NMCA Florida 08 - Sunday Coverage

[powerjames]

I just wanted to thank Al Tucci for helping Mark, Jeff, and Rob with the coverage and video...Al did a great job and really added to the coverage that Scott Sparrow and Jake A. did! Check it out below.

Al Tucci covering the "Top 4 stories in 4 Minutes" from Saturday's Qualifying

[Chevelle Rob]

SUNDAY NOTES FROM THE PITS



In Nitto Tires 10.5 Super Street Jeff Shawver couldn't build any boost on the line against Spiro Pappas in round one eliminations. Further inspection in the pits revealed a broken stator support in the transmission.





Bruce Maichle had to replace a broken starter between rounds after taking the victory against David Wright in round one.







In first round 2007 NPS champion Jeff Colletta got the win over new competitor Phil Swales. Based out of Lousiana, Jeff also plans to defend his championship this year using Futral Motorsports symmetrical port BBC power and Cold Fusion nitrous, he has the fastest mile per hour here this weekend and had quick ET so far today.
Pictured above are , Kenny Lafferty Jeff Colletta and Terry Williams.





Mike Fratena lost in round one to number one qualifier in Car Craft Street Race, John Macaluso, spinning the tires in the process. Rule changes for 2008 have left the turbo cars a bit down on power as the turbo diameter was reduced by 2 milimeters. They have some tricks up their sleeve to try for some power and plan to attend the Bowling Green Kentucky event on May 2-4th.



I had a quick chat with Jimmy Marino after his win this morning against Budano's red light in Pro Street. Scotty Guadagno was in the trailer offering tune up advice after Jimmy is trying a new converter this weekend. Jimmy said "It's unbelieveable to come to a big event like this and race someone like Vinnie Budano and still be in the race." They had changed several things on the car and managed a 4.5X to the 1/8 so far, though the car normally runs bottom 4.30's, needless to say they plan to switch back to what they know after this weekend.

[powerjames]

Mean Street - Round 1



• When he figured out how to not fold his rear bumper into his sheet metal wing, Jeremy Gillam became the man in Mean Street. A 9.997 at 133.90 in round 1, with a 82 degree outside temperature, was the first 9-second pass in the class, and the end of Kyle Fawcett's weekend.

Jeff Swanson had a competition bye single and ran a 10.13 at 133.03, slightly off his qualifying e.t. of 10.11, and Don Baskin would also run a 10.11 at 129.19 to defeat Von Ahnen.

[powerjames]

• As of round 2, Mark Micke is starting to make a case for himself as a serious NMCA Pro Street Driver to be reckoned with in 2008. Micke is driving a ProCharger blown big block Camaro, and he sent Vincent Demieri packing with a stout 6.45 at 216.9. The thing about Micke's '67 Camaro is that he is consistent and also deadly on the tree - check out the .039 r/t.

• Former NMCA Champ Steve Miller marches on to Round 3 taking care of Jimmy Marino with a 6.455 at a sizzling 227.79 mph to Marino's 6.69 at 209.69 effort.



• Steve King joins the 6.45 club, (what the heck - three 6.45 runs in a ROW in the left lane) at 225.45 mph to defeat Randall Haynes.

• Bischoff's Ford-powered Cougar goes low e.t. of the round with a 6.41 at 220.04 mph to defeat the only other Ford in Pro Street of Markwart.

[powerjames]

Super Street



• It appeared increasingly likely that Spiro Pappas was going to end up in the Finals after his competition bye resulted in a best e.t. of 7.019 at 207.46 with a crisp 1.23 60-foot. Spiro's single turbocharged machine has been running 7.0's and 6.99's all weekend and he was not to be denied.



• In the other two races in the second Round of Super Street, Millen would defeat Frank Mewshaw and Richard Bligh would get a broke bye as Shawn Zubler was unable to make the call due to the aformentioned smoked piston.

