The NMCA manufacturer's midway...
The NMCA manufacturer's midway at Bowling Green was a great place to get knowledgeable tech advice from the folks at Holley-which is exactly what Shawn Zubler (Newtown, Pennsylvania; left) is getting from Holley/NOS sales rep Kyle Smith. Kyle is explaining the benefit of NOS's new "Launcher" nitrous management system, which Shawn plans to use for a new radial-tire class car he's building. Shawn likes the Launcher's progressive control-perfect for the traction-limited class he's planning for, plus the data-logging feature he needs for proper fuel control and fine-tuning traction. The Launcher starts around $400 for a laptop-based system, but a handheld controller version is available for around $600, and a full-blown LCD touchscreen version for $800.
For all its nail-biting race action, the NMCA offers the fan and racer plenty of non-race activity to fill out the Bowling Green experience. We always enjoy cruising through the manufacturer's midway, which is chock-a-block full of speed wares, apparel, savvy tech advice, tools, and good eats. Another destination the young and old will appreciate is the wide variety of cars in the NMCA Car Show field. It's not uncommon for fans to enter the car show, watch the race in covered comfort, and return to their ride to find a shiny plaque awaiting them on their way out.
For 2008, the NMCA turns 20 years old, and the Seventh Annual NOS Hot Rod and Muscle Car Nationals (held at Bowling Green May 2-4) was the second stop on the 20th Anniversary Tour. (The first event was the 6th Annual Ross Pistons Muscle Car Nationals in Bradenton, Florida, on March 28-30.) From there, the NMCA makes stops at Atco, New Jersey (1st Annual Kooks Custom Headers Muscle Car Nationals, June 6-8); Joliet, Illinois (the Motive Gear Super Bowl of Street Legal Drag Racing, July 17-20); Milan, Michigan (2nd Annual NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, August 22-24); Commerce, Georgia (7th Annual Nitto Tire Muscle Car Nationals, September 19-21); and Memphis, Tennessee (7th Annual Nitto World Finals, October 9-12). Look for the PHR staff to cover the events in Atco, New Jersey; Joliet, Illinois; and Memphis, Tennessee! See you at the races.
 "I didn't play sports as a...  "I didn't play sports as a kid," says Andrew Licktieg of Louisville, Kentucky, "I restored my Galaxie." The 21-year-old electrician (Local 369) says he did all the work himself, starting when he was 12. Andrew's '66 Ford Galaxie 500XL won the Ford Muscle Classic category, and has a .040-over 390 FE with stock heads, 10.5:1 compression, a Holley 650, and a four-speed Top Loader with a Centerforce clutch. The big Ford is just for cruising and shows, but Andrew also loves to watch the NMCA's drag action. |  "It's a neat class, it really...  "It's a neat class, it really is," says Judson Massingill of NMCA's COMP Cams Pro Stock class. Judson is head master of Houston's School Of Automotive Machinists, which runs this '95 Cobra Mustang. The fast Ford features a 399-inch Windsor with 16.2:1 compression, Edelbrock Victor "Glidden" heads, Super Victor intake, Holley 1050 HP carb, and, what else, a COMP solid roller cam with 283/298-at-.050 duration and .940/.880 lift. The NMCA's top naturally aspirated class puts a 2,950-pound minimum weight on SAM's Mustang, which had run a best of 8.77/155 prior to Bowling Green. SAM driver Justin Curry piloted the Ford to the semifinal round, where he ran a new best (8.70/155.6) against Andy Schmidt's faster '85 Mustang. |  |