Good plan as it's a few years before she can step up.
I have mad respect for anyone that can race for points,local or not.

Sounds fine, but if the focus is on the points races, NHRA points meets don't include bracket classes. Fuel Harleys, snowmobiles, motorcycles, but usually no brackets. The tracks will sometimes run a bracket race in conjunction with the race or maybe some index classes. But typically it's three .90 classes, Stock, Super Stock, Top Sportsman & Top Dragster, Comp, etc.

Let her run the Jr. deal. When the time comes, you guys will either be all in and have an idea of where to go with it, or you'll be ready to go do something else. It will be a fun experience.

It looks like I need to learn more about the NHRA class racing. I admit I don't know much beyond Jr racing and street cars. The 65 is my first race build so I am learning as much as I can along the way. I think I have a good foundation for a competitive door car. Is all the class racing in the big cars index/heads up?

Thanks man...we do a lot of racing between April and October. 20 some odd at Numidia alone, then racing Etown (no longer an option) or other tracks when not points racing at Numidia. Add divisional and Bristol and we make 200-300 passes a year. If it ain't raining we are racing somewhere..guaranteed. She was bit by the bug hard...but then again she's my daughter so that apple didn't fall far from the tree..lol. She grew up in the back seat of my Hemi car so there is that too....'Do another burnout dad".....lol

The assorted classes are run differently as far as index, dial-in, headsup, full or pro tree, etc. ATCO is running a National Open the first weekend of May. I don't know if they will run Juniors, but they will have all of the normal big car classes. That may be a good place to go and get a feel for what all of the classes consist of. Get a copy of the NHRA rulebook. That's the best source for the nuts and bolts of the different classes.

Hope to catch up with some of you on the road. We will be at the Virginia race in April to get our feet wet...hope to get the motor broken in by then..lol.

Best of luck to you both! Very big of you to give up your seat!

I use to run my NHRA A/SA 1963 415 HP M.W. Belvedere stocker in all of the division 7 national and divisional races back a long time ago (1973 to 1988) , I later switch to Super Gas and Super Street.
My point is there is a lot of driving involve getting to and from those races and lot of sitting and waiting and not much racing at those races
Normal schedule for the division races was test and tune on either Thursday or Friday, depending if it was a three day or two day race and two to three runs max during qualifying and first round either late on the first day or early on the second day along with finishing the race on the last or second day if a two day race
I did it do to wanting to win those races, I haven't done it since 1989 or so
I still have a race car, S/P, and run the local stuff, I have went to three or four division six bracket finals here in division six, best I've done is went to the 1/4 final in the race of champions and 1/4 finals on the bracket race on Sunday in Pro with my old pump gas street car
I celebrated my 73rd birthday last month and wonder sometimes what I'm doing still racing
I guess I could start going to the bars and catch women, or take up golfing, huh

I went class racing on a divisional level because I was getting burned out having to be there for every local points race, getting hot-lapped and driving home late at night or early morning. Of course it doesn't help that I'm getting older. But I do miss all of the great people I met over the years locally and I do try to go back once in a while.

I did well locally, but I decided to take on the challenge of IHRA Stock class racing in 1999 and did well there too. Now I'll be trying NHRA Stock, mainly on a divisional level. Not as hectic, but the down side is the added expense and more days to take off from work. But I'd suggest trying it to get the "feel" of it and go from there.

As for Cab.....I always said that drag racing helps keep you younger. Staying active physically and mentally has to be good for you. I hope I'm still able to race competitively, physically, mentally & financially, at 73.

Thanks brother, we will give it hell...besides, she's better at the tree then I would ever be...that little girl can cut a light.

Happy birthday cab!...and don't go chasing women...way too much trouble..I thought you would have learned that by now...besides racing is way cheaper...

One reason I suggested or mentioned a dragster. Seems like the natural transition from a junior and you could jump right into Super Comp at the divisional level and of course it could be used for bracket racing etc. Something like we have and did with my son. He never ran juniors, he was a baseball player no time for anything else. When he finally decided to try drag racing he wanted a dragster. So I acquired one a couple years ago. We started him out with a mild pump gas 446 with a set of Indy heads, it went 8.teens in Vegas and he was off. Could have run S/C with that set up and been in the low 150's. The last engine in the car would go mid 170's at 8.90. He is going to spend some time concentrating on the bodyshop for a couple years to get it where it needs to be and we will get him racing again then. Thus why we are going to sell the car.