[powerjames]

Nostalgia Pro Street



• We've been talking a lot about Jim Widener in NPS this weekend and that's because he qualified #1 and has been going consistent 7.50s. He had a bye run in Round 2 and made his best run with a 7.55 at 183.33



• Barb Nesbitt met heart break in Round 2 at the hands of Mike Schmidt when she wasted a stellar 7.56 at 182.74 mph run that crushed Schmidt on a .301 light that gave the win to the right lane. The margin of victory was only .07 but she was very close to catching him.

• Other winner's would include Colletta with a 7.58 over Remek and John Schroeder with a 7.66 over Billy Joe Gordon.

[powerjames]

Xtreme Street Round 2



• Rivals since their days in NMRA Renegade, there wasn't a sweeter battle in E2 than Bart Tobener and Bob Kurgan. Kurgan had the faster machine all weekend and there was no exception in this match up as he walked away from Tobener with a 8.17 to Bart's 8.37. This would be the best performances of the round. Shemwell was close with a 8.21 in defeating Troy Pirez Jr., and Trovato, Kennan, Bartholme, and Coble would advance.

[powerjames]

Pro Stock Round 2



• Round 2 in Pro Stock was weird. Almost the entire field spun on the starting line. John Langer's car drove dead right on the starting line and gave the win to Bruce Maichle who ran a 8.69 at 160.17 mph. Maichle ran a 1.38 60-foot which was best of the round!

• Kemp had a single where he went 1.41 instead of his customary 1.23's, and Jeff Chandler red-lit against Demayo who smoked his hides to a 1.53 60-foot and a 9.0. This would set up a very interesting semi-finals.

[powerjames]

Pro Street



• Round three Pro Street saw Steve Miller fall off pace against Steve King's Camaro, only managing a soft 6.85 @ 196 to King's 6.70 @ 218. It was pretty obvious that the big block twin turbo Machine was hurt as flat out it couldn't run 200 mph. Miller is doing fine with his Truck this weekend so look for him to be a top contender all year. King would move on to the finals in his brand new car.





• Mark Micke and his blown big block fought number one qualifier Tony Bischoff in the semi's and took the win on a hole shot running a 6.44 @ 218 to Tony's 6.42 @ 220. Bischoff's slow reaction time really killed him here and despite the car's outstanding performance it was trailer time for the nitrous Ford.



• In 10.5 Super Street Spiro Pappas had Dan Millen for his test, which he passed with flying colors running a 7.05 @ 206 to Millen's spinning 7.52 @ 168. Millen only ran a 1.35 60-foot, not good enough. Spiro took the tree as well with a nice .018 light in a battle of the single turbo machines. Millen has chased chassis and suspension gremlins both here and at the NMRA Florida event - once he gets things sorted out he will be in business.



• Richard Bligh and his purple Saleen were set to match up for Zebler - who had burned a piston in the previous round's racing. There was some controversy over the match up, as some said that Bligh opted not to wait for Zebler who was just minutes away from running. However, in the past the NMCA has run pairs on a specified order and waiting was not permitted no matter the case, so this may be mis-information or rumor. Bligh ran a 7.66 @ 185, not nearly good enough for lane choice, especially when your next round opponent is the top of the field. With a best of 7.46 pretty much everyone in the stands new Spiro was going to start the season with a victory.

Nostalgia Pro Street



• John Schroder brought the house - he just didn't have enough oats against NPS number one qualifier Jim Widener's nitrous Mustang. Schroder ran the same ET he qualified with - a 7.68 - with a bit more mph, but it was no match for Widener's 7.56.



• Jeff Colletta took the win over Mike Schmidt, cutting a light and outrunning the Sunrise Florida resident to the tune of .156 hundredths.The Nostalgia Pro Street field was filled with Florida cars, representing over half the field. Colletta went a 7.62 setting up a close and competitive final round.

Xtreme Street



• Xtreme Street saw Cameron Coble and Danny Shemwell line up for the semi's with one of the closest races of the weekend. Coble took the tree by .03 with an .050 light only to loose by just over .007 with each driver running better than qualifying numbers. Coble's hard charging 8.099 @ 175 couldn't get it done against Shemwell's 8.088 @ 169. Margin of victory was a scant .0073.

• Bob Kurgan had a bye and he just took a light and backed up.

This has to be some of the best coverage you guys have ever done.