"What is the problem Joel?" Thinking something is wrong with the car, and we'll have to dig into it, once the gate opens. Joel tells me he can't find his helmet. Now I know I saw it somewhere... so after a couple minutes looking everywhere we could, it hit me, that the helmet was behind the drivers seat of the truck. The truck that was still in Minnesota... It was the one thing that didn't get swapped over when we had to ditch Joel's old Cummins, for his work truck. "well you better get on the phone, and see if someone has one." We both got out our phones, and looked for a motorcycle shop that carried helmets. Almost every single placed closed at 4:00 on Saturday, except one place. Fox Powersports in Grand Rapids Michigan. They were and hour drive away, but Joel told me lets load the car, and head that way. Once the Coupe was in the trailer, I got everything strapped down, and Joel started calling. We pointed the truck and trailer out the gate, and headed to Grand Rapids as fast as we could. It was now 4:15. Not sure how we were going to make the hour drive in 45 minutes pulling a trailer, but it was our only chance. Yet we still were not able to get ahold of Fox Powersports. As Joel put the hammer down, he continued to call. He kept getting sent to voice mail. he left a message, but as the minutes drew closer, and closer to 5:00, we really started to get worried. FINALLY at 4:55pm someone in the apparel department called back. Joel explained to him that he needed a SNELL 2020 helmet, and did they have one? They had a couple to choose from, but Joel knew nothing of the brands. HJC was one of the choices, and I told Joel that is what I have, and like it, but at this time, he just needs a helmet... Then Joel asks what color they have... Thinking in my head, you'll take a MFing PINK one if that's all they have... Black or Blue are the options. Joel says he'll take the Blue one, and could he pay for the helmet on a credit card, and have them leave the helmet outside, and we will pick it up 20 minutes after they close? "Sure" says the guy on the phone. So we give him the CC info, and he tells us everything is good to go. It's now 4:59pm. Whew... We arrive at Fox Powersports, and drive to the right side of the building like instructed. Low and behold there is a guy sitting on his trucks tailgate, holding a helmet bag. He didn't feel comfortable just leaving the helmet outside, so he waited for us. My guess is he wanted to just see the fools that drove all the way from Minnesota to Michigan, for an event that required a helmet, and forgot it at home. Who knows, but the guy was a Saint, and we can't thank him enough for the kind gesture.

So now the question is, do we head back to Stanton, and make it for the rest of the test day, or do we head to Martin, and wait for Tech day for Drag Week? Joel says we have to test the car before Drag Week, so Stanton it is. We pull back to the gate at Stanton around 7:15pm. The lady at the front gate greets us, and says "That'll be $45 dollars for the test night, and one crew. Here's your tech card. Fill it out, and put it in the drop box over by that shed. We don't have a tech inspector because of Covid." Joel pry's the cash out of his wallet, and I think I saw a tear in his eye, as he handed the money to the lady. That money had probably been in there since the late 80's when his wife gave him the wallet for Christmas. We pull in past the gate, and Joel asks where we should park? I tell him as close to the staging lanes as possible as I don't want to be walking 1/2 a mile to get to the starting line to video the car. There are maybe 40 cars at the test session, and Joel pulls near the staging lanes, and then quickly turns away. "Where are you going?" I ask. He said there is a generator there, and I don't want to listen to it all night. so he drives away, and pulls into the nicely mowed grassy area, next to a Turbo powered Saturn. As soon as I get out of the truck to start unloading everything, the Saturn fires up. Now I have a question for the turbo racers on the board. Do Turbo cars need the oil, and water temp to be 210* before they make a run? because the guy next to us was so trying his best to achieve that. Not much more annoying than a 4 cylinder car with a massive turbo, and the straight pipe exiting the driver side front fender, aimed right at our pit spot. I looked at Joel, and said "This is much better than a running generator."

With the Coupe unloaded, Joel fired the car up, and drove it around the pits some, seeing if he could get a starting point on his Doohickey Soft Lok clutch setup. This gave me time to walk around, and get away from the Turbo Saturn noise, and see what was there for Mopars. Not too far from us was a really nice 1969 Dart, so I headed that way. The car was powered by a INDY block low deck 540ci, with EZ heads. Very nice combo, and the car was put together very clean. Great guy to talk to as well.

