Live from Lebanon Valley,NY- NHRA Lucas Oil

[Jack Matyas]

Well gang , here we are again- on the road with the NHRA Lucas Oil series at the Lebanon Valley , NY track and what a ordeal just for Debbie and I to get here .Both of us had to work today (at least part of the day)and we didn't get on the road till just after 2pm .I really thought I caught a break when after being on the road for only half an hour the Stalba Family rig passed me and I thought maybe I could follow them and ride in their "draft" all the way to the track .That plan worked great for about 100 miles or so then the storms came and hard as I tried there was no way I could keep up with those boys .That rig can just fly !!

Got here around 7 --just in time get parked (in the Diamond RV compound-the race sponsor) .Got to walk around and get the skinny on the test and tune today--everyone I spoke with couldn't say enough about how terrific the track was today -- I can't believe it-- racers who agree with each other---all said they hooked very well - no complaints at all ! ! !

Some of the numbers passed around tonight from the test session--John Armstrong SS/AA --8.84@ a whopping 152mph . Also Jim Boudreau B/SA 10.41 testing to race ?

We'll see how these and other numbers shake out tommorow . By the way , I just read about the NHRA shortening the track to 1000' feet for the Pro's-(Top Fuel and Funny car)- can we be very far behind?

Till tommorow...............

[Evan Smith]

Jack,

Thanks a bunch for the update and keep up the good work. Your reporting is skills are great, I might have a position for you. For those of us who can't be there, remember we want the facts (and the rumors). We want e.t.'s, who's beatin' up who, along with weather conditions. Good luck and have fun.

Evan

[Jack Matyas]

Friday - Fourth of July -Well the good news is that the Sun is out and its not raining but did it ever during the night - this would be a great weekend to be racing at a track thats paved , not here that has grass everywhere (and plenty of mud) . Anal Jack will be cleaning his car all weekend, he can't stand it being dirty - even a little .

Weather for this holiday - slight chance of showers today and tonight - high around 80.
Saturday - showers early with T-storms in the afternoon - chance of rain 60% - high 75
Sunday -scattered T-storms - high in the low 80's

Call 'em to da lanes and lets get rippin' before it makes down ! Debbie

PS- I'm hearing plenty of engines but the Sun is no longer out -looking very gloomy .

[Jack Matyas]

Well its just past noon and guess how many pairs of cars went down the track ? Those who guessed one go to the head of the class-thats right one pair and one of those bounced off the wall.No one hurt but its because water is coming up thru the track surface and not drying.The track officials and the NHRA have been working for over two hours now to no avail-it just keeps coming up (come to think of it I wish I had that problem) .Didn't get the racers name but she is OK I'm told but her car was hurt pretty good .

As you can see from the pic they really are trying hard to fix this and most racers have nothing to do but stand around and BS. Later.............

[Ken Miele]

Hey Jack, not to high jack this thread, but I have to say the ice cream is great. This coming from some experts on the subject. From left to right. Taylor Fletcher, Jessie Biondo and Dylan Biondo. Finally got stk first round in.

Here are some numbers for the air at Lebanon. When I ran at 2:20 in the afternoon. Temp 80, Humidity 45, Barometer 29.35 Corrected Altitude 2700, Slight head wind 2-3 mph.

[Jack Matyas]

Kenny --Haven't had any ice cream yet but its on my list of things to do.Here's the stats race fans and you won't believe it but true anyway .Total race cars on the property-- just over 350. Superstockers--50 and get this --Stockers so far -Holy cow Batman -- 104 WOW ! ! ! Records set so far --one--Cecil Frazier K/SA set the first leg-11.627- still must back up .

First time trial -- #1 Frazier K/SA -1.323
2 Monahan J/SA-1.239
3 Bardekoff B/SA -1.213
4Kreeber G/SA -1.196
5Boudreau B/SA -1.184
6Shaul A/SA -1.171
7 Conte C/SA -1.168
8 Szupka J/SA -1.140
9 Callahan H/SA -1.128
10 Matyas E/SA -1.120