Being able to attend the first NHRA National Event of the year has always been an ultimate experience for me. The weather is cooler with the snow capped mountains hanging in the back drop of the Auto Club Raceway. After a 3 month Hiatus from drag racing, the fans and teams are eager to get back to the sites and sounds of the track.
I arrived at the Auto Club Raceway on Friday, which was the second day of the event, and clouds have formed threatening rain. Throughout the day it lightly rained or there was just enough moisture in the air to halt any racing or qualifying. That didn't stop my friend and I from enjoying the day to it's fullest. One of the reasons for attending the first event of the year is that you get to see the new cars, new paint schemes, and new racing attire that the teams are sporting. Fans are in front of their favorite driver waiting anxiously for the next autograph signing session, and others fill the Nitro Mall for Merchandise of teams and drivers they love. Also on the Midway are a lot of food concessions that have plenty to offer. I always said it's like going to State Fair when ever I attend the Winternationals because it actually is the same place of the Los Angeles County Fair. While strolling through the pit area, because as you know every ticket is a pit pass, you'll hear the nitro cars start up to warm up. Fans rush to the loud sounds, and then you'll see them backing up with tears when the Nitro meets their eyes. It's like walking into an onion factory, only more intense, but it is a odor we longed to smell after the long winter off.
As the rain continued, Frank and I kept dry in Hospitality. We were determined to stick it out until the official word that the event was cancelled. During Friday we were fortunate to be invited by Rob at Castrol and John Force Racing to attend a special Meet & Greet with the Drivers of JFR. We were escorted by Lori Ann from Castrol into John Force Racing Camp to an area behind the scenes, to meet John Force, Mike Neff and Robert Hight. Each Driver came over one by one to meet us, talk with us, sign autographs and take pictures with us. It was such a wonderful experience I'll never forget. They treated us like royalty. After the Meet and Greet, Lori told us to get the pictures developed into 8 x 10's and bring them back, and she would have John Force sign the pictures. When we arrive Sunday for eliminations, we gave them to Lori, and she had John Force sign each picture. That was so awesome. The event was then cancelled at 4:00 pm. No qualifying runs were ever run.
Sunday we were back at the track ready for fun filled day of eliminations, and it was a picture perfect day. Fans filled the pits and stands area as the first race eliminations began. While you're in the pits and you hear the roar of the first Top Fuel Dragster perform its burnout, you see fans rushing to get their seats. You see, it's not just seeing the event that is so exciting, it is a feeling. When you feel the thrust of 8,000 horsepower running down the track, the whole ground shakes, vibrating every inch of your body. Ear plugs are also a must. I encourage everyone who has not been to an event, to get out and experience it for themselves. I can relate it to going to the Grand Canyon. You can see it in pictures, but you cannot feel the beauty until you experience it in person. It is so breath taking, that it leaves you wanting more.
At the end of the day, the winners prevailed. In Top Fuel it came down to the teammates Shawn Langdon and Morgan Lucas racing each other in the Finals. Morgan Lucas won the event with a 3.835 ET over Langdon's 4.047. In Funny Car it was a classic John Force Racing versus Don Schumacher Racing. Robert Hight took out Matt Hagan on a hole shot with a 4.056 ET to Matt Hagan's faster 4.023 ET. A hole shot boils down to the reaction time when leaving the start line. Pro Stock finals were Jason Line and Greg Stanfield. Jason took the green light with a 6.529 ET to Greg's 6.595 ET. Other winners were Top Alcohol Fuel Dragster- Duane Shields, and Top Alcohol Funny Car - Tony Bartone. The first race went into the books, and it was such an exciting race to attend.
Here is a link to photo's of the 2011 Winternationals:
http://nitrojohns.shutterfly.com/#
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