Joel got busy installing a new battery he had picked up in Grand Rapids on our way to Stanton. Knowing his old battery was going bad, he tried to have one shipped overnight to Stanton. No such luck. Can not ship a Lithium battery by air, ground freight only. luckily a Batteries Plus in Grand Rapids had exactly what he needed. Unlike the Eight 2Bbl carb linkage on the Coupe, the rest of the stuff on the car is simple to work on. It didn't take Joel long to get the battery switched out. He eventually made his way to the staging lanes, and pulled into the burnout box. When he sidestepped the clutch the 392 HEMI sounded OK, but not great. The Coupe got a little sideways, but nothing too bad. Joel staged the car, and when it went up on the 2 step, you could still tell there was a slight miss fire. The car bogged some, but then took off. After 2nd gear, and into 4th, you could hear the motor laying over big time. One advantage of only about 20 cars left on the property, is that it was dead quiet now. I made my way back to the pit area, and waited for Joel to arrive. And waited, and waited... Wondering if something happened? Not sure. Joel had his phone with him, and if the car was broke, he could call me from the top end, but nothing. Finally after about 10 minutes, Joel pulled up and I asked what happened? He assured me that the engine had laid over on the top end, but when he got his time slip, the car wouldn't restart. The battery was going bad. Joel put the battery charger on right away, and then it was decided we should run all the carbs out of fuel, and refill the bowls with new fresh stuff. We also changed out the spark plugs, and then Joel headed to the lanes once again. By this time it was getting late. Around 10:30, and would most likely be the last test pass of the night. The Early HEMI sounded a little better now, and the burnout was straight as Joel 's first attempt was in 2nd gear, and this time was in 3rd gear. The wheel speed helped. Joel staged the car, and as the light went Green Joel dumped the clutch, and the rear of the car bounced quite a bit. Shock adjustment off? Not sure, but it once again laid over on the top end.

It didn't take nearly as long for Joel to get back to our pit spot as before. but once he got out of the car, I could tell he was drained, frustrated, and not sure what to do. "Now what?" I asked. "I don't know.. Lets load up, head to martin, get some sleep, and think it over in the morning." Sounds like a good plan to me. "By the way Joel, we MUST be at the track in Martin Michigan on Monday morning no matter what." I told him...

Jeff, on the wallet thing it was early '80s, not late '80s...

I heard you were tight with a buck Joel!! J/K! Carry on...

Love it! and keep it coming please! Fan from MN

I had been down and out with a virus for the last 2 weeks, which hindered my preparation efforts, so everything was a last minute throw together. I had been in for a covid test a week prior, knowing that if it came in positive, I would have to scratch Drag Week. Thankfully it was negative. By the time we left home, I was at the point where I figured I was out of the woods and not contagious. But I had not yet regained my strength and was exhausted. The tool and supply packing was haphazard at best. With the car unable to make a clean pass at Stanton, and very limited resources as far as tools and parts on hand, the thought of throwing in the towel entered my fatigue fogged mind.

"Why do YOU have to be at the track Monday morning?" was Joel's response. Well leading up to Drag Week, I've been in the process of refinancing my house. It took longer than I thought, but on the Wednesday before we left I got a phone call from the Mortgage company, and they said "Congratulations, your mortgage is ready for closing next week!" Umm next week? I told them I'll be on vacation next week. "No problem, we can meet you at your hotel." Ahhh, I'm not staying in a hotel, as we will have Joel's camper in the truck. I'm also not sure which hotel I'll be at, or what city, during the week. After all, anything can happen on Drag Week. Plans must be fluid. Thinking to my self, where will we be for sure during Drag Week? I know we will be at Martin US 131 Dragway on Monday morning. Can you meet me there? "Sure" was the response. Shaking my head in disbelief, I think well OK, lets do it. What time? Earlier the better. "How does 7:00am sound?" Perfect. That gives me time to take care of the paperwork, then make it to the drivers/crew meeting. So the entire time we are headed to Michigan, at Stanton, and headed to the start of Drag Week, and not even sure we are going to make it, let alone we are now not staying at the track, I'm very worried I won't make this appointment. Joel assures me that we will at least be there, but I still have my doubts at this time.

