NHRA at Englishtown (Lots of Pix!)

[moose135]

Went to the NHRA SuperNationals at Englishtown last Friday. I've been there a number of times in the past, but never for Friday qualifying, when they run one round of Pro class qualifying after dark. The weekend was marred by the loss of Scott Kalitta during Saturday's qualifying rounds.

Looks like this Challenger inhaled a Chevy on the way to the starting line :wink:
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317437475_rjgDJ-M.jpg

Top Fuel Dragster driver Cory McClenathan signs an autograph for a young fan.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317439113_PVRHX-M.jpg

Funny Car driver Melanie Troxel poses for a press photographer before qualifying.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317441587_CFESR-M.jpg

You get up close and personal with the cars in the pits at an NHRA event!
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317442396_4nMk7-M.jpg

Ashley Force greeting fans in the pits.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317444753_VzRpF-M.jpg

In the various Mod and Sportsman classes, you see an interesting mix of cars. Here we see another example of Mopar's dominance over the GM crowd :)
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317445741_sgy78-M.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317447277_7wcMb-M.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317730127_RYheK-M.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317449570_yVxb9-M.jpg

Now it's time for the Pro classes, starting with Pro Stock.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317450653_Hdabh-M.jpg

KB Racing teammates Greg Anderson (bottom) and Jason Line run head to head during Pro Stock qualifying. Anderson went on to win the Pro Stock division in Sunday's eliminations.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317450843_VQcB7-M.jpg

Here's Melanie Troxel again, this time at speed.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317451031_yP3yW-M.jpg

Everybody knows John Force!
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317725273_f4ywT-M.jpg

Tony Schumacher, in the Army sponsored Top Fuel Dragster. Schumacher won the TFD division on Sunday.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317727405_nDs3F-M.jpg

When the sun goes down, you can really see the nitromethane flames from the Funny Car and Top Fuel Dragsters.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/318015812_TMZn8-M.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/318016641_arWR2-M.jpg

Scott Kalitta...RIP
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/317451341_zvoE9-M.jpg

[lijk604]

Great stuff Moose...I just love the tire distortion on Tony Schu's ride.

[PhilDernerJr]

I love how they put the headlight decals on race cars. :)

Great shots, Moose!

[mirrodie]

wicked shots John!

[Derf]

It just looks wrong if you take off the decals for the headlights and the grill... One day somone will turn the body into a cartoon face....then you will be able to loose the car look and really have a funny car. One day....... I say 3 years from now

Moose, Your shots are awesome. In all of your sets that you post, there is something in every shot that is interesting and draws your attention to a paticular shot. I never noticed the wave behind the road in the rear tire... I looked and figured it out on why it does that, but it did take me a while on why the bowing is aft of the rim. Would love to see some more.... Ill check your website for more!