Snowbird Nationals '13 Same Day Coverage From Bradenton - Page 3 of 4

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While much of the racing world is in full-on hibernation mode and still drifting in and out of a post-Thanksgiving feast food coma, the racing marches on in the sunshine state of Florida, and once again, the Bradenton Motorsports Park is playing host to the annual rite of drag racing passage known as the Snowbird Nationals, featuring Pro Mod, Open Outlaw, Pro Drag Radial, and a whole pile of racing and exhibition categories.

A special thanks to the presenting sponsor of our same day event coverage, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels!

Friday kicks off the Snowbird Nationals with a day of testing. Here Adam Flamholc heats the tires before his first pass since a terrible crash earlier this year at St Louis’ NHRA AAA Insurance Nationals. The Camaro was destroyed int he crash and this is the replacement. Certainly a fine choice. He clicked it early on this run after a very nice 60′ then getting some tire shake.

I spoke with Tommy D’April about what’s what for Mel Bush Motorsports and the now sinister black Impala. They are here testing the car in ¼ mile trim and plan to run this car as an NHRA legal Pro Mod next year with the Corvette being set up for Outlaw style events.

Robert Abbott is running his 69 Camaro in Pro Mod this weekend with a new Hemi from Todd Tutterow set between the rails. His first run today netted a run in the low 4.0 range in a side by side run with Mike Stavrinos.

Randy Auwarter owns this Mustang and is here running Outlaw Drag Radial. Conrad Scarry had tested earlier this year at the NMRA Spring Break Shootout tearing up the right side in a brush with the wall. New fenders, some minor chassis repairs and a fresh coat of paint have it ready to rock. The engine is a 449 cubic inch small block Ford built by Tony Barker and fed by a pair of 88 MM turbos. Mississippi’s own Kyle Magginson will be driving this weekend with power transferred by an ATF glide. Sponsors include Tailsport, ATF and Mickey Thompson. From left to right, Keith Auwarter, Kyle Magginson and Randy Auwarter with Ashton Magginson in front.

Jimmy Keen got right down broadway with a clean 3.96 at 190 MPH.

Mike Freeman is back at it with a new engine and an F1-R Procharger on board. I caught up with Mike in the pits as Jason Gatlin was on hand assisting on the computer. He is running Pro Drag Radial this weekend, using this event as a test session as the car is set up to run X275.

The Witch Doctor altered pulled carried the wheels out a little ways, you don't see that too often. The car is entered in Open Outlaw this weekend.

The Witch Doctor altered carried the wheels out a little ways, you don’t see that too often. The car is entered in Open Outlaw this weekend.

George Williams is fresh off his Pro Street runner up at the Orlando World Street Nationals just a month ago. The team is doing maintenance on the car today and getting it set up for eighth mile.

Mel Nelson's Pro Drag Radial Camaro is fresh out of Chassis Engineering where Clayton Murphy backhalfed the car and installed a 4-link. The results showed right away as the first hit was a clean 4.53 at 178 MPH. The team has been struggling recently with keeping the car hooked up down track with the stock style suspension, which can be especially finicky.

Todd Moyer and Lamar Swindall made the trek from Texas to compete in the Pro Mod class which has well over 20 cars this weekend. Todd Moyer shown.

Dan Saitz brought his Pro Street/Pro Mod Ford Probe down for some testing and racing. It’s been about three years since he has campaigned this car which is sporting fresh paint and a new big block engine. This is the third or fourth race after completing the upgrades late this year.

Scotty Gaudagno was on a nice run but a late run backfire blew the scoop into the sky. I'll check on the Jet Blue crew for a damage report later.

Scott Queesenberry torched a head on number seven cylinder this evening and the damage is severe enough they are done for the weekend. The head is burnt and welded itself to the head stud negating any efforts to remove it in the car.

George Williams made to runs tonight. The last of which was a nice 4.01 making crew chief Mike Hill somewhat happy. Look for Williams to step it up a little in Saturday's qualifying.

George Williams made two runs tonight. The last of which was a nice 4.01 making crew chief Mike Hill somewhat happy. Look for Williams to step it upsome in Saturday’s qualifying.