Posted By: Mary Lendzion Sep 22, 2024

Written by Mary Lendzion
Photos by Rudy Rouweyha

Racers are the heart and soul of the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, and they certainly had everyone’s attention and appreciation across the categories at the 23rd Annual NMCA World Street Finals presented by Chevrolet Performance, held over the weekend of Sept. 19-22, 2024 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana.

As the final of six events on this year’s tour, championships and coveted points standings were a focus for many. The pressure was on, but the persistence and the performances proved that the racers accepted the challenge, despite hot and humid conditions. As a special feature, they shared the track with NHRA Funny Car racer Paul Lee in his McLeod Racing/FTI Performance Charger, and NHRA Top Fuel racer Krista Baldwin in her McLeod Racing/Lucas Oil Dragster, as they were on hand to make a few passes.

“It would be understandable if our racers were worn out by the time this final race of the year rolled around, but instead, they felt invincible, and that is inspiring,” said Rollie Miller, General Manager and National Event Director for NMCA and NMRA. “Through testing, qualifying and eliminations, they showed their razor-sharp skills and their resolution, and we applaud and admire that.”



Seeing, hearing and feeling the force of the cars in VP Racing Lubricants Xtreme Pro Mod is always entrancing, and that definitely includes Bob Glenn’s 1967 Mustang-bodied Pro Mod, which he piloted to a 3.76 to qualify in the third spot. The Floridian then flew through the rounds and met Craig Sullivan and his 1949 Mercury-bodied Pro Mod in the final round of eliminations. Both drivers tickled the throttle a bit to help settle their high-horsepower cars mid-track, and Glenn headed to the celebratory NMCA Winner’s Circle with a 4.12, as Indiana-based Sullivan stopped the clocks at 4.61.

Tony Scott and Lindsay Wheelock lined up for the final round of eliminations in Holley EFI Factory Super Cars, and Scott secured the win with a 7.85 in his COPO Camaro when Wheelock ran into trouble, after recording a good .017 reaction time, and couldn’t complete her pass in her Drag Pak.

Lenny Grawburg, out of Florida, has one gorgeous 1969 Camaro, and he has been driving the wheels off of it all season in ARP Nitrous Pro Street. At this event, he landed in the NMCA Winner’s Circle with a 4.23, and he was promptly celebrated among his NMCA family.

Two of the NMCA’s finest racers, Jessie Coulter and Bill Trovato, were ready to give it their all in Edelbrock Xtreme Street, but Coulter, in a 2003 Mustang Cobra, got the win with a 4.53 when Trovato was forced to lift in his 2013 Camaro.

When Dwight Ausmus and David Theisen lined up for the Dart NA 10.5 final round of eliminations, fans knew they were about to see some seriously nail-biting, naturally aspirated action. Both went wheels-up at the hit, with Theisen going higher and harder in his 1969 Firebird, and Ausmus arrived at the finish line first for the win with a 7.73 in his 1972 Firebird to Theisen’s 7.85.



It took four rounds of tough competition in Scoggin Dickey Parts Center Street Warrior 10.10 presented by Chevrolet Performance, but Brian Keiser went to the NMCA Winner’s Circle with a holeshot and a 10.27 in his 2016 Mustang over Mike Winters, who was 10.16 in his 1982 Mustang.

In Micro Strategies Stock Eliminator, Denny Hillman used an 11.49 on an 11.45 in his 1967 Camaro to defeat Jim Kaekel, who broke out with an 11.06 on an 11.09 in his Oldsmobile.

Bruce Lang and Mark Nowicki, two tough racers, made it to the Micro Strategies Super Stock Eliminator final round of eliminations, and Lang landed the win with a 9.61 on a 9.61 in his 1968 Barracuda while Nowicki broke out with a 9.60 on a 9.61 in his 1998 Avenger.

Cool Kentuckian Audrey Baize found herself in the final round of eliminations in Erson Cams Nostalgia Muscle presented by World Products, where she took the win with an 11.80 in her 1969 Dart over talented racer Jeff Toepper, who turned in an 11.23 in his Camaro.