.90 stuff is extremely competitive place to race. Will also challenge the crew chief as you have to be able to put the car on a number, every pass. You will learn to become a Jr Meteorologist to make that happen. IMO there is not a more difficult place to race and win then in those classes. A lot of strategy, close racing and IMO fun to be had there. It is a big commitment to run on a divisional level from a time and money stand point, Although I believe here in D1 you guys race on Friday and Saturday. Wherer as out west we run Fri-Sun with a test and tune on Thursday. Generally I would show up Wednesday evening and be there til Sunday late hopefully. I was fortunate enough to have a fair amount of success at that level. I will be back out there the end of this year now that we will be done with the military and being on both coasts.

Whatever you all decide to do best of luck. You will meet some great people and the level of competition will go up for sure. We had some friends from Vegas run the Bristol JR event last year. Was impressive to see all those cars there for sure..

If you are building a 65, and want some change of track, why not hit some nostalgia super stock races? I have seen several older NHRA stock legal cars run with the group from time to time. If you are still building the car, not hard to fit into the rules. And you can still bracket race the car at any track. Usually 30 to 40 cars, $1,000 to $1,500 to win. And some really friendly people.

I would have spent the coin on a dragster for her but for the 65 Plymouth. I had purchased that before she got into Jr. racing with the intent of getting into racing myself. When she started out in juniors I put it on the back shelf to take her racing...little did I know I created a monster...lol. I am a little apprehensive about putting a 16 or 17 yo into a car that goes 170 in the 1/4 right off the bat though...I believe a more methodical approach in working towards that goal. A friend of mine has offered a ride in a dragster (7.90) that he is not running now, but I would have to cover the expenses and I don't want to be on the hook for it if she balls it up.

I have thought long and hard about where all this leads to...her dream is to do this on a professional level, but her mom and I want her to do college and she is working to that end...racing can come again later. With the college thing in mind, we will have to do much of the prep work during the season which will also make local points chasing a challenge this year. So I'm sold on the whole division racing thing, it makes a lot of sense for her, her future and allow for something new. Both she and I are excited at the potential and the possibilities...and who knows, maybe a wally or two...

As far as the Bristol thing, it's become a circus. Last year was our last time for jrs there. The sportsmanship has declined with constant staging wars and everybody trying to burn everyone else down on the line...not to mention the out of control kids...fights, drinking and such. We go to race, not to party. By the time the big race is on everyone is burned out.. not good...

If you are wanting to offer her advice on college look at a marketing degree for both racing and working
Or a trade school on automotive technology
Good luck either way

Oh, I hear you there, that's part of the reason I chose to do a 65 B Body...my first love is Super Stock...then life got in the way...lol

She announced the other night at dinner she has chosen her first choice for college...the Naval Academy. Of course the Marine in me couldn't have been more happy, her mom took some convincing though....

I hear you. Why I started my kid slow in a dragster. Was actually the engine for my 68 D100 that was in it. Just a pump gas 446. Started him slow like 9.0's with that engine and eventually got to the 8 teens. Did the same with the big engine. Started him at the 7.80's and worked down from there. He now has the bug and wants to go faster but business before play and we both understand that. My son has driven a few door cars too, from mid 10 to a low 9 second turbo street car. I have made him do it slowly as well. My point is going racing in a dragster can be WAY more economical than you think.

I hear you on the Bristol junior thing. Parent have a way of ruining things. I ran a Little League for a few years and saw it first hand. Many of the parents I see in the junior ranks remind me very much of some little league parents for sure. Glad she has her priorities in place. School first. My son wanted to in the Auto business so I steered him to the body business. He went to a Community College program to learn the basics. Has had a couple jobs in the industry and this winter will be buying the business he works at currently. He has been running that show for a couple years now and is ready to make the next step. Then he can worry about racing again. First things first.

I had a friend in grade school who older brother was accepted and graduated form Annapolis (SP?)
One of my best friends step daughter was recruited and accepted into West Point, she is a Lt Colonel now in a aviation Brigade, three combat tours so far
Time to win and wrap up this dang war on terror now
On your 1965 Plymouth, take a look at Super Street
5 tenth Pro Tree on a 10.90 index with electroincs

Yup agree 100 percent. I told her the other night, as she was searching for direction, to cast her net wide and let life and experience pull the fish in...she was upset that she didn't know what she wanted to do...I told her it doesn't matter at this point. Her talents and interests will take care of that. 30 years ago they didn't even have the job that I am doing now and I love it. Somethings you just need to leave it to life to expose opportunity ...