New generation Stockers: One of the biggest stories emanating from the sportsman pits at this year’s Mac Tools U.S. Nationals has been the heated battle between the Ford Cobra Jet and Dodge Challenger “package cars” in Stock Eliminator. The late model Fords and Dodges performed exceptionally well in qualifying, taking seven of the top 40 spots during qualifying for the 128-car field (although two of the Fords were subsequently disqualified from the event after a technical infraction was found during routine tear-down inspection.) In all, there were five Cobra Jet Mustangs and four Challengers racing in the top Stock classes including the Dodge of “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who unfortunately did not make the field.
 

Body in white: Fans who cruised through the pit area at O’Reilly Raceway Park also got a chance to catch a glimpse of the Dodge Challenger package car in its raw form as the Teuton Family had their brand new “body in white” Challenger on display in front of their massive 18-wheel tow rig. As delivered, the new Dodge is surprisingly complete with the engine already installed and all non-essential equipment such as the radio, heater, and sound deadener already deleted. The engine choices include the popular 6.1 and 5.7 liter versions of the late model Hemi.  The Teuton’s who own a Dodge dealership in their hometown of Houma, La., already have three Hemi-powered ’68 Barracudas and a ’69 Super Bee Stock eliminator entry in their stable, expect to have their new Challenger, which carries serial No. 16 of an expected 50 units, completed in time for the start of the 2010 season. 
 
Tough day at the office: The first two rounds of eliminations in Stock were not kind to many of drag racing’s biggest sportsman stars as Dan Fletcher, Peter Biondo, Kevin Helms, Adam Davis, Lee Zane Jeff Strickland, Anthony Bertozzi and Jerry and Terry Emmons are all out of competition. With 32 drivers left, there is still plenty of talent left in the field as former national champions Jeff Taylor, David Rampy, Michael Iacono, Edmond Richardson, Jimmy DeFrank, and Jim Waldo are among the survivors.

CIC concerns: Shortly before the rain interrupted the day’s activities, weather conditions at O’Reilly Raceway Park were cool and overcast which wasn’t good news for the 64 Comp Eliminator qualifiers who were hoping to preserve their respective indexes as eliminations began. Just seven pairs of Comp cars ran before the wet stuff began falling and three drivers took CIC hits, although none of them were quick enough to be permanent. Jerry Arnold was the quickest with a (-.602) 7.958 run in his G/Econo Dragster while Shawn Vincent (-.584) 8.546 in C/Truck Automatic and Joey Tanksley (-.519) 6.931 will also have their indexes adjusted downward for the next round. With cool weather forecast for the rest of the day, it’s probably safe to assume that more CIC hits are going to take place whenever the round resumes.