MagnaFuel Open Comp saw tight racing on both ends of the track all weekend, and among the racers holding their own in the category were David Rickey and Jason Dietsch, who made it to the final round of eliminations. Rickey rocketed to the win with a 10.51 in his 2002 Camaro over Dietsch, who drove to an 8.93 in his Mustang Cobra Jet.

SunCoast Performance 8.60 Street Race, which is also contested in the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals, put the spotlight on Logan Day and Justin Johnson, and Day, who made the trip all the way from Florida, won with an 8.61 in his 2021 Mustang over Johnson, who also turned in an 8.61 in his 1982 Fairmont but wasn’t quite as quick when the tree came down.



In LME Street King presented by Chevrolet Performance, David Rickey, in his 2002 Camaro, defeated Wesley Butler, in his 1997 Mustang, with a 10.55 to Butler’s 11.17. Rickey doubled up for the weekend, as he also earned a win in MagnaFuel Open Comp.

Proform Rumble presented by Chevrolet Performance featured a father and son final round of eliminations, with Nicholas and Dewayne Massengale. Son Nicholas illuminated the win light in his 1999 Trans Am with a 14.03 on a 14.00 while father Dewayne broke out with a 12.18 on a 12.25 in his Corvette.

Circle D Specialties NMCA True Street drivers went for a 30-mile cruise before returning to the racetrack to make three back-to-back laps down track in competition. When the dust settled, Kevin Schweizer emerged as the winner with an 8.98 average, while Mike Post was the runner-up with a 9.38 average. Other standouts included Larry Rose (10-second winner), Rick Doern (11-second winner), Bryan Benge (12-second winner), Boy Huyser (13-second winner), Adam Retford (14-second winner) and Mike Baker (15-second winner).

Challengers, Chargers and Demons were featured in the Dodge //Direct Connection Shootout, where John Johnson earned the overall win with an 8.65 average. Other winners included Michael England (9-second), Michael Smith (10-second), Jessica Sipple (11-second), Dennis Cherry (12-second), Kimberly Smith (13-second), Audrey Baize (14-second) and Adrian Vander Acker (15-second).

The eight quickest drivers in the Dodge // Direct Connection Shootout earned entry into the HHP Racing Quick 8 presented by Scoggin Dickey Parts Center, where John Johnson joined the NMCA Winner’s Circle festivities with an 8.54 on an 8.54 after Michael Smith turned on the red light.

More than 30 racers with remarkably clean and chock-full of character classic cars came together for the NMCA Nostalgia Super Stock vs. Victory Series Nostalgia Super Stock Shootout presented by FueLab, and the old school charm was appreciated by all in attendance. In the fifth and final round of eliminations, Gabriel Ray recorded a perfect .000 reaction time and took the win in a 1964 Chevelle over Shaun Johnston, who turned on a -.004 red light in a 1967 Belvedere.

About 60 racers took part in the incredibly intoxicating throwback Dave Duell Classic/ Nostalgia Super Stock category, and in the sixth and final round, Donald Stahl locked up the win with a 10.51 on a 10.50 in his 1964 Dodge over John Hamer, who broke out with a 10.22 on a 10.25 in his 1967 Barracuda. In A Class, Al Corda collected the win in his 1962 Dart over David Horton and his 1965 Belvedere with a 10.29 on a 10.25 to Horton’s 10.75 on a 10.75, and in B Class, Cameron Stark secured the win over Dalton Bruemmer, in a battle of the 1965 Belvederes, and in a double breakout, with an 11.48 on an 11.50 to Bruemmer’s 10.96 on an 11.00.



Fast and fan-favorite cars were part of the FX Shootout presented by Dale Meers Racing Engines, and Brent Wheeler wrapped up the win with a 9.50 on a 9.50 in his 1966 Coronet over accomplished Nostalgia Super Stock racer Doug Duell, who went through the traps at 9.03 on a 9.00 in his 1964 Fury wagon.

The final round of eliminations in National Parts Depot F.A.S.T. Presented by Horsepower Depot welcomed Jordan Pennington and Terry Pennington. Jordan, in a 1967 Corvette, cruised to the win with a 9.62 over Terry, who took the runner-up spot with a 15.61 in a 1969 Corvette.

