The 2nd event of the NMRA Season found the Steeda team in Commerce, GA at the action-packed 10th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals in Commerce, GA! The Steeda team made the four-hour drive up from Valdosta to Atlanta Dragway on Thursday and set up shop for the weekend.
After a close runner-up finish in Bradenton (by .011) and a new record, we followed that up with a W this weekend! Huge shout-out to our sponsors, American Racing Headers, Baer Brakes, CM Components, QA1 Motorsports, and Race Star Wheels for supporting the Steeda Silver Bullet. Even with everything Mother Nature threw at us we ran consistently in the 10's all day (10.92, 10.93, 10.94). Scott Boda, knowing the 11-second QA1 Tru Street Class was within reach, pulled out all the tricks to try and get that 11.0 average. With a deep stage on the final pass and a hard tap of the brakes, we got an 11.041 average and the WIN in True Street. We couldn't be happier with this damn car! Keep an eye out as the build continues, because our next trip to the track will seriously drop our 60-ft with a part everyone has been waiting a long time for!
Steeda racer, friend, and overall badass, Donnie Gilder, was also running in True Street. Donnie, never one to back down from a challenge or a race, was at Silver Dollar Raceway Friday night running in the Daily Driver Class. After hours of racing, Donnie found himself in the finals Saturday morning around 1:20am. Unfortunately, he got a little too aggressive on the tree and pushed the beams and red lit (footbrake only). Still, it was a strong runner-up finish. Donnie then loaded up, got a couple hours of sleep, and headed to Commerce to race again on Saturday. Luck wasn't on Donnie's side Saturday, as he experienced some water in his oil after a test hit in the AM. This would have stopped most racers but Donnie decided to "send it". This ultimately lead to a completely popped head gasket after his second hit in True Street ending his weekend. Watch out though, Donnie promises to be back faster than ever!
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Chris Parisi was also in Commerce doubling up in several classes. With the weather throwing everyone a curve ball it made index racing tough. This lead Chris to a quarterfinals exit in Super Stang as he ran too fast and broke out. Chris had similar luck in True Street and ran too fast on his 3rd attempt and just missed the 14-second win.
Randy Thomas, another longtime Steeda customer running our reintroduced Hardcore Adjustable S197 Lowers, found himself at the top of the NMCA True Street class. He was smooth and consistent all weekend long and averaged an 8.98 in his GT500 Streetcar.
Last but certainly not least, was our friend Terry "Beefcake" Reeves who raced in Modular Muscle. Racing in a bracket class can be difficult with over 1000 hp, but that's why Terry relies on Steeda Suspension for his 2018 S550 Mustang GT. Terry became the FASTEST 2018 Mustang by going 9.60 @ 144mph! There is a lot left in this Vortech-charged combo and we can't wait to see the progression.