Joel managed to get us a hotel room for Saturday night near US 131 Dragway, but by the time we arrived it was after midnight. In 2018 at Drag Week we were right at the track on Sunday's Tech day, and it was no problem getting the car to the front of the line, and wiz through tech. This time would be different, as I knew once we arrived at our hotel, Joel wasn't about to get up early in the morning, and make the trip to the track before sunrise. See Joel can't hardly function without 8 hours of sleep. Even if it's 7 hours, and 59 minutes, he's in a foggy daze for hours, possibly the entire day. Mind you he isn't a crabby person in the morning, that's my part... At least Joel thinks that. (I don't like dilly dallying in the morning, or anytime for that matter).

With a decent nights sleep we get up Sunday morning, and get ready for our trip to the track. I ask Joel what his plans are now that he's had time to think about it. "Well, we (we meaning you) are going to the track, and change out the fuel pump, as I have a spare. We will start the event, and just see where it goes. I never know if this could be my last Drag Week, and I'd be upset with myself if we didn't try." My first thought was we are in for a LONG week, but lets roll with it. The potential for a last Drag Week really hit me. I've enjoyed these events over the years that most can't imagine. Spending them with Joel has been even better. It's rarely crossed my mind that we WOULDN"T be going. But as time has taught us, too many people that we have known from these events, have been taken way too early in life, and never take that for granted. I couldn't help think of Mopar Billy, when I last saw him in 2018, and he was talking about how 2017 might be his last. When I asked him why the change of heart, he told my, he didn't want to pass up the opportunity to make memories with his family, and friends. Little would we know, Billy would be gone shortly after. He is deeply missed, and the reason Joel and I will try and continue his passion, and honor him by writing these stories.

As we roll into the gate of US131, the end of the tech line is already at the front gate. It stretches all the way to the base of the tower 3/4 of a mile away. We park the truck and trailer, and roll the Coupe out. I start removing the Race fuel pump from the car, and Joel locates the replacement. As I pull the pump off, and start switching out the fittings onto the new pump, it becomes obvious there is a problem. The fitting going into the pump had ben screwed in too tight, and was pushing on the inlet screen, which then tore up the pump some. We ran out of pipe thread tape, and I was able to get some from a fellow Mopar racer. He was racing his 1969 Charger R/T that was painted up like the General Lee. Those guys had everything to completely rebuild the car it looked like. Got the new fittings installed in the pump, and the pump back in the car in no time. Just had a couple wires to reconnect, and we were about ready. Joel was wandering around in the trailer trying to sort through things we would need Monday morning. You only get a half hour AFTER the Driver/crew meeting, and then all the stuff you need for the week must be by the race car, and the truck and trailer, in the impound area. It was important that this stuff be ready to go first thing in the morning.

