NMCA Florida 08 - Friday Coverage

mark@streetlegaltv · #1 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 11:02 AM

It is the NMCA's 20th year and that must mean we are in Bradenton for the season opener. Temperature is about 10 degrees warmer then the NMRA event two weeks ago. If you followed our coverage last year, Sunday was severely plagued by rain. Finals from last year didn't end until Monday morning. This time though, there is no threat of rain this weekend as we look forward to patchy clouds and lots of sunshine.

mark@streetlegaltv · #2 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 12:14 PM

Runner up in Pro Stock last year, John Langer is back with a freshened Firebird., from coilover shocks to latter bars. The car went under the knife concluding the Memphis finals until 3 weeks prior to the 2008 Bradenton event. The Pontiac power plant has been freshened, 25.4 spec cage, rebuilt transmission, and new converter. The car was repainted, but looked like the ol blue and white Firebird that we are use to.

When I asked John about how it ran in testing, Langer said "It'll hunt, even with the extra weight."

We agree. First run down the track, Langer posted a 8.62 E.T. which was good enough to tie last years record posted by Pro Stock Champ Bruce Maichle here last year. Also dont forget, we have 1900 more feet of air this year compared to last year.

mark@streetlegaltv · #3 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 12:37 PM

Jim Blair rolled in Friday with new graphics cocooning his always fancy rig. But the rig parked along the fence, and the rear door remained closed. So why isn't Jim Blair, last years Super Street champion not running this year? Car just isn't done yet. Though he remarked that it would be in Bowling Green for the second race of the year.

Blair did plan to register his Grand Marquis to get his 10 tech points.

Jim Blair being missing at Florida could be a major blow to his efforts to repeat at Super Street champion.

poweradmin · #4 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 02:23 PM

There has been a lot of requests for incrementals from John Langer's pass. Well, courtesy of the NMCA, comes the magical incrementals.

One thing that was interesting was that despite great altitude the temperature was 77 degrees. This e.t. bodes well for Team Langer who is looking to freight train the rest of the NMCA Pro Stock class in 08.

mark@streetlegaltv · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 02:55 PM

Mike Yedgarian and crew made the 1800 mile (or 2900 kilometers) haul from Toronto across snow and rain covered lands to make it to sunny Florida. This car has been seen as a top contender in the 2000-2001 NMCA Championship. Now it is back, hopefully, for the full season. The Firebird won the 2006 OSCA championship and came in runner up for the 2007 season.

This car might look familiar to some as it use to be red up to the fire they had in Michigan were the car burnt to the ground. This 449ci Pro Charged combo is the first Pro Charged Super Street car to make a 6 second run. If he can keep consistent, Mike is going to be a big player in the 2008 NMCA season.

mark@streetlegaltv · #6 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 03:08 PM

Back in Milan Butch Kemp sold his Pro Stock Camaro to Skip Baskin and resurrected his Nova II project. As rules changed, Butch was forced to re engineer the car. The Nova has an all new latter bar and rear end setup to go along with his 420ci bowtie with new CFE heads. Also this car is clean, show car clean and we hope Butch keeps it that way.

"It's fast, everyone knows.... I've got a target on my back." Butch remarked. We know Butch, which is why you probably got the "random selection" in the tech line Friday morning

powerjames · #7 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 05:28 PM

Mark got an awesome wheel stand sequence from Team JPC's Mean Street entry. Check it out below. You can also see the entire sequence here.

mark@streetlegaltv · #8 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 05:49 PM

We captured a full set of Test and Tune photos at NMCA Bradenton 2008. Check them out here.

powerjames · #9 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 06:09 PM

The former Pro 5.0 record holder Steve Matusek is on the property to try to do to the Pro Street class what he did to NMRA Pro 5.0. Dominate. The unique Nelson Race Cars built GT500 is powered by a Ford twin-turbocharged Modular 5.4L engine that is only 324 cubic inches. After having run low 6.50s at 2600 lbs, it remains to be seen if he can run the 6.40s necessary to competitive with tthe top of the Pro Street world.

In his test pass today Matusek ran a 7.066 at 208.04 in an easy hit that was likely partially affected by poor track conditions.

powerjames · #10 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 06:33 PM

Station wagons are the shit. Wagons with bead lock rims and parachutes? Now that is my ultimate favorite.

Eric Kenward races in the NMCA Street Race class, and Mark got his car making a nice test and tune pass. This wagon runs 9.40s on a soft tune up, and with it's nitrous fed small block Chevy can even go up on the bumper with radial tires, which it did, only a few weeks ago.

Jake A. @ Fastest Street Car Magazine even commented, "the paint looks like it was applied with a roller."

Sweet. The best thing is - this wagon can probably run low 9's and be very competitive.