NMCA Bowling Green 2011 Same Day Coverage

After more than a month hiatus, the stars of the NMCA are back in action here at the Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, KY., where for the first time, they’ll compete for the coveted NHRA “Wally” as part of the new partnership with the NHRA Unleashed program. After several rain-hampered events and devastating flooding during last year’s event, the NMCA opted to the move the race from it’s traditional May date to this, the first weekend of August. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-90’s this weekend, creating a tough challenge for the tuners of the series’ faster machines. Stay tuned all weekend as we bring you all the action.

Special thanks to our event sponsor SCT Performance. Check out their great line of tuning products at www.sctflash.com.

Honk if you've seen this race car from this angle before. 84-year old Willard Kinzer, who purchased David Wolfe's dominant, record-setting Outlaw Drag Radial machine this spring, is competing in Super Street on the radials for the first time this weekend. Kinzer is here with the Jeff Lutz camp, and has the one and only Patrick Barnhill assisting in the tuning department.

Clint Hairston is making his season debut with the NMCA this weekend in the family's GTO that Troy Coughlin has been campaigning in the NHRA Pro Modified series this year. Coughlin's new mount was picked up last week, allowing Clint, father Jim, and brother Jake to come out this weekend. According to Jim, the team plans on taking the car to the NHRA U.S. Nationals as a backup to Troy's new car, and will then enter the NMCA Finals in indy in October. This car has been in the 5's this season, so they're a player right out of the box.

Dan Stevenson, who had a stellar outing at Joliet, coming up just short of Randy Adler in the Pro Street finale, is back for another crack at the tough Pro Street division this weekend. The Bolingbrook, Ill. based team has broughr along the legendary Charles Carpenter once again to turn the knobs and dials.

Keith McCoy, who has been a longtime fixture in Nostalgia Pro Street, is making his first outing of the season this weekend. His father, David (pictured), helps put the classic Firebird down the racetrack.

Dave Pierce was the first of the high-horsepower cars to take to the racetrack this morning. Pierce's Camaro rattled the tires hard right at the hit and headed straight for the centerline before he wisely lifted.

Popeye himself, Pat Musi, is in the house this weekend, helping Joe Dunne and team as they take on a very impressive field of Pro Street cars this weekend.

Dan Stevenson clicked off an opening shot of 6.42 seconds at 223 MPH.

After a lazy front half, Willard Kinzer's machine poured on the coals in the back half, clicking off a 7.13 at a booming 220 MPH to the cheers of Patrick Barnhill and the rest of the team.

This was the result of Super Street racer Dave Laurer's testing hit at the Beech Bend quarter mile, putting us on hold as the track was checked for fluids. After a brief delay, we're back at it.

Tony Nesbitt had the quickest Super Street lap of testing with a 6.99.

This is not the quickest route to the finish line, as Clint Hairston found out on his only hit this afernoon.

Dave Laurer confirmed that the torque converter in his Mustang had seen better days. He and his crew were busy replacing the converter and doing it with a smile as they crawled around under the car in the less-than-pleasant heat and humidity.

Qualifying Round One

It was a round of struggles for the Pro Street contingent, as Dave Pierce conslused the session atop the charts with his 6.229 at 223.69. Alex Viscardi tossed the laundry before the traps, recording a 6.33 for second. Jeff Lutz's shutoff 6.37 at 206 and Joe Dunne's 6.41 rounded out the top four.

Mike Murillo continues to the break the backs of the Super Street contingent with his SCT Performance Mustang, cranking off a 6.70 at a 216.90 after throwing the chutes a couple hundred feet early. That effort was nearly two tenths quicker than #2 Tony Nesbitt at 6.88. Steve Summers' 7.19 was the only other full pass of the session.

Jim Jarret sits atop the provisional qualifying order at 7.347 and 187.21 MPH. Andy Vought's Trans Am sits second at 7.45, followed by Chuck DeMory Jr. at 7.47, Skip Baskin (7.58), and Keith McCoy (8.76).

Jamie Stanton clicked off the only seven-second pass of the round, a 7.989 at 175.68 to pace the impressive Xtreme Street field. Michael Keenan sits second with a stellar 8.008 from his Mustang, while Phil "Cornndog" Smith sits third at 8.08.

Robbie Blankenship sits atop a tight Pro Stock field with an 8.571 at 161.98 from his Mustang. Michaell DeMayo trails just behind with an 8.593, Charlie Booze Jr. is third with an 8.604. Greg Delaney anchors the field in his killer Camaro at 8.881.

Don Baskin drove his Chevy II to the top of the leaderboard in Mean Street, recording a 9.96 at 132.14.

Jason Lee was able to keep the Strange Engineering Mustang on earth to record a great 7.71 at 179.02. Michael Fratena sits second at 8.139 and 184.50.

Jason Lee was able to keep the Strange Engineering Mustang on earth to record a great 7.71 at 179.02 to head up the Drag Radial field. Michael Fratena sits second at 8.139 and 184.50.