Joel fires the car up, and we drive to the end of the tech line, still out by the front gate, about 1/3 of a mile from the truck and trailer. We do a small meet and greet, as there are a few familiar faces next to us.Two cars up is Jay Grabiak, and his '55 Chevy Gasser, and his two kids. Earlier in the year at Midwest Drags, Jay won the give away car, a beautiful 1966 Nova built by Havlik's HotRods. It was nice talking to him, and seeing what he was doing with the Nova, to make it his. About that time, we noticed a fuel leak in one of the carbs on the Coupe. With all the tools back at the trailer, Jay let us use some of his. We also adjusted fuel pressure as the new pump was higher than the one it replaced. A good sign. As the day went on, we slowly crept forward. I'm pretty sure I walked at least 5 miles before we got to the half way point. I had wandered off a little, when I get a phone call from Joel. "My brake light switch isn't working... Can you go to the trailer, get my electrical bag, and ohm meter?" Sure. More walking... It was determined that the switch had failed, but if Joel monkeyed with the power, and lights, he could fudge his way through tech, and we could find a parts stor on Monday, and fix it. It was closing in on 2:00, and I thought we better get some thing to eat. I asked Joel what he wanted, and he requested a menu. Sorry, not going to happen. They have track food. "Could you bring me back a basket of shrimp, and a Seltzer water?" I just shook my head, did a 180* turn, and made my way to the concession line, which was on the other side of the track, at least 1/4 mile away. The line was quite long , maybe 30 people? By the looks of things, they were running out of food. Once I got to the counter, I just simply asked for 2 hamburgers, and 2 bottles of water, a Gatorade, and a diet 7up for Joel. Close enough to his foo foo water he wanted. I made my way back to Joel, and he had not moved much since I last saw him. I handed him the burger, and said here, just like your Moms option for food while growing up. 'Take it, or leave it'. Joel just laughed, and asked if I put ketchup on it?

As we got closer to the front of the line, I was able to talk with the Gebhart family some. Amazing, they had made it through tech about an hour before us. Dale was there with Little Billy, in the Ruster, and Boon was there with Mopar Billy's daughter Rachel, in Billy's old Valiant. As always it was great talking with them, and catching up. Dale is always smiling, and joking around. Boon, has a memory just like Billy's. He can remember stuff about Drag Weeks past, that it blows me away, he can remember that stuff. Rachel was doing well, and you could tell she was just happy to be there after missing the event since 2017.

As we closed in on our turn at tech, Joel was greeted with a familiar face, Keith Turk. Keith was checking tires for class, with a Go/ No Go gauge. Joel tells him, "those are the same tires I ran at Atlanta, and they were OK." Keith gives him grief by saying "Yeah they were almost illegal then too". (They weren't). We kept inching closer to the front, and it came time for the Drag Week inspection of the car. They check to make sure your insurance card matches the VIN, and stuff like lights, horn blinkers, brake lights... The closer you get to the front of tech, the more people you have standing around, Whether it be participants that have completed tech, or spectators that have just come to the track to see what type of whack jobs are going to drive their race cars 1000+ miles, for one week. This is where Joel really shines, and loves, as it's entertaining to watch people walk by the Coupe, do a double take, and just have a dumbfounded look on their face when they see the 8 Holley 94's on top of the Big old 392 HEMI. Joel loves telling the history of the intake manifold, sign autographs, and just bond with his fans. (OK so that last part is made up). "Sir is this your car?" a guy asks me. "No it's the guy holding court over there." The guy gets Joel's attention, and asks him to get into the Coupe and go through the motions of lights, blinkers, horn, and then brake lights. I'm standing behind the car, and next thing I know, Joel is closing both doors on the Coupe. "Brakes". Tail lights come on. "OK, your good..." Not sure exactly what Joel did, but thankfully we didn't have to go through tech again. LOL.

Up next was the NHRA tech inspection. Joel hands over his credentials, shows the guy his Snowmobile suit, shoes, gloves, Nice new helmet, and a neck collar that I had to track down, since Joel has a NeckGen (HANS) device, and it could not be used because the anchor points were on his old helmet back home. "sir, we have some concerns over your roll cage." WHAT??? Now the roll cage in the Coupe is a piece of art work. Gizmo Race cars in Minnesota did an amazing job on it. Joel did not want any bars from the cage going outside the body of the car. To do so Gizmo talked with NHRA about how to do it, and with NHRA's OK, some bars were added, and Joel had the paperwork with him from NHRA, saying it was legal. That was good enough for the inspector, and with a sigh of relief we were on to the next step, of getting our numbers.

At this time David Frieburger walks up and says hello to Joel, and starts drooling over the Coupe. David and Joel have known each other since the early years of Drag Week, when the event was really small. Back then there was time for Racers and their Trunk Monkey's to hang out with the HOT ROD crew. The two talked a little about Land Speed Racing, and Joel's new adventure.

