Recent Entries
NASCAR Fans Deserve More Than An Apology After Sunday’s Debacle at Indianapolis
Southwest Virginia shines at VHSL Spring Jubilee
Rain postpones Honaker-James River
Grimm, Nidiffer, Cannon eye Omaha
Monthly Archives
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
RSS Feeds
NHRA: The Burn Is Back
May 18, 2008The cars are back on the track and the racing is on. A heavy cloud cover has the sky looking ink black. And I’d estimate around 750 fans stuck around through the day’s fourth rain delay. But the ones who did are watching a treat. The contrast in images being created by a black night, low-lit stadium lights and high-fuel fire is fascinating. And a majority of the remaining fans have crammed the gates near the front of the strip to take everything in.
Funny Car just went through its semfinals bracket, with Melanie Troxel and Mike Neff making the finals.
Tony Schumacher wins the Top Fuel division with an elapsed time of 4.555 seconds at 306.81 miles-per-hour.
Schumacher’s continued success is the story of the day right now.
But if Troxel wins—after knocking out Ashley Force in the quarterfinals—then Troxel becomes the new headline.
Posted by Brian T. Smith NHRA: Weather Update
May 18, 2008The rain has stopped and the track is currently being dried. Word is racing should start back up around 8:30 p.m. And the general feel is that the day should end sometime around 11 p.m.
“We have every intention of getting this thing done and handing out trophies tonight.”—Thunder Valley public address announcer at 7:45 p.m.
Posted by Brian T. Smith NHRA: Dark Clouds
May 18, 2008Two hours’ worth of solid racing ended, thanks to a cover of dark, near-black clouds and the threat of lightning.
The general prediction is that we’ll get all the racing in before the night is over. But right now, the stands have been cleared and the track is empty.
Posted by Brian T. Smith NHRA: Forces Are Out
May 18, 2008John Force was knocked out in the first round Sunday, while Melanie Troxel just defeated Ashley Force in the Funny Car quarterfinals. The duel between Troxel and Ashley was picture-perfect. Both drivers got a great jump off green and Troxel held off Ashley late for the edge.
Weather update: Rain intermittently plagued Thunder Valley throughout Sunday afternoon, but the last hour has marked the first true, straight run of racing all day. A good crowd has stuck around to take in the action.
Posted by Brian T. Smith View From the Stands: Danny Kincaid on John Force
May 18, 2008Danny Kincaid of Beckley, W.Va.
Q: Who’s your favorite driver or team to follow?
A: The Force team; John Force.
Q: Why do you follow him?
A: He’s more in-tune with these fans. He’s very fan-personable. We ran into him when they were staging earlier, and he’ll talk to anybody.
Q: How long have you been following him and following NHRA?
A: I’ve been following NHRA for probably about 20 years; John Force for probably about the last 10, 12.
Q: What do you think of Ashley [Force], and John relying on his family to build a powerhouse team?
A: It’s neat. And it’s not just family ... the whole team, he knows how to put it together well.
Q: Do you follow other auto racing? Are you into NASCAR, IRL?
A: NASCAR some.
Q: What do you like about NHRA more than you like about NASCAR or IRL?
A: The feel of that car when it goes by; the smell of nitrous in the morning.
Posted by Brian T. Smith 
