06/20/2023
As we rolled into Beech Bend Raceway Park for the Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals we all unloaded and was ready for several days of fun. Getting parked and situated on Tuesday, teched on Wednesday, 2 qualifying passes each on Thursday and Friday with eliminations on Saturday. The weather was hot but not unbearable, the wind blew just enough to keep it comfortable and the dark wet clouds never came in. We came with a few extra cars this week.
First in Pro Gas, we had Dan Hobbs driving the “Brief Encounter” Camaro, Dan is a Ford guy through and through but he was having some engine trouble and Pat made the call and brought the Camaro on down. Dan qualified very well with a 10.01 and went several rounds. He lost in the semifinals of a 63 car field! Hats off to Dan for doing an outstanding job in a car he’s never sat in before. Amber Phillips also made her appearance and qualified in the top portion of the sheet with her 9.01. She turned it red in round 2 by -.002.
Pro Comp we had the boy wonder, “action” Jaxon Messamore. He had the little purple roadster set on kill from the moment the trailer opened. He quickly found his way in the top of qualifying and never looked back. He turned on every win light possible and picked up his second win of the year and his back to back reunion wins.
Pro 7.50 we had Jarrod, Kelly, Bo AND the wonder kid “action” Jaxon unloading and had the cars ready for battle. Kelly and machine were still trying to find that sweet spot in the tuning department. She had a fast hot rod but managed to wrangle it back but lost the handle on it in the second round losing in a double breakout. Jarrod coming in hot off a win had the Dollar Devil rolling and looking good but was a little too fast first round. Bo unloaded and didn’t take long to land on top with a 7.503, taking the #1 spot. He earned and fought his way to the final sitting across the track from none other than the wonder kid “action” Jaxon in his Papaws ‘57 Chevy. Jaxon, filling in the seat for Randall, was not shy about what he was there to do. He took the ‘57 and landed in the #2 spot with a 7.505 and several dead on runs during eliminations. In the final it was Bo leaving first but taking too much stripe breaking out and leaving Jaxon with his first double up victories!
Pro 7.0 we had Pat and Robbie. Pat unloaded the mighty goat and thundered to a 7.05 at 200+ mph, Robbie with a little too much steam blasted to a 6.94 in Q1. In Q2 Pat was a little too fast and did not improve and Robbie going 7.010 taking the top spot. The final day of qualifying Pat still not improving any ended up qualifying 11th with Robbie improving and keeping the #1 spot with a 7.002. As eliminations start Pat was a touch early on the tree and was red ending his day in round 1. Robbie taking his car and going all 5 rounds landing him in the finals, winning his 4th Reunion!
Cackle Fest time, friend Dave Huber let Pat and Robbie make big flames in his “Porter Special” again this year. It was another fantastic outing with the little gray car and made many smile and cheer.
It was an outstanding weekend with family and friends that made the trip down and up to come hang out. We appreciate you all for your cheers and appreciate all that help! We wouldn’t be this fortunate without the help that we receive on and off the track!
