For more than two decades the NAPA Thunder Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park have served notice that winter is over and spring has returned to the historic track. The NAPA 2010 Thunder Nationals should prove to be a worthy successor to that great series as the race expands to two nights for the first time ever. “The Fastest Track in Michigan” will host the 2010 NAPA Thunder Nationals this Friday and Saturday May 7-8.

During the off-season US 131 Motorsports Park repaved their track. Their already impressive surface now features concrete to the 1,000 foot mark for maximum traction. The new surface, combined with expected cooler temperatures, should once again prove that US 131 is indeed the "Fastest Track in Michigan." Headlining this year’s racing card are the stars and cars of the Mountain Motor Pro Stock Association (MMPSA). In fact, the Thunder Nationals will be only the second event ever for the newly-formed association and US 131‘s Pro Stock records are likely to fall.

For more than two decades the NAPA Thunder Nationals at US 131 Motorsports Park have served notice that winter is over and spring has returned to the historic track. The NAPA 2010 Thunder Nationals should prove to be a worthy successor to that great series as the race expands to two nights for the first time ever. “The Fastest Track in Michigan” will host the 2010 NAPA Thunder Nationals this Friday and Saturday May 7-8.

During the off-season US 131 Motorsports Park repaved their track. Their already impressive surface now features concrete to the 1,000 foot mark for maximum traction. The new surface, combined with expected cooler temperatures, should once again prove that US 131 is indeed the "Fastest Track in Michigan." Headlining this year’s racing card are the stars and cars of the Mountain Motor Pro Stock Association (MMPSA). In fact, the Thunder Nationals will be only the second event ever for the newly-formed association and US 131‘s Pro Stock records are likely to fall.

"We are pleased that the MMPSA chose US 131 Motorsports Park as one of their venues for their inaugural season," US 131 Motorsports Park's General Manager Jason Peterson said recently. "Pro Stocks have been a fan favorite at this track for many years and the professionalism they exhibit make them a real crowd pleaser. We are delighted to once again host racers like Pete Berner and Bob Bertsch as well as the father and son duo of Dean and Cary Goforth. Trevor Eman, who is coming all the way from Aruba, headlines the international field that also includes Canadians Larry O’Brien and Mark Martino. A full field of 16 Mountain Motor Pro Stock stars and their cars are expected."

MMPSA qualifying begins Friday at 5 pm with two more runs following at 7 and 9 pm that evening. Saturday will see one more qualifying session at 2 pm with eliminations beginning at 4 pm. Oklahoma’s Cary Goforth, the series’ point’s leader, will be looking to continue his winning ways after capturing a victory at the first event of the new series just a few short weeks ago in Rockingham, North Carolina.

In addition to the MMPSA competitors this year’s NAPA Thunder Nationals will also feature two big shows on Saturday night at 7 and 10 pm. Alcohol Dragsters, Pro Mods, the Bowen Family’s Violator Trans/Am Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car, the legendary Chi-Town Hustler, the wild Supercharged Thunder cars, Jimmy DeAngelo’s wheel-standing fire truck, and Jill Canuso’s Queen of Diamonds Jet Dragster will all be a part of Saturday’s professional shows.

Known as “The Little Jiant” [sic] due to her petite 4 foot 11 1/2” stature, Jill Canuso is a motorsports veteran who includes SCCA Road Racing and Monster Trucks on her racing resume in addition to numerous 300 mile-per-hour Jet Dragster runs. US 131 Motorsports Park is located alongside US 131 between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Use Exit 55 from US 131 for quick and easy access to the track.

Friday tickets are just $12. Adult Saturday tickets are $25 at the gate and $18 in advance at www.us131msp.com while children are just $7. See participating NAPA Auto Parts Stores for a $10 off coupon for Saturday’s event. For more information call the track at 269-672-7800 during business hours or visit www.us131msp.com anytime.