We then moved out of line, and applied the DRAG WEEK logo on the car. As it was now getting to be late, and only a hour until the sun set, we decided to pack up, and head to the hotel for a good nights sleep. After all I HAD to be back at the track at 7:00am to sign paperwork... I didn't sleep one single minute that night.

Way diggin this Jeff!!!

The brake light switch was from a 93 dodge pickup. It had 3 pairs of wires. I found that the pair I was using had ceased to function. So I wired up to another pair. It turns out that they worked, but in reverse. So releasing the brake lit the lights, stepping on it shut them off. Good enuff! I entered tech with the main switch off. The main switch is on the drivers side floor so I can reach it from the drivers seat, with a remote control out the back. When they wanted to start the light and horn check, I put my foot on the brake and turned on the main power switch, and ran thru all the functions. When he asked for the brake lights, I just let my foot off the brake.

Reminds me of when Larson switched to twins in his Nova and his horn didnt work. Front clip was off of the car and when they guy said "Horn" someone touched the hot wire to the horn.LOL

Jeff/Joel,

Thanks for sharing! ! I always looked forward to reading Billy’s Drag Week story. He would be proud and I’m certain he’s reading this and smiling down on all of us. Great job, and again….THANK YOU for sharing the experience for those who could not attend.

The first NHRA inspector looked at the NHRA sticker on the cage and questioned its authenticity. It was clear he didn't like the car and he didn't like the cage.

I'm thinking "how can this be?" it has flown through everywhere it has been? That is when I pulled out the paperwork from the NHRA inspector who applied the sticker and urged the guy to phone him. He wouldn't call. After he gave me the 3rd degree on the cage, he walked away and I thought I was done. But then he came back with another inspector and showed it to him, fully expecting the second guy to denounce it. Now thoughts of being booted from the event before I even started where rolling around in my head, and what next? What's with this bonehead trying to trip up my dragweek? But the 2nd guy took a quick look in the cab, then in the trunk, and said. "it's fine." Then the 1st guy tried to convince him. But he stood his ground and eventually the first guy gave up. I think the fact that the car looks like a rat rod set off an alarm in his head that he couldn't overcome. The car looks like an old school jalopy from a distance, but it really is well built under the ugly duckling skin. That's the way I planned it, to create somewhat of a sleeper effect.

My first halfway fast street rod was a 1933 Ford 4.0 inch chop and 3.0 channeled pick up with a stock 1955 Chrysler New Yorker 331 C.I. Firepower Hemi motor in it with a 1939 ford drive train. I ended up finding a stock cast iron dual four intake and put a mismatch set of early AFB carbs on it in 1965 I had my father in law make me a set 1 7/8 primary tube with 3.0 inch collectors headers, that car might have ran mid to low 13 on a set of Casler 8.20x15 recap slicks mounted on a set of 7x15 inch Mag Halibrand mag wheels, it was a real tire spinner that I had to learn to drive in a real nose heavy stick shift car, it weigh right at 3000 Lbs. with me in it. I would rev it up to around 2500 RPM and let the clutch out and wait until it grabbed and the get after it
I had a lot of fun with that old heap, lots of fun whupping up on fuelies Corvettes and some half fast street bikes
I took it apart when I got drafted and never put it back together, I should have put a 392 in it like yours but I didn't
I ended up buying a 1963 Plymouth Belvedere 2 door sedan original 415 HP Max Wedge car in 1971 and never went back to the street rods

When we got back to our hotel on Sunday night, Joel instantly fell asleep when his head hit the pillow. Not sure how that happened, as he didn't walk 22 1/2 miles that day. I was absolutely exhausted, but yet could not get to sleep. The thought of missing my appointment was all I could think of. As the minutes slowly went by, you keep thinking to yourself, if I could just fall asleep now, I can get 5 hours of sleep... 4 hours of sleep... 3 hours of sleep.... At that point, I would have been happy to get a half hour. So I got up about 20 minutes before the alarm was set to go off, and took my shower, and got ready for the day. The instant the alarm went off, I woke Joel up. "Lets go, I'm not missing my appointment". Joel, with only 7 hours of sleep was not moving with Cat like reflexes, or speed, but he was at least moving. While he was getting ready, I walked down to the lobby area of the hotel, and got Joel a morning coffee, to speed him up some. By the time I got back he was almost ready to roll, but again at least moving. We left the hotel a little after 6:00am. It was a short 15 minute drive to the track.

