10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals

Mike Carr · 07-20-2011, 11:26 AM

Hard to believe it's been that long already. It was then, and still to this day, the single greatest race ever for Stock and Super Stock racers.

Randy Schonscheck · 07-20-2011, 11:41 AM

Right on there Mike!! I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. I can't believe it was 10 years ago. Alot of great individuals with a true passion for the sport of Stock and Super Stock racing put together a great event. Oh.... and it is going to be in the triple digit temps today just like during the event. I didn't even notice it back then. Thank you Alex, your team of workers, the racers and everyone that had a part in that race.

Gauge guy · 07-20-2011, 11:53 AM

I was there on Friday & Sunday. It was a great race but it was a little warm.

Michael Beard · 07-20-2011, 11:54 AM

Amen. It doesn't get any better. It's a shame that it hasn't been duplicated.

Mike Carr · 07-20-2011, 12:03 PM

http://forum.competitionplus.com/showthread.php?t=8022

Steve Polhill · 07-20-2011, 12:17 PM

It Really does need to be done again. Maybe when it isn't so HOT LOL. I wonder if Norwalk would be interested?

Jim Wahl · 07-20-2011, 12:52 PM

It doesn't seem that long ago! Wow! This post by Mike deserves to be seen by all:

The Inagural US Class Nationals

By the summer of 2000, most, if not all, Stock and Super Stock racers had realized that we were, to quote S/S racer Alex Denysenko, "relegated to the back of the bus", when it came to competing at National Events. Stuck running at absurd times of the morning and late evenings, if they even got to run at all. While I was at the IHRA World Nationals in Norwalk Ohio in August 2000, I was talking to Alex, who told me of an idea to promote and put on a big-time race, featuring the Super Stock and Stock classes, with special races, contigency and big payouts.

The race occured July 20-22, at Byron Dragway in Byron IL, the Inagural GM Performance Parts US Class Nationals. It was a very hot weekend, with temperatures in the high 80's to low 90's, with a lot of sun. Classes to be contested were Super Stock, Stock (with both NHRA and IHRA-legal cars eligible to compete), Top Stock (heads-up, no breakout class for legal A, B and C Stockers at 8.3 pounds per horsepower), Nostalgia/Super Stock, Outlaw S/S, Class Eliminations for S and S/S, as well as a Quick 32, two races sponsored by Kendall, for the 32 quickest qualifiers, one for Stock and one for S/S. Friday started out with time trials and qualifying, as well as the Q-32's. The 32's were run like Comp Eliminator, handicapped off the Class Index, first to the finish line wins. The #'s 1 and 2 qualifiers made the final of each. Stock was won by Dayton OH's Don Holmes, in his K/SA 400-powered '78 Firebird won from the pole, defeating Kentucky's Jonathan Terrance's V/SA V-6 '82 Monte Carlo. S/S was won by second qualifier Mike Mans, in his Minnesota-based GT/JA '00 Firebird, in an upset over the polesitter Richard Oakes. New Jersey resident Oakes was crushing the field in his V6 modified SS/DS four speed '87 Camaro, having a near four tenths cushion on everyone. The track had a 6 pm curfew daily, so the hotlapping on such a warm day was Oakes undoing, as the car never got off the starting line past 60', and the starting line bog handed the win to Mans. At the conclusion of the track's activities, racers made their way to a local country club for a cookout.

Saturday brought Class Eliminations on. All cars raced against the others in their own class, to determine bragging rights and Class superiority, and of course, the contigency money. Many great runs were made, and the track, overseen by NHRA Division 3 starter Bill "Redman" Flloyd hooked great, even in the cruel summer heat. There was an auction to benefit D.R.A.W. that evening, and many racers stayed even after that, to socialize at what may have been the first major meet in many, many years to bring NHRA and IHRA Class racers together at such an event of this magnitude.

By the time Saturday's qualifying was over, nearly the largest field of Stockers in a long time was assembled. 187 Stockers had made the trip to Byron to compete, from all seven NHRA geographical Divisions. With the Class Nationals being an all-run field (Indy only takes the 128 best cars), it became an eight-round race to take home the money. Add in nearly 100 S/S cars, 20+ Top Stockers and a pretty good field of O/SS and N/SS, the race had over 300 cars in just five eliminators contested that weekend (four, if you count the fact that T/Stk competes within Stock and were part of the 187 Stocker field).

Sunday brought about more great racing. Racers were thrown a curve later in the day, as a cold front rolled in with clouds and a pretty good tailwind, which made dialing the cars a handful. The best persevered, and shortly after 5 pm, the winners were crowned, and the Inagural US Class Nationals was deemed an overwhelming success. The event received TV coverage on Inside Drag Racing, with stories, coverage and interviews by the great Bret Kepner, and VHS copies of the race were later sold, done by Stock racer Bill Bureski. Willie Devore (S/S), Jeff Tueton (Stock), and Matt Morgan (T/Stk) were the big winners. Plans were already rolling on a second race, and possibly more. Sadly, it never panned out, for whatever reasons. But, those of us that were there, we will ALWAYS have fond memories of maybe the greatest Class Racing event ever take place. I even gave up bracket racing at an IHRA Divisional at my home track to make the 400+ mile trip to spectate (didn't have a Stocker yet). Every so often, there is discussion and thoughts on messageboards about "We need to have another Class Nationals...", and who knows, maybe in the future, we will see a part 2 of this awesome event.

