View 2004 Race Schedule

Though rain threatens to end the event before it began, the NSCA event in Stanton, Michigan is a big one for "Mustang Mike" Modeste. Mike qualifies in the #2 position with an 8.11 @ 174 mph, and then steps things up in eliminations, running a 7.98 @ 176 mph and a 7.91 @ 179.9 mph. With the latter pass, Modeste sets both NSCA Limited street ET and MPH records with his 289 ci, F-2 powered Mustang. Mike then finishes an outstanding weekend by posting the win, and moves solidly into position for the 2004 Limited Street championship with just one race remaining on the schedule. 

Also putting on a good show was Donny Hastings, who struggles to keep the front wheels on the ground. In spite of the massive wheelstands and an ignition problem that was later diagnosed, Donny advances past the first round with 8.38 @ 164.  With the ignition and chassis sorted out, Donny and crew feel they can get the car into the 8.10's, possibly even 8.0's at their next event. In Super Street, Ray Sanchez appears to have tackled the electrical "gremlins" he has been fighting and shows impressive power in eliminations, but is unable to transfer the power to the exceptionally tacky surface. The Sanchez team feels they have turned the corner and plan to work on the chassis in preparation for the NSCA finale at Columbus.

Returning to action after a devastating fire earlier this year, Mark Micke runs his best times ever, in spite of the car "running out of steam" past the 1000' mark due to too steep of an axle ratio in the car. Mark runs consistent 7-teens in his time out with reverse mount F-3 equipped '68 Camaro at the Clash of the Titans event in San Antonio. Despite the high temperatures and tough conditions, the car runs a best of 7.14 at only 192 mph to set the Clash of the Titans Outlaw 10.5 record. Mark feels that the car has a legitimate shot at becoming the first Outlaw 10.5 car to run in the 6 second zone at over 200 mph. 

At the NMRA race in Michigan, ProCharged racers continue to excel. Local hero Don Walsh Jr. qualifies on top of Pro 5.0 with a 6.67 and advances to the finals, where mechanical problems force him to take runner up. Nevertheless, and despite a short season, Walsh is in position to take his second consecutive Pro 5.0 championship. In Super Street Outlaw, 3 of the top 7 qualifiers are ProCharged, including class leader and record holder Jim Blair. This weekend, however, the extremely competitive field takes a toll on Blair, as he loses in eliminations to fellow ProCharged racer Zach Posey, but Blair is still extremely close to locking up the class championship. In Real Street action, WFC7 champion and NMRA leader Tim Matherly is off on power but still reaches the semis, and is very close to winning his second chamionship of the seaon. In Drag Radial class, Phil Clemmons already has the championship secured, but proceeds to qualify #1 with an 8.30 @ 169, and goes on to take yet another win. In Wild Street action, local favorite Tim Huspen takes another win with a 9.64 ET in his ProCharged, carbureted Mustang.

Also enjoying a good weekend at the Clash of the Titans event was Titans class leader and Fun Ford Renegade racer Crede Young. Crede made his way through a tough field of "true" 10.5 cars to find his way to the winner's circle in True 10.5 class. By running consistent low 8 second passes through eliminations, Young also retains his points lead in the class. In other Outlaw 10.5 action, Travis Franklin also shows up ready to compete, but has the unfortunate luck of being paired up with Mark Micke in the first
round. Travis carries the tires nearly 200 feet and has the best seat in the house during Mark Micke's record setting pass. In Fun Ford action at Cordova, Rob Corujo once again reaches the finals in Drag Radial action, while Street Renegade ET record holder Joe Robinson posts a runner up as he makes a run for the class championship.

The Fun Ford weekend World Finals at the Texas Motorplex goes very well for teammates Travis Franklin and Crede Young, both of whom make final round appearances. Travis runs well in qualifying, running a 7.40 @ 188 mph in the Texas heat, while Crede lead the Street Renegade pack, qualifying in the #1 position with an 8.19 @ 172. Young continues his consistent performance in eliminations, where he runs a best of 8.11 @ 173 on his way to taking the win. Another ProCharged racer who finds himself at the top of the heap is John Bryant, whose F-2 equipped Mustang, after a 30 mile drive, triumphs over 81 other cars entered in the True Street class with his winning three run E.T. average of 9.38. Making his return to Street Outlaw competition is Jason Cohen who fights new car blues but shows the power to be competitive once he gets the new chassis sorted out. Doug Mangrum also demonstrates impressive power in his Pro car, running the quickest 330' times in the class, but is unable to get the car to work downtrack. Look for Doug to run some big numbers before this season's end.

ProCharged NSCA Limited Street racers make a strong showing in their last appearance of the season, the NSCA world finals at National Trail raceway in Columbus, Ohio. "Mustang" Mike Modeste qualifies #1 and clinches his second Limited Street Championship with a first round victory over Frank Mewshaw, the points leader for most of the 2004 season. Mike ends his season on a high note by capturing the event victory as well. Donny Hastings also makes a strong showing as he qualifies #5 with a 8.19 @ 168 mph in his 3350lb F-2 equipped Camaro. Donny's weekend ends early however, as he stands the car up on its rear bumper in the first round of eliminations. Other ProCharged racers in competition are James Kursay in his Drag Radial Malibu Station Wagon and John King in his "Junkyard Dog" EFI eliminator Blazer.