What a Magnificent Day to Race!

Ryan Alley

The day started a little cool, but turned hot as soon as the first cars hit the track for the second O'Reilly Auto Parts Test & Tune of the season. The day just got better as it went on. First things first, staff worked all week with ISC, engineers and the asphalt company to fix the top end of the track. There were no water issues today!

​There was a good mixture of cars from street cars to junior dragsters to bracket racing cars to super comp cars to nostalgic nitro funny cars!

Joe Haas Driving John Lawson's QuickDraw

There were stories galore starting with the Junior Dragsters. Ruby Zolper and Ryan Brockman completed their runs to earn their NHRA licenses. Danny Ellis, age 11 from Burbank,  started the process. Cooper Hamelen and Bobby Chase practiced today.

Another story was Audi Lawson running in the Lawson Nova, previously driver by her sister, Miranda. Audi was attempting to enhance her license to be able to run a 9-second car. She made several runs just missing the 9 second mark, but on the last one she made it. She will still need one more run to secure her license.

To see what a ride down Route 66 is like, Audi was kind enough to allow Social Media Coordinator Brandon Brown to mount a Go Pro camera in her car, Enjoy!

Another story was Joe Malfeo and his Orange Nova. Over the off-season, he made some engine upgrades. He was having some issues getting the car down the track. Garage Squad to the rescue! Joe Zolper, lead mechanic on the Velocity TV show Garage Squad, jumped in, tuned the engine and the Nova was back in business.

Another story was former JDRL driver, TJ Trench Jr., converting from his Super Pro Camaro to his Dad's, Todd, dragster. TJ is fast in the car and looking good. Over the off-season the car was repainted and is looking great!! Dad has a restrictor plate on the car, but TJ hustles the car pretty darn good.

Today was also the return to the track of Mark and Nick Cryer, Mark in the "Nu Big Thing" Smart Car and Nick in his dragster. For some reason I didn't get a shot of the dragster. I will make sure to get one tomorrow.

These were just some of the stories from a great day of racing. Here some images from all the day's action.

To see all the images from today, please click here.

If you see something you would like to purchase, please click here or on the Ordering tab at the top of the page.

​Next up is tomorrow's, Sunday,Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket Race #1. Gates open at 9 a.m.