Troy Coughlin – Pro Street

The National Muscle Car Association brought their special brand of drag racing to Cecil, Georgia’s South Georgia Motorsports Park on the weekend of September 16-18 for the Barnett NMCA Nationals.  The racing action was as hot as the mid 90-degree temperatures.  Racers battled for bragging rights, trophies, and cash in twelve categories.

The headline category is Denso Pro Street and eight cars qualified.  Number one qualifier Vinny Budano (6.64 215) imported ace engine-builder Scott Shafiroff for this event.  Unfortunately, Budano’s day ended in the semifinals due to parts breakage.  In the finals, number two qualifier Troy Coughlin took a 6.77 205 victory over a fouling Kevin McCurdy.  Coughlin was driving a Chevy Cavalier which surprisingly is not one of the family's ex-Pro Stock cars.  It is powered by an 815- inch Sonny Leonard Chevy engine with nitrous.

Nitto Tire Super Street is the quickest class on 10.5 inch tires.  Dan Millen took his turbocharged Mustang to a victory over number one qualifier Bryan Markiwicz in his big-inch nitrous Mustang.  Millen took the opportunity to reset the NMCA speed record during the event.  The old record was 181 mph, but Millen raised it several times over the weekend, saving the best for last when he roared to an impressive 195.76 to soundly reset the mark.

Last Year’s points champ Tony Nesbitt won Flowmaster Nostalgia Pro Street in his 2002 Corvette, running a 7.72 183 to beat Mike Radnis' 1967 Camaro (7.82). 

Vortech Xtreme Street saw Tony Orts' ‘68 Firebird take an 8.28 167 victory over the Mustang of Jimmy Byrne (8.49).  Orts ran 8.37, 8.29, 8.27 before his final round 8.28 to outclass the field.

TCI/Fast Pro Stock went to Jamie Stanton in a 2000 Camaro at 9.05, 151, beating Steve Cagle's 9.24. 

Jimmy McDonagh won Car Craft Street Race in his ‘70 Chevelle with a mark of 9.74, which took out Mike Dezotell's Mustang (9.82).  Dezotell was number one qualifier and had top speed, but couldn't quite get it done in the final.

In BFGoodrich Mean Street, Jeff Swanson took out number one qualifier Gabe Large, 10.61 to 10.67.

Hamburger Nostalgia Super Stock was a battle of Mopars in the final round.  Donnie Wilson's 65 Coronet beat Larry Martin's 63 Plymouth.

Heath Shemwell took DTS Nostalgia Muscle Car in his immaculate 69 Camaro.  The double breakout final (10.50 index) saw Shemwell break out least at 10.48 to beat Jim Barr's 10.44.

Superchips Open Comp went to Jamie Rickman over Jimmy Harrell Jr.

Motive Gear Super Truck went to local racer Todd Sapp over the highly favored series points chaser and number one qualifier Randy Shearin.  Sapp's better light was all it took.

Super Pro went to first time winner and local racer Lisa Mouat over Ray Lloyd.  Lisa comes from a real racing family.  Her husband, Bruce, has won several big money bracket races and her son is the reigning Jr. Dragster track champion.  Her daughter is also a winner in Jr. Dragster.  Lisa has been racing for about a year and a half, and everyone was happy to see her take home the money in her smallblock Chevy dragster. Lloyd ran dead on his dial in with a zero, but Lisa sawed down the tree to take the win.

Pro (Footbrake) went to Shawn Parker over Chris Escobar.  Again, Parker had the better light.   

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