S/S
Winner, Willie Devore, Rock Island IL, GT/H '87 Camaro
R/U, Denny Steward, Dover PA, GT/EA '87 Daytona

Stock
Winner, Jeff Teuton, Houma LA, FT/SA '97 Ram
R/U, MJ Quinn, Louisville KY, K/SA '85 Camaro

T/Stk
Winner, Matt Morgan, La PLata MD, '69 Mustang
R/U, Al Corda, Elk Mound WI, '00 Firebird
__________________
Mike Carr, BuffDaddy Motorsports Enon Valley PA
Tri-State Stock/Super Stock Association President
buffdaddy_1302@hotmail.com
www.facebook.com/buffdaddy1302

.

Andrew Hill · 07-20-2011, 01:43 PM

Someone needs to get another one of these started! I was too young to race in the first one, and I'd love to be able to now.

Joe Demarais · 07-20-2011, 02:13 PM

It was definitely hot, I used more money for LP to run the generator on the motorhome for 4 days than I did for fuel to drive from Minnesota to Byron and back. It was a very good time

Jim Parsons · 07-20-2011, 04:32 PM

There was a rumor early this year that one of the mid west stock/ super stock associations was trying to put one on at the Tri-State Earlville, Iowa facility for late this fall. I heard it from a couple sources but radio salience of late. This also would be also be a great venue for another such race and I'm sure would draw lot of cars.

Like the rest of you the best race I have ever attended/ participated in. However it was a little warm that week if I remember correctly, still great event Alex, thanks for the effort.

Jim Parsons.

07-20-2011, 11:26 AM	#1
Mike Carr VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Enon Valley PA Posts: 1,650 Likes: 234 Liked 83 Times in 37 Posts	10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals Hard to believe it's been that long already. It was then, and still to this day, the single greatest race ever for Stock and Super Stock racers. __________________ Mike Carr, Tri-State S/SS Association President Looking for 2015 S/SS Race Sponsors Contact me if interested buffdaddy_1302@hotmail.com (724) 510-5912

07-20-2011, 11:41 AM	#2
Randy Schonscheck Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Omro, WI Posts: 64 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals Right on there Mike!! I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. I can't believe it was 10 years ago. Alot of great individuals with a true passion for the sport of Stock and Super Stock racing put together a great event. Oh.... and it is going to be in the triple digit temps today just like during the event. I didn't even notice it back then. Thank you Alex, your team of workers, the racers and everyone that had a part in that race.

07-20-2011, 11:53 AM	#3
Gauge guy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals I was there on Friday & Sunday. It was a great race but it was a little warm.

07-20-2011, 11:54 AM	#4
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals Amen. It doesn't get any better. It's a shame that it hasn't been duplicated. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

07-20-2011, 12:03 PM	#5
Mike Carr VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Enon Valley PA Posts: 1,650 Likes: 234 Liked 83 Times in 37 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals http://forum.competitionplus.com/showthread.php?t=8022 __________________ Mike Carr, Tri-State S/SS Association President Looking for 2015 S/SS Race Sponsors Contact me if interested buffdaddy_1302@hotmail.com (724) 510-5912

07-20-2011, 12:17 PM	#6
Steve Polhill Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: London Ontario Posts: 515 Likes: 40 Liked 262 Times in 74 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals It Really does need to be done again. Maybe when it isn't so HOT LOL. I wonder if Norwalk would be interested? __________________ Steve Polhill 3520 STOCK, COMP

07-20-2011, 12:52 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: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals It doesn't seem that long ago! Wow! This post by Mike deserves to be seen by all: The Inagural US Class Nationals By the summer of 2000, most, if not all, Stock and Super Stock racers had realized that we were, to quote S/S racer Alex Denysenko, "relegated to the back of the bus", when it came to competing at National Events. Stuck running at absurd times of the morning and late evenings, if they even got to run at all. While I was at the IHRA World Nationals in Norwalk Ohio in August 2000, I was talking to Alex, who told me of an idea to promote and put on a big-time race, featuring the Super Stock and Stock classes, with special races, contigency and big payouts. The race occured July 20-22, at Byron Dragway in Byron IL, the Inagural GM Performance Parts US Class Nationals. It was a very hot weekend, with temperatures in the high 80's to low 90's, with a lot of sun. Classes to be contested were Super Stock, Stock (with both NHRA and IHRA-legal cars eligible to compete), Top Stock (heads-up, no breakout class for legal A, B and C Stockers at 8.3 pounds per horsepower), Nostalgia/Super Stock, Outlaw S/S, Class Eliminations for S and S/S, as well as a Quick 32, two races sponsored by Kendall, for the 32 quickest qualifiers, one for Stock and one for S/S. Friday started out with time trials and qualifying, as well as the Q-32's. The 32's were run like Comp Eliminator, handicapped off the Class Index, first to the finish line wins. The #'s 1 and 2 qualifiers made the final of each. Stock was won by Dayton OH's Don Holmes, in his K/SA 400-powered '78 Firebird won from the pole, defeating Kentucky's Jonathan Terrance's V/SA V-6 '82 Monte Carlo. S/S was won by second qualifier Mike Mans, in his Minnesota-based GT/JA '00 Firebird, in an upset over the polesitter Richard Oakes. New Jersey resident Oakes was crushing the field in his V6 modified SS/DS four speed '87 Camaro, having a near four tenths cushion on everyone. The track had a 6 pm curfew daily, so the hotlapping on such a warm day was Oakes undoing, as the car never got off the starting line past 60', and the starting line bog handed the win to Mans. At the conclusion of the track's activities, racers made their way to a local country club for a cookout. Saturday brought Class Eliminations on. All cars raced against the others in their own class, to determine bragging rights and Class superiority, and of course, the contigency money. Many great runs were made, and the track, overseen by NHRA Division 3 starter Bill "Redman" Flloyd hooked great, even in the cruel summer heat. There was an auction to benefit D.R.A.W. that evening, and many racers stayed even after that, to socialize at what may have been the first major meet in many, many years to bring NHRA and IHRA Class racers together at such an event of this magnitude. By the time Saturday's qualifying was over, nearly the largest field of Stockers in a long time was assembled. 187 Stockers had made the trip to Byron to compete, from all seven NHRA geographical Divisions. With the Class Nationals being an all-run field (Indy only takes the 128 best cars), it became an eight-round race to take home the money. Add in nearly 100 S/S cars, 20+ Top Stockers and a pretty good field of O/SS and N/SS, the race had over 300 cars in just five eliminators contested that weekend (four, if you count the fact that T/Stk competes within Stock and were part of the 187 Stocker field). Sunday brought about more great racing. Racers were thrown a curve later in the day, as a cold front rolled in with clouds and a pretty good tailwind, which made dialing the cars a handful. The best persevered, and shortly after 5 pm, the winners were crowned, and the Inagural US Class Nationals was deemed an overwhelming success. The event received TV coverage on Inside Drag Racing, with stories, coverage and interviews by the great Bret Kepner, and VHS copies of the race were later sold, done by Stock racer Bill Bureski. Willie Devore (S/S), Jeff Tueton (Stock), and Matt Morgan (T/Stk) were the big winners. Plans were already rolling on a second race, and possibly more. Sadly, it never panned out, for whatever reasons. But, those of us that were there, we will ALWAYS have fond memories of maybe the greatest Class Racing event ever take place. I even gave up bracket racing at an IHRA Divisional at my home track to make the 400+ mile trip to spectate (didn't have a Stocker yet). Every so often, there is discussion and thoughts on messageboards about "We need to have another Class Nationals...", and who knows, maybe in the future, we will see a part 2 of this awesome event. S/S Winner, Willie Devore, Rock Island IL, GT/H '87 Camaro R/U, Denny Steward, Dover PA, GT/EA '87 Daytona Stock Winner, Jeff Teuton, Houma LA, FT/SA '97 Ram R/U, MJ Quinn, Louisville KY, K/SA '85 Camaro T/Stk Winner, Matt Morgan, La PLata MD, '69 Mustang R/U, Al Corda, Elk Mound WI, '00 Firebird __________________ Mike Carr, BuffDaddy Motorsports Enon Valley PA Tri-State Stock/Super Stock Association President buffdaddy_1302@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/buffdaddy1302 . __________________ 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.

07-20-2011, 01:43 PM	#8
Andrew Hill Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 700 Likes: 446 Liked 170 Times in 38 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals Someone needs to get another one of these started! I was too young to race in the first one, and I'd love to be able to now. __________________ 3207 D/SA, C/ED

07-20-2011, 02:13 PM	#9
Joe Demarais Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Forest Lake, Mn Posts: 109 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals It was definitely hot, I used more money for LP to run the generator on the motorhome for 4 days than I did for fuel to drive from Minnesota to Byron and back. It was a very good time __________________ Joe Demarais SS

07-20-2011, 04:32 PM	#10
Jim Parsons Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Kearney Mo Posts: 197 Likes: 422 Liked 195 Times in 30 Posts	Re: 10 years ago today--U.S. Class Nationals There was a rumor early this year that one of the mid west stock/ super stock associations was trying to put one on at the Tri-State Earlville, Iowa facility for late this fall. I heard it from a couple sources but radio salience of late. This also would be also be a great venue for another such race and I'm sure would draw lot of cars. Like the rest of you the best race I have ever attended/ participated in. However it was a little warm that week if I remember correctly, still great event Alex, thanks for the effort. Jim Parsons.