US Nationals Saturday Coverage

[Chevelle Rob]

Good morning it’s Saturday here in Bradenton. Several teams were working late getting things ready for todays qualifying.

Carl Robinson, Mickey Thompson Director of Motorsports is going to do a live interview on the Sammy and Bob show on ESPN Radio in Houston Texas, 97.5. at 11:30 Eastern. Don't miss out on that.

The Ticket on ESPN Radio





Chuck Ulsch had a rod bolt failure during testing yesterday after running a 4.10 @ 191. Team Mobley stripped the engine down and enlisted Chris Nelson to make the repairs. Try re fired the car last night and were all done before midnight.



Here is Gil actually working.





Big Truck Driver covering up to avoid the shame that would come if I told you whose shirt he was wearing.





I caught Steve Petty busy in Jake Carlton’s pit. They just installed the engine late Friday night and fired it up last night.



Hank Hill was working on setting up Robert Abbott’s Blown Outlaw 10.5 Camaro with a little help.







Tony Ridenour cut a tire yesterday so they are changing it out this morning.







Jeff Paulk’s “Car Killer” broke an input shaft yesterday. It’s all better now.


Gassing up in the Hance pits





Kevin Fiscus showed up late last night after having to make some un expected repairs from the Tomato Nats.

[Chevelle Rob]

[Chevelle Rob]

Round Two Qualifying Update

During the first round of qualifying Troy Pirez ripped off a 4.79 @ 151 for third spot.


Kevis Fiscus laid one down taking the top spot from Will Stevenson with a 4.73 @ 162.


Will and Kevin were first around the corner in Radial Tire with Will getting there first on a holeshot, never mind that doesn’t count in qualifying.



Tony Ridenour improves to a 4.80.



Chuck Ulsch gets it done in Outlaw 10.5 earning the number one position running a 4.26 @174 after basically rebuilding the engine last night, sending Brad Brand a step back.



Dale Collins Jr. Improves in a big way from 14th to 4th with a 4.45 @170.





In Pro Street action Mike Hill knocks Trevor Eman to second running a 4.10 @ 180.

Ray Schuler moves up seven spots to fifth. 4.25 @ 169

Steve Drummand puts the brand new 09 mustang in tenth with a 4.35 @ 171.





TRZ Motorsports is the sponser of Real Street here this weekend. There eleven cars in class today with a couple more showing up. Clint Lonon and Rick Losee are still at the top, with both cars running Induction Solutions plate systems. Eric Kenward took over third from Aaron Gramer with a 5.43 @129.



Mike Miller also Improved now sitting in fourth.



Troy Pirez Jr. also improved to a 5.52 @127, though he was bumped back to fifth.

[Chevelle Rob]

[Chevelle Rob]

In Pro Street there are 9 cars running in the 4.30 range with Mike Hill on top with a 4.10 @ 180.



Number two qualifier, Trevor Emam

Dave Hance made the field in fifth position running a 4.22 @186 after struggling in the first two sessions







One of the Goforth cars. They finished 1-2 here last year.





Here is a shot of the new pro Street entry built and driven by Steve Drummond.



New car for team Carlton





Mike Tokarz heating them up in Pro Street

Outlaw 10.5 saw 3 cars in the 4.30’s or better. Ulsch is number one with a 4.26 Friday night. In the final session today Bill Futch got down with a nice 6.36 flat @ 180.

Brad Brand has high MPH I Outlaw 10.5



Robert Abbott, currently twentieth.



Mike Schmidt is number one in Heavy Street. 4.89 @ 147

Lee Saunders is number two with his twin turbo Viper. He broke the rear in the final session. Hopefully they can make repairs tonight.

There are 28 cars in Radial Tire with no less than ten cars in the 4.80’s.

Kevin Fiscus sits on top with a 4.68 @ 166.



Matt Mugall set a new record for nitrous cars, running a stellar 4.73 @ 152



Will Stevenson set a new personal best with a 4,74 @ 155 in the first session Friday night.



Troy Pirez Sr. also set a new personal best running his first 4.79 @ 151.



The Scrantons are getting the car worked out as well, running a 4.85 @ 154.

I have to cinfirm this with the Markwich’s, but I am pretty sure his 4.88 is a best for them as well.



Chad Opaleski qualified with a 4.90 @ 147 for eleventh. He did run 4.89 in testing Friday morning though, also a new best for them



John Kolivas sits forth in Radial Tire



The original Goodtimer, Tony Ridenour. Amada Long helps out staging.



Goodtimer George Barnett is number one qualifier in 6.50

Eleven cars made the show for Real Street, with Clint Lonon leading the way. He inproved in the foinal session to a 5.31 @ 133

Troy Pirez Jr jumped from Fifth place to third with a 5.42 @ 128

Archie Marasco also jumped in front of Enrique Perez for eighth, running a 5.69 in the first outing since switching to Real Street from Stock Suspension.