As we pull up to the gate, I tell Joel, just let me out here, as this was my meeting point. Joel kept on driving through the gate... We made it all the way to the tower 3/4 of a mile away, and then go over to the pit side, towards the back of the staging lanes, and Joel parks the truck. He then tells me "We have work to do". my response back was "No YOU have work to do, I have to now walk all the way back to the front gate, and hope I make it there in time. So I grabbed my needed paperwork, and started walking. I must add that at 6:30am in Martin Michigan, it is absolutely PITCH BLACK out. The track lights were not on, and there was a cloud cover that morning, as there was a chance for rain early on. I kept on walking, and as I made my way to the gate, cars were coming in fairly steady. I kept checking my phone 6:45... kept walking 6:50. By 6:53 I could actually see the front gate. Cars were still coming though at a steady pace, as no one was at the gate to check cars in. Just as I walked through the front gate at 6:55, a lady had closed things off at the gate, and started to check people coming through. I stood next to the building for 2 minutes, when I see a Tan minivan pull up, and knew that was the lady I was to sign paperwork with. I had here pull over to the side parking lot. She got out, and asked where we could sign everything? "I have no clue, the building is locked" "We can sign them in my van then. As we are going through the paperwork, the lady asks me what we are doing at race track on a Monday morning? I briefly explain Drag Week to her, and her reply was "You guys are crazy". By this time it starts raining out, and I'm thinking great I have to now walk back in this...More paperwork... Cars keep rolling in, and then the lady says "Some of those cars are really loud, can't they quiet them down for the street?" "Those are quieted down for the street" LOL. I'm thinking this lady wouldn't be very happy if she was staying at a hotel with a bunch of Drag Weekers, and the early morning rumble of race cars out her window. But overall she was very nice, and we finished everything. The lady say, well I'd give you a ride back to where you need to go, but I can't get in the gate without paying. "No problem, I guarantee I will know someone coming in that can give me a ride. So I grab my 2" thick stack of paperwork, and start walking back into the track. Completely relieved that everything went well, I was in a much better mood. Now to see what kind of mess I have to straighten out when I get back to Joel. As I walk by the ticket booth, the lady running it asks me for a favor. "Can you move those cones, and let in people with wrist bands?" "Sure, if you can find me a ride back to the pits." "Deal." So I moved the cones, and then started walking the line, telling people with wrist bands they could go through. A mad rush went into the track, and right past me. Thinking I gotta get moving, I start that way as well. I made it about 150 feet past the ticket booth, when the lady yells out "Still need a ride? Got one right here!" so I hurry back, and a newer Shelby Mustang pulls up. I open the door, and hear "Sure I'll give my buddy Jeff a ride!" I look in, and it's Brad Dryer, a past Modified NA class winner. I've gotten to know Brad some over the years, as he was Jay Brown's main competition in Modified NA for years. Brad had a killer Nova, that puts on quite a show with it's big wheel stands. "What are you doing up here Jeff?" "Refinancing my house." with a shocked look, Brad says "Well that has to be a Drag Week first". "where do you need to go?" Just get me close to the tower, and I'll be good. "No, where do you need to go?" Brad wasn't in much of a rush, as his Nova is in Chassis shop prison, and the Mustang was just a Plan B car. One minor set back, Officials would not let him run. He had forgotten about the Drag Tire only rule, so since everything was paid for, he was just going to enjoy himself, and drive along. He dropped me off right at the Coupe, where Joel had things from the trailer scattered all over the ground. They were now calling everybody to the stands, as the drivers meeting was starting in 10 minutes. "Joel. go get the Coupe into the staging lanes now, and then take the truck and trailer to the impound area." "Good idea!" So while Joel took care of those couple things, I sorted through our stuff, and got it ready to make the transition from race to Street as smooth as possible when the time came.

