RINI, KINZER, BASKIN, LEE OPEN NMCA SEASON WITH WINSThe NMRA kicked off its 2012 season in fine style under the Florida sun over the weekend, As Tim Essick (Pro Outlaw 10.5) led the list of winners at the traditional season opener. He was joined by new Drag Radial record holder Jason Lee, SSO kingpin John Urist, and many other worthy victors. Read More >>

Mickey Thompson Tires Monday Morning Race Report

NMCA: Same Day Coverage of the NMCA and LSX Shootout on DRAGZINE. Last years championship runner-up Chris Rini got his title hopes off to a rousing start in Bradenton over the weekend at the NMCA season opener, capturing the No. 1 qualifying position and the Pro Street title when he downed Bill Lutz in the final, 6.10 to 6.27. In Super Street, the ageless Willard Kinzer captured his first ever NMCA crown when opponent Mike Murillo struck the tires just off the line, allowing Kinzer to streak to a 6.86-second victory. Skip Baskin defeated a red-lighting David Beeson for the Nostalgia Pro Street win, while Jason Lee followed up his NMRA performance two weeks earlier with a decisive victory in 275 Drag Radial. In Extreme Street, top qualifier Danny Shemwell parlayed his top seed into a final round win, downing David Hatnick with a stout 8.08. Over on the LSX side of things, Andy Essary sailed to a final round 7.41 to edge opponent Mark Koehlers’ 7.78, while Judson Massingill continued his domination of LSX All Motor with a final round rout of Joe Hunnycutt, 8.50 to 8.80. And in LSX Real Street, reigning champ Adam Preston squeaked out an incredible .0008-second margin victory over Paul Falcon in the money round.

NHRA Cajun SPORTSNationals: Veteran sportsman ace Arnie Martel was the benefactor of Kevin Selfs’ foul start in the Competition Eliminator final at the JEG’S.com Cajun SPORSTNationals in the bayou of Belle Rose, La. over the weekend. In Super Stock, Mike Crutchfield edged the always-favored David Rampy, while John John Brimer took the Stock Eliminator crown in a close final round bout with Wade Owens. Another sportsman kingpin, Anthony Bertozzi earned Top Dragster honors as opponent Michelle Le Bleu broke out, and TJ Tracey won the Top Sportsman “Wally” in a double breakout affair with Mark Buehring. For complete results from the sportsman national event at Belle Rose, log on to Drag Race Central.

MIRock: Jeremy Teasley captured the Pro Street title at the MIRock season opener at the Rockingham Dragway on Sunday, while Ronald Procopio Jr.took Pro Mod honors with an eighth-mile clocking of 4.18 as opponent Rob Hunnicutt left to early. In a rare double red-light final, Johnny “Turbo” Dobrin came out the winner with his closer -.110 reaction as Ashon Dickerson left much too early. For more results and photos, visit DragBike Live.

The Weekend Winner Circle

ROSS Racing Pistons NMCA Muscle Car Nationals – Bradenton, Fla. As has become traditional, the cars and stars of the NMCA opened their 2012 campaign under sunny skies in the state of Florida, where they were joined by the GM faithful contesting the opening round of the LSX Shootout. EVENT WINNERS Pro Street: Chris Rini Super Street: Willard Kinzer Nostalgia Pro Street: Skip Baskin Extreme Street: Danny Shemwell Pro Stock: Don Baskin 275 Drag Radial: Jason Lee Mean Street: Jeremy Gillam Open Comp: Frank Radake Nostalgia Super Stock: Douglas Poskevich Nostalgia Muscle Car: Gerry Vizzo Super Pro: Mark Mullen Sportsman: Matt Cummings LSX Drag Radial: Andy Essary LSX All Motor: Judson Massingill LSX Real Street: Adam Preston LSX Index Rumble: Rob Farley LSX EFI Rumble: Bobby Barrick LSX 5th Gen Camaro: Joshua Perrymon Click here to view more results >>

JEG’S NHRA Cajun SPORTSNationals – Belle Rose, La. Veteran sportsman ace Arnie Martel was the benefactor of Kevin Selfs’ foul start in the Competition Eliminator final at the JEG’S.com Cajun SPORSTNationals in the bayou of Belle Rose, La. over the weekend. In Super Stock, Mike Crutchfield edged the always-favored David Rampy, while John John Brimer took the Stock Eliminator crown in a close final round bout with Wade Owens. Another sportsman kingpin, Anthony Bertozzi earned Top Dragster honors as opponent Michelle Le Bleu broke out, and TJ Tracey won the Top Sportsman “Wally” in a double breakout affair with Mark Buehring. EVENT WINNERS Competition Eliminator: Arnie Martel Super Stock: Mike Crutchfield Stock: John Brimer Super Comp: Steve Mikus Super Gas: Dillon Bontrager Super Street: Val Harmon Sportsman Motorcycle: Kyle Olson Top Dragster: Anthony Bertozzi Top Sportsman: TJ Tracey Nostalgia Eliminator II: Bob Johnson Nostalgia Eliminator III: Lindsey Lister Hot Rod: Chris Pedersen Click here to view more results >>