All images courtesy: Kirk Binder

Many of the stars of the NHRA and the ADRL stopped over at the U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan this week as several racers got in some pre-NHRA U.S. Nationals testing before the trip south to Indianapolis, and local lens-man Kirk Binder was in attendance and shared a few of his photos of the goings-on at 131.

Among those making laps were NHRA Pro Stock racers Greg Stanfield, V. Gaines, and Grace Howell – who will make her professional debut at Indy – along with Pro Modified competitors Rickie and Matt Smith, Troy Coughlin, and Extreme Pro Stock star Peter Berner.

During Tuesday’s testing, the elder Smith, who has been sidelined with leg injuries following a crash at Bristol in mid-June, uncorked a 5.90 at 242 MPH in his brand new Jerry Bickel-built 2012 Camaro. Coughlin, also making his first laps on a brand new car and turbocharged engine combination, netted a stellar 6.02. And Howell, behind the wheel of Jim Cunningham’s Ford Mustang, reportedly clicked off a 6.66 on a shutoff pass.