I have no clue if Joel made it back for the drivers meeting or not. Didn't really matter, as he's been through many of them, and not much changes. If it had, I'd let him know. Almost as soon as the meeting started, the PA system went out, and they wanted us to heard together like sheep on one end of the bleachers, so Keith Turk could yell out to us. No thanks, I'll stay to myself over here. Joel wouldn't have heard it any ways, as he couldn't hear a dump truck driving through a nitroglycerin plant. End of the drivers meeting. luckily we were pitted just behind the bleachers from the meeting, and I met up with Joel. Told him to get ready as the track would go hot soon. He was maybe 30 cars back? Up ahead we could see Clark Lamb, and his familiar Blue 68 Barracuda. Up front like always.

Cars started going down track quickly, and I believe Clark ran 10.50 something in his Barracuda like always. Car always leaves nice, with the wheels in the air. My guess was they would take it, and hit the road. While Joel was getting ready in the Coupe he starts to tell me how the adjustment works in the Whatchamacallit Soft Lok. I plug my ear and start saying "Lalalalalalalalala Don't want to hear it. That's your baby". The anticipation is killing me as we get closer to the burnout box. Will the new fuel pump work? Will the car bog? Will it lay over on the top end? If it's bad it can make for a long day. I'm hoping it's a good pass, and we can hit the road, as you never know what the street drive will throw at you.

Joel pulls the Coupe into the burnout box. It sounds good. Kinda normal. He revs the motor up, dumps the clutch, and the car does a nice burnout. Good so far. Joel stages the car, and the lights start coming down. Reaction time isn't a concern on Drag Week, so Joel is still bringing the old HEMI up on the 2 step when the light turns green. He dumps the clutch, and the front tires lift off the track, and the nicest wheels up launch I've ever seen out of the car happens. Joel rips through the gears like Ronnie Sox, and it's obvious the face plating of the T56 Magnum has paid off. As always a healthy HEMI always sounds good uncorked, and at wide open throttle. Joel crosses the finish line, and the scoreboard lights up with a 10:15 @ 133mph! Joel's fastest pass ever, in competition at Drag Week! I can't wipe the smile off my face, and hoping Joel will be OK with that. I get back to the pit area before Joel, and shortly after he arrives. Joel has a big sh!t eating grin on his face, and with a sigh of relief, he gets out and gives me a high 5. "Are we good?" I asked. "Yup, I'm going to turn in the time slip, and we are out of here!" Perfect. Joel makes his way to the Tower, and I start changing the car over from Race to Street.

The change over for me consists of the following: Add air in the rear tires, Remove the header collectors, Cap the Headers, remove the V band clamps and plugs on the side of the header collectors, Slide the exhaust under the car, Hook up the rear tailpipes up to the rubber hangers under the car. Start the 2 attachment bolts under the car for the exhaust pipes, V band clamp the front of the exhaust to the header collectors, Tighten up the two attachment bolts. Install the passenger seat with one rear pin, and 2 Dzus fasteners in the bottom. install the 8 individual air cleaners. Start packing everything in the trunk. When Joel gets back from turning in his slip, his job is to install rubber pucks in the rear springs. First time for the change over? About 30 minutes.

With everything taken care of Joel looks at me "Well.. Saddle up partner!"

Pulling out of the gate is always the biggest "What's next" feeling. We make our way out the gate, and the drive down to our predetermined route.

"I can't believe we're really doing it!"... Yes. Every single time...

Great pass by Joel!

That is so awesome.....All the things you guys had to overcome, just to show up, and then all the car stuff, and still make a best ever hit and and go on down the road....That is so totally awesome.

I thought you were done when you showed us the crap in the fuel system....That is a lot of work to over come right there.

As Clark and I were coming in the gate at US 131 it is very dark and we see this guy walking towards the front gate.

I say to Clark, "Is that Jeff".

I knew there would be a story to follow!

Thanks for doing this story, Jeff!

an amazing story so far ! keep up the good work !