Tom Hammonds (6.790, 204.66) and Karen Stoffer (7.108, 187.21) led the NHRA Pro Stock Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle divisions on the first day of the Eastern Spring Test Nationals presented by Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com at South Georgia Motorsports Park.

 

Sixty-five professional teams rolled through the gates of the Valdosta, Georgia-based facility. Many teams performed maintenance on their cars and plan to take advantage of the extended testing hours (9 AM – 10 PM) available on Friday. Temperatures hovered in the mid-seventy degree range for much of the day.

 

Tim Tindle was the quickest of the NHRA AMS Pro Modified entries with a 6.085, 235.89.

 

Robert Patrick, of Fredericksburg, VA, was the quickest of the IHRA Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stockers with a 6.385 elapsed time at 219.40 miles per hour. Patrick’s Purvis Ford Mustang edged out world record nemesis Rob Mansfield, who turned in a 6.403, 219.97. Mansfield’s lap served as the top speed of the first day.

 

Other notables included Brad Jeter (6.406, 218.80), Cary Goforth (6.409, 217.56), Pete Berner (6.411, 219.01) and Jeff Dobbins (6.432, 217.88).

 

Jim Halsey led the IHRA Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Modifieds by edging out Joe Bradtke, Chuck Weck, Herman Sheppard and Scott Cannon.

 

Gates open at 8 AM with the first testing runs scheduled for 9 AM. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for a high of 76-degrees.