Live from Maple Grove-NHRA Lucas Oil Series

[Jack Matyas]

Hey kids get up -- its race day and the Sun is shining ( at least at this moment ) - today will be packed with action as many classes haven't had their first round yet .

Stock was filled with action before the rains came yesterday with several good heads-up races and this seasons first "official " warning concerning execessive finish line braking - Bobby Bender while driving his forty-something hundred pound Kingswood O/SA decided to hit the binders hard while being chased by the 150 MPH P C Richard Mustang driven by Anthony Fetch .Plenty of front tire smoke for Bobby who won the round but was greeted at the scales and was told that won't be tolerated .Guess the NHRA is getting serious about this and rightfully so .Being Mr.Bender hasn't been a previous offender he got a pass -- but their watching ..........

Side note - half an hour or so from now I'll be loading my GTO for its trip to Texas - I can tell you for sure that some of me is going with that car .......I'll just work harder today and try not to think about it ..........Kind of fitting - when building that car I said it was to be "The Last Indian" - now its going the land of cowboys and indians . Bon Voyage my friend -we've been good together .

[Jack Matyas]

Like I promised Stock was exciting this morning - plenty of run-outs , redlites ,and just plain great racing - weather is very close to yesterday morning .SuperStock up soon ......

[stage1scott]

Originally Posted by Jack Matyas

Side note - half an hour or so from now I'll be loading my GTO for its trip to Texas - I can tell you for sure that some of me is going with that car .......I'll just work harder today and try not to think about it ..........Kind of fitting - when building that car I said it was to be "The Last Indian" - now its going the land of cowboys and indians . Bon Voyage my friend -we've been good together .

So Jack-for someone who loves your live reports and follows your racing exploits from the far away west coast-I am interested to hear what direction you are taking. I saw a "Chieftain" Firebird in a video from there this weekend-moving gfrom the GTO to a firebird and if so, how did I miss that? Please get me up to speed!

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by stage1scott

So Jack-for someone who loves your live reports and follows your racing exploits from the far away west coast-I am interested to hear what direction you are taking. I saw a "Chieftain" Firebird in a video from there this weekend-moving gfrom the GTO to a firebird and if so, how did I miss that? Please get me up to speed!

Jack has had the firebird for years.

[stage1scott]

Originally Posted by Dennis P Chapman

Jack has had the firebird for years.

Thanks Dennis-I wasn't aware of that. Followed the GTO build up from the beginning, and never realized there was a Firebird in the background.

[Jack Matyas]

Originally Posted by stage1scott

So Jack-for someone who loves your live reports and follows your racing exploits from the far away west coast-I am interested to hear what direction you are taking. I saw a "Chieftain" Firebird in a video from there this weekend-moving gfrom the GTO to a firebird and if so, how did I miss that? Please get me up to speed!

Scott - Yes , you saw my Trans Am here this weekend but I'm not driving it ---------------- Jeff Jewell is at the controls this weekend and doing a fine job .But I'll be back at the helm next week at Englishtown .BTW , "Chieftain VI " has been in my stable since 1995 and is at this moment " for sale " .

And thanks for the kind words .............

[Jack Matyas]

SuperStock got their first round in -- again an exciting deal .I watch from downtrack in the stands and you wouldn't believe how many racers lost just because they had a huge lead and didn't look and lift ........Guess its easy to armchair quarterback .

[Joe Grippo]

Some video from this weekend....

Bender & Fetch


DeMarzo & Pires


Sawka & Thomas

[Joe Grippo]

Scenes from the Grove....


5-12_GROVE LODRS_017 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr


5-12_GROVE LODRS_011 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr


5-12_GROVE LODRS_089 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr


5-12_GROVE LODRS_059 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr


5-12_GROVE LODRS_030 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr

[Joe Grippo]

More...


5-12_GROVE LODRS_025 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr


5-12_GROVE LODRS_255 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr


5-12_GROVE LODRS_251 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr


5-12_GROVE LODRS_223 by Joe Grippo, on Flickr