With the NMRA finals taking place the last weekend of September, attending the Bowling Green race was the fur-thest thought from his mind. However, Michael's buddies at the firehouse knew about his racing endeavors and insisted he attend the finals. They would cover for him so he could go-and he's glad he went. "The Bowling Green race was the most fun I've ever had," Michael says. He was even chosen to raise the flag prior to eliminations, for which he was honored and thankful to the NMRA for its remembrance of September 11.
Though he didn't win the Bowling Green finals, Michael did get his first win at the NMRA's '02 opener at Bradenton. It's interesting how it all played out because he was unchallenged in the final. We all watched his fire-engine-red Mustang go down the track, with just the sound of Michael bangin' gears. Kinda fitting, don't you think? 5.0
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN |
| Block | ’69 302 |
| Displacement | 306 |
| Heads | GT-40, T&D roller rockers |
| Camshaft | Stock 5.0 |
| Intake | Ford Racing Performance |
| | Parts Cobra |
| Throttle Body | Accufab 65mm |
| Mass Air | Pro-M 75mm |
| Fuel System | Aeromotive fuel pump, |
| | lines, and fuel rails; FRPP 24-lb/hr injectors, Paxton fuel-pressure regulator |
| Exhaust | Bassani headers, custom X-pipe, |
| | DynoMax mufflers |
| Power Adder | “I wish!” |
| Transmission | Ed Smith Liberty |
| | Pro-Shifted T5, Centerforce clutch, |
| | Pro-5.0 shifter |
| Driveshaft | FRPP aluminum |
| Rearend | 8.8, Strange Pro-Race axles and spool, 4.30/4.56 gears |
| ELECTRONICS |
| Engine Management | FRPP EPEC, tuned |
| | by Jimmy LaRocca |
| Ignition | MSD |
| Gauges | Auto Meter |
| CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION |
| FRONT SUSPENSION |
| K-Member | Stock |
| Struts | Lakewood 90/10, HPM |
| | caster/camber plates |
| Springs | Moroso |
| Brakes | Aerospace discs |
| Wheels | Monocoque |
| Tires | 165R15 radials |
| | Rear Suspension |
| Traction Device | HPM lower control arms, Wolfe Race Craft double-adjustable uppers and single-adjustable antiroll bar |
| Shocks | AVO double-adjustable |
| Springs | Stock |
| Brakes | Aerospace discs |
| Wheels | Monocoque |
| Tires | BFGoodrich Drag Radials 275/60/15 |
| Chassis Stiffening | Tony’s Metal Craft |
| | 10-point cage and through-the-floor |
| | subframe connectors |