far you can run under those new index's... __________________ Dusty Lowell #1773 STK F/SA

02-10-2010, 12:38 PM	#9
Curt Rees Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ft. Pierre, SD Posts: 357 Likes: 409 Liked 249 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Good luck out there, Jack! #5457 Curt Rees __________________ Curt Rees 5457 SS

02-10-2010, 01:19 PM	#10
Dennis P Chapman VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toms River NJ Posts: 1,594 Likes: 415 Liked 53 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Live from the NHRA 50th Winternationals Good Luck Jack. __________________ Dennis P Chapman 1904 STK NHRA National Record Holder Car Owner.