In National Parts Depot F.A.S.T. Factory Stock presented by Cor-A-Vent, Ryan Van Dusen buckled into his 1967 Corvette, and Jeff Wilkins buckled into his 1970 Torino, and Van Dusen drove to the win with a 12.50 over Wilkins’ 18.88.

Bracket Mayhem was also in the mix at this event. In Bracket 1, Cameron Bowles drove his grandfather’s famous Little Coal Digger Maverick to a 6.14 on a 6.12 dial to claim victory over Rusty Dobbs, who drove to a dead-on 5.53, but wasn’t quite as quick on the tree as Bowels, and in Bracket 2, Randy Dobbs raced his Chevy II to a 6.37 on a on a 6.32 to defeat Keith Seymore, who raced his 1974 Malibu to a 6.63 on a 6.42.

The NMCA offers a sincere and heartfelt congratulations to the winners on their success, and thanks race fans and sponsors for their support.

Points will now be carefully counted, and a story announcing 2024 Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals champions, and the final points positions, will soon be posted to NMCADigital.com and the series’ Facebook page.

“The 2024 Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals tour has been tremendous,” said Steve Wolcott, president and CEO of NMRA and NMCA. “We had everything from amazing racing to awe-inspiring added elements designed to entertain racers and race fans of all ages.”

We look forward to celebrating our racing family at the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals Awards Ceremony on Friday, December 13 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

Posted By: Mary Lendzion Sep 22, 2024

Written by Mary Lendzion
Photos by Rudy Rouweyha

Racers are the heart and soul of the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, and they certainly had everyone’s attention and appreciation across the categories at the 23rd Annual NMCA World Street Finals presented by Chevrolet Performance, held over the weekend of Sept. 19-22, 2024 at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Indiana.

As the final of six events on this year’s tour, championships and coveted points standings were a focus for many. The pressure was on, but the persistence and the performances proved that the racers accepted the challenge, despite hot and humid conditions. As a special feature, they shared the track with NHRA Funny Car racer Paul Lee in his McLeod Racing/FTI Performance Charger, and NHRA Top Fuel racer Krista Baldwin in her McLeod Racing/Lucas Oil Dragster, as they were on hand to make a few passes.

“It would be understandable if our racers were worn out by the time this final race of the year rolled around, but instead, they felt invincible, and that is inspiring,” said Rollie Miller, General Manager and National Event Director for NMCA and NMRA. “Through testing, qualifying and eliminations, they showed their razor-sharp skills and their resolution, and we applaud and admire that.”



Seeing, hearing and feeling the force of the cars in VP Racing Lubricants Xtreme Pro Mod is always entrancing, and that definitely includes Bob Glenn’s 1967 Mustang-bodied Pro Mod, which he piloted to a 3.76 to qualify in the third spot. The Floridian then flew through the rounds and met Craig Sullivan and his 1949 Mercury-bodied Pro Mod in the final round of eliminations. Both drivers tickled the throttle a bit to help settle their high-horsepower cars mid-track, and Glenn headed to the celebratory NMCA Winner’s Circle with a 4.12, as Indiana-based Sullivan stopped the clocks at 4.61.

Tony Scott and Lindsay Wheelock lined up for the final round of eliminations in Holley EFI Factory Super Cars, and Scott secured the win with a 7.85 in his COPO Camaro when Wheelock ran into trouble, after recording a good .017 reaction time, and couldn’t complete her pass in her Drag Pak.

Lenny Grawburg, out of Florida, has one gorgeous 1969 Camaro, and he has been driving the wheels off of it all season in ARP Nitrous Pro Street. At this event, he landed in the NMCA Winner’s Circle with a 4.23, and he was promptly celebrated among his NMCA family.

Two of the NMCA’s finest racers, Jessie Coulter and Bill Trovato, were ready to give it their all in Edelbrock Xtreme Street, but Coulter, in a 2003 Mustang Cobra, got the win with a 4.53 when Trovato was forced to lift in his 2013 Camaro.

When Dwight Ausmus and David Theisen lined