Shakedown Nationals XVIII with its second year at Virginia Motorsports Park came with a surprise, in the form of a massive rainfall from one of many large tropical storms to reach the east coast. Staff and racers with backs against the wall didn’t let the rain stop them from racing, will over an inch of rain in the forecast major changes were placed in effect to ensure the event would be able to be completed by the end of the weekend. On Wednesday the limited testing was opened to all racers that were on the grounds, with many still en route from all over states. As Wednesday testing was nearing the rains came in overnight and all day Thursday pouring buckets of water on the VMP complex making for a long tear down and prep of the track surface.
Bruder Brothers waiting with new single turbo combo for tech inspection
Overnight the storms moved out leaving a beautiful day of qualifying for all classes. Once the track was dry and a fresh layer of sticky VHT was laid on the track, the staging lanes began to fill and burnouts got underway with big tire pro mods and top sportsman cars laying the rubber for radial guys who only needed a few passes in too start laying down low E.t and records. Tyler Crossnoe and Jimmy Bradshaw had the track on kill with the combination of great air had cars carrying the wheels sending the fans into loud cheers.
Marc McCloud in his Monte Carlo dragging the bumper in ultra street
As night fall closed in most of the fields were set for eliminations on Saturday, with a few classes making final passes on Saturday morning. Radial class leading the pack with records the big tire cars were looking for records as well. Twenty Six entries in pro mod with supercharged cars at the top with low 60’s and nitrous cars close in trail. Stevie fast took shadow deep in the 3.50s Ron green in pro 275 locked down the record and x275 hosted some back to back teen passes from a few teams.
Steve Beaston wheels up in the Virginia sunset
Shakedown carried over into Sunday where winners were crown and racers collected trophies with huge paychecks to show who was the man of the weekend, but I can’t forget the big surprise with the announcement of outlaw street car reunion coming to VMP in 2021. Don’t forget to check out the list of the class winners and the gallery below as well.
Radial vs. The World: Stevie Jackson
Pro 275: Ron Green
Outlaw 10.5: Blake Copson
Limited Drag Radial: Daniel Ray
X275: Rob Goss
Ultra Street: Louie Filippides
Real Street: Shane Stymiest
Limited 235: Danny Niceley
Top Sportsman – Ultimate 48: Bootie Harris
No Clock Small Block – Elite 8: Kenny Leach
Pro Modified winner Ron Muenks under the lights
