First of all, let me just say WOW! What an experience to be at this 4-Wide NHRA visitmyrtlebeach.com Nationals in Concord, NC. The excitement, the rush, and adrenalin that this race produces is beyond ones wildest dreams. I would have to say that this is the NEW NHRA Platform that is going to take the NHRA to new heights. I may even go one step further and say that this event wins my award for being the BEST event on the NHRA Full Throttle Series Tour. It just beat out the BIG GO in Indy for me on Pure Excitement, and I Love going to Indy for their NHRA US National Event. I was a little hesitant at first to attend, but you got to be there to witness and absorb all that is has to offer.
Greg (@NHRAChat), Lynn (PapaNitroSTL) and I flew into Charlotte Airport on Friday 4/15, then all headed out to the track where we met up with a great Friend that got us into the event for all days there which included the sponsor viewing area. We arrived just in time for the start of the Pro Session which includes Pro Stock, Funny Cars and Top Fuel Dragsters. We were hanging out in the Sponsor Viewing area, and as we looked through the glass where the timing system was implemented, who was there looking at us non other then Laura (@LDCRust). We had tweeted her for a while but never met her and it was amazing that she recognized us. This woman is amazing and has a heart of gold. She actually, without ever meeting these (@margiefreedle & @cfreedle) NHRA 1st time comers whom we have been tweeting with, reached out an gave them 2 tickets to Saturdays Event. See folks, this is how the NHRA Family and Twitter Family are such special people. Just extraordinarily good hearted, down top earth people with hearts of Gold.
While walking the Pits on Friday I met up with Courtney Force and introduced myself to her as NitroJohn on twitter. She thanked me for all the ReTweets that I do for her and John Force Racing and that was so cool. I asked her to sign an autograph for a great twitter friend in California that couldn't make the event and without hesitating, she said no problem, and actually signed two for her (@KellyNorCal).
Then there we were waiting for the 1st Quad Top Fuel Cars to run down the track on Round one of qualifying. This took our breaths away as the roared with 32,000 hp down the track. It is and was an amazing site to see, but not just seeing it, actually feeling it. Right from there, I was hooked on 4-Wide NHRA Drag racing. THere has been a lot of mix emotions about 4_Wide, but I feel that the NHRA is making changes and getting this Platform ready for future events on the Full Throttle Series Tour. I think they will possible add the 4-Wide to more tracks as the years go by.
Throughout the day we walked through the pits talking to drivers, crews, and watching qualifying rounds 1 & 2. We just couldn't get enough of watching 4 cars going down the track at the same time. After the event we went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse where we met some friends and enjoyed a great dinner. We then went swimming at our hotel indoor pool where we met up with Steve (@semerson) and his son. We weren't through yet as we continued the party going back to the Roadhouse and meeting up with Laura. We had a few drinks and enjoyed spending time with our new family member.
Saturday we were right back at the track, but it was raining and the weather was in Thunderstorm mode. Thanks to Don Schumacher Racing, we had made camp in Hospitality on Saturday and enjoyed the morning there until the Storm passed. DSR fed us lunch, Fried Chicken, Pork Lion, Potato Salad, Mac & Cheese, green beans, salad, drinks, and brownies. They have a wonderful spread of food at these events and it is so good. The storm was so bad that it actually rained right through the roof of the DSR Tent. Right after the storm, the skies cleared up, they dried the track and qualifying rounds 3 & 4continued throughout the day.
We then met up with Margie, Chris and Joe (@J88Ryan the Quick Lane rep for Bob Tasca III). Joe is one heck of a great guy. He got us all in to the Tasca Camp where we met and talked with Bob Tasca III and also took pictures with us all. Bob treated us like royalty. He took the time out of his busy schedule to talk with some of his #1 fans, and we can't thank him enough. We showed Margie and Chris around the pits as they were like children in a candy store. It was so exciting to bring someone to their first NHRA Event and watch their faces is priceless. Then they started warming up the cars, and they got a taste and smell of the Nitro that we always rave about. One funny incident where they were warming up a car, and they revved the car up, you could see Margie jump 2 feet. We all had a great laugh at that. Then Margie and Chris got to see and hear their First Nitro Cars go down the track. Pictures are posted on the link below. You could see it on their faces that they were hooked. It was a real thrill to watch all this unfold.
One of the Highlights of the day was when Bob Tasca blew the crank right through his engine block, and broke the body of his funny car. The crew worked very diligently to get the car back into racing status, by changing the engine, and getting the old body out. They got it done and back for Q4 just by 2 minuted to spare. IT was an amazing task, and I have to commend the crew for their hard work to get Bob back to the track for Q4. He then ran a 4.14 ET which was the best of that 4 wide cars. Bob almost won on Sunday but was just beat out by Fast Jack Beckman.
Myself, Greg, Lynn, Chris and Margie all went out to dinner Saturday after the event at Sticky Fingers. There they have some great BBQ Ribs, Steaks and Brisket. It was so mouth watering. After that we headed to Dave and Busters to meet up with the TweetUp we had planned. Everyone showed up and even Amalie Top Fuel Driver Terry McMillen, Jim Walczak (Terry's Pr man) and Cori Wickler (Terry's Vice President of Operations). That was so awesome for them to come to our first tweetup. Even though we planned this at the last minute, it ended up a success, and we all had a great evening talking with them all and having Terry sign autographs. They are a Top Notch Team, and that team is up and coming and I know will prove to be one of the top fuel contenders. I have a goal and I hope the others will too, to spread the word about Terry McMillen, and broaden his fan base. We were all so blessed to have Terry, Cori and Jim attend and hang with us for the night. But wait, not over yet! After Dave & Busters, Greg and I met up with Laura at our hotel and walked over to Quaker Steak & Lube to finish out the night. We had a great time with all our new twitter/NHRA fans and we were sad to leave. I hope that we will all get to meet up again at one of the future NHRA events to have more fun and excitement. Congratulations to Del Worsham, Jack Beckman and Greg Anderson for winning the 2nd annual 4-Wide event. I hope to make it back next year and hope more will filling the stands.
Link to Pictures of the weekend at 4-Wide:
http://nitrojohns.shutterfly.com/
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