NMRA 2007 Ford Nationals - Where The Big Drags Run -The Official '0.7 NMRA Ford Nationals Fan Guide

2006 Class Record:ET: Eric Holiday, 11.403 secondsMPH:Eric Holiday, 118.29 mph

Ones to Watch* Jeff Schmell's modular-powered Mach 1 frequented the final round of racing at numerous events. He won't take being second best much longer.

* Eric Holiday and Steve Gifford's Two-Valve terrors stepped up to the plate with the quad-valve boys and delivered plenty of solid punches in eliminations, making the Cobra clan feel the performance pain the Windsors have weathered in the last couple of years.

* Jonathan Paulk, Brian Marr, and John Leslie Jr. will continue to uphold the Windsor dynasty, plotting for just the right moment for their return to victory.

Roush PerformanceModular MuscleThe Modular Motor class is center stage for showcasing the capabilities of the overhead camshaft modular engines. You can transplant your favorite 4.6, 5.4, or V-10 modular engine in any Ford body with any transmission in this all-run field. All competitors will dial one-tenth quicker than their quickest qualifying time. Only e.t.'s between 9.10 and 15.99 are allowed to compete. Don't look for an easy go of it here-the fields are big and racing is intense. No electronics allowed!

Robert HindmanRobert Hindman needs no introduction-he is the envy of many Modular Muscle racers. He is proof that you can make a decent living as a racer in the sport of Ford heads-up racing. Don't think it comes easy either. Robert's team had to make a rare late-night engine swap the night before race day only to battle to the final round, which rewarded the winner with the '06 Modular Muscle season championship!

One to Watch* Tom Motycka's uncanny consistency kept him in contention well into the final round of the season finale, as did the record setting reaction times of the docile sportsman, Stacy Estel.

Open CompThe Open Comp class is for all you racers who want to race in a big time racing series for your own Super Bowl-type championship diamond Tree ring. All Ford-bodied and powered race or street cars can compete in this all-run pro Tree qualifying style version of heads-up, known as an Open Comp. All competitors dial one-tenth quicker than their quickest qualifying time. Only e.t.'s between 9.10 and 15.99 will be allowed to compete. Most of the competitors will be bracket racers looking for something different. The fields will be full and racing intense. No electronics allowed!

Randy ConwayRandy Conway did what some would think was backward: he switched from fuel injection to carburetion to gain the consistency needed to get his 302-powered '94Cobra in the winner's circle. Edelbrock off-the-shelf Victor Jr. heads and manifold, 650 Demon, and a 0.620-lift camshaft are the tools that propelled him to his first championship with two event wins. The family business, Conway Car Care, and his family of followers should keep his adrenaline levels high enough to be a threat to repeat.

Ones to Watch* Larry Geddes is a former champion and lost by a mere 300 points to finish second with two final-round appearances, up from his fifth place finish last year. Larry's Denso-sponsored entry is on the move with only one spot to go.

* Robert Motycka won two events in 2006: his 544-cube, nine-second Mustang chased them down all year in his first season in Open Comp. Of course, Motycka Trucking will be in contention this year, in about four classes.

29TH Annual Nitto Tire NMRA Ford Expo '07August 30-September 2, 2007 (Labor Day Weekend)National Trail RacewayColumbus, Ohio

As one of the oldest all-Ford events in the nation, the Ford Expo experienced the cars and stars of the NMRA Ford Nationals for the first time in 2005. The combination of this time-honored nostalgia Ford event with the wild and crazy NMRA heads-up drag racers made for an exciting weekend. We will be back to National Trail in 2007 to do nothing but improve on this classic Labor Day Weekend event. If you attended in 2006, you know this event boasts all kinds of special features. From the gigantic swap meet to the overflowing car show and swarm of mini meets, it pushed even National Trail's extensive grounds to the limits. On top of that, we'll run a big-money, all-Ford bracket race that includes the Nostalgia '78 class, as well the adorable junior dragsters. The NMRA Ford Expo is sure to be the most unique event of the '07 season, so if you're looking for a weekend full of Fords-from vintage to late-model-this is the place to be!

Directions: National Trail Raceway is about 20 miles east of Columbus on old U.S. Hwy. 40, 1 mile north of I-70 at the Kirkersville exit. From Columbus, take I-70 to Hwy. 158 North and follow the signs, or take I-70 to Highway 37 North to U.S. Hwy. 40 and follow the signs.

Official NMRA Host Hotel Information: Hotel: Super 8 MotelAddress: I-70 & SR 79; Buckeye Lake, OH 43008 Phone: (740) 929-1015Web site: www.super8.com Directions: Take I-70 to exit 129A, at end of ramp turn right, then turn right after hotel sign.Special Instructions: Ask for the NMRA Room Block.

Official Host Car Club Information: Club: StangBangerzLocation: Cincinnati, OHWeb site: www.stangbangerz.com Contact: Scott SnyderPhone: (513) 720-5686E-mail: info@stangbangerz.com

Pre-Race Party Information:TBA: See www.nmraracing.com for updates

Detroit Locker Truck & LightningThe Truck and Lightning class is for all you truck racers looking to prove your truck is the toughest. You could also win your own Super Bowl-type championship Nitto Tire diamond Tree ring. All Ford-bodied and powered trucks are allowed to compete in this all-run pro Tree qualifying style version of Open Comp. All competitors dial one-tenth quicker than their quickest qualifying time. Only e.t.'s between 9.10 and 15.99 will be allowed to compete and electronics are not allowed.

Keith "The Captain" KohlmanKeith "The Captain" Kohlman's squarebore 331-cube mighty mouse has no problem handling a couple hundred horsepower via a Compucar nitrous oxide system. Thanks to the efforts of crew chief and former series champ Mark Morales, The Captain earned four wins and two runners-up, making the repeat complete!

Ones to Watch* Mike Motycka's old F100 scored three runners-up and two wins to keep Captain Kohlman checking his rearview mirror.

*Don't forget about David Cole and Johnny Lightning, who equally yearn for the class Oscar.

9th Annual Nitto Tire NMRA World FinalsOctober 4-7, 2007Beech Bend Raceway ParkBowling Green, Kentucky

Nestled in the rolling hills of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Beech Bend Raceway will again host our world finals event for the '07 season. As a 9th Annual event, this is not only one of the NMRA's oldest, but also hands down the largest. With more than 300 heads-up race cars attending in 2006, you can expect close to 400 this year. To top that, we'll be running the Vortech Outlaw 10.5 class, a super-fast class designed for cars with tires stamped 33x10.5W, 31x10.5W, or smaller. For those of you with more than racing in mind, the world finals features one of our largest car shows, swap meets, and vendor midways. As usual, Mr. Darryl Bassani will host one of his famous dinner parties with a live band and a lot of excitement. So come down to Beech Bend Raceway for an action-packed, all-Ford extravaganza and watch the '07 season championship be decided on the strip!

Directions: From I-65, take 31W South toward Bowling Green to the fourth traffic light, turn right on Riverview, and follow the signs to Beech Bend.From Natcher Parkway, exit 7 and turn right at stop sign. Take a left at the next stoplight on 880, then go to the third stoplight and take a left on 68. Go to the next stoplight and take a left onto Riverview. Follow the signs to Beech Bend.

Official NMRA Host Hotel Information: Hotel: Ramada InnAddress: 4767 Scottsville Rd.; Bowling Green, KY 42104Phone: (270) 781-3000Web site: www.ramada.com Special Instructions: Ask for the NMRA Room Block!

Official Host Car Club Information:Event Date: October 4-7Club: Stampede Mustang ClubLocation: Clarksville, TNWeb site: www.stampedeusa.com Contact: David BurnettPhone: (931) 552-1044E-mail: moocowdave@gmail.com