Live from the 40th annual "Pennsylvania Dutch Classic"

[MikeFicacci]

The American Muscle portion of the Dutch Classic turned out to be a great show. Granted it was only for the Mustangs/Challengers but it was heads-up racing and that is cool in any capacity. In the end, Fezell and Ficacci put up big numbers in qualifying with a set of mid-30 passes. Barton lead the pack of Challengers with a stout 9.51 but we all seemed to suspect there was more in the bag and that became evident when he unleashed a 9.41 pass on the brakes in the semi's to take out Fezell. The final looked promising as the supercharged Mustang was in the 30's all day Barton kept going faster and faster as the day went on. In the final match-up, both cars left the line with the wheels in the sky. Ficacci was pointed straight as an arrow and Barton was fading out of the groove. Untimately Barton was unable to keep the car on the track and nutted it into the wall twice as Ficacci passed the line with a 9.25 pass at over 140 mph.

P.S. Not trying to boast at all. Simply did not see any news from the crack news team as to the outcome of the shootout. Most of you know I only care about heads-up racing and being that few supported Top Stock with the old cars, its good to see at least someone is out there making it happen.

[SSDA Hemi]

Originally Posted by MikeFicacci

Most of you know I only care about heads-up racing and being that few supported Top Stock with the old cars, its good to see at least someone is out there making it happen.

AMEN! As much as everyone loves to bash the new cars, if it wasn't for them showing up with factory support and adding cars to the class, I think there there would be a dozen threads about the demise of class racing. At least we know SS and Stock aren't going anywhere for the next few years anyway.

And yes I had to race Anthony B's '08 stang for class at the Dutch. And I can tell you first hand being nose to nose with that car for the first two gears gave me some of the most satisfaction of the year! Unfortunately when that 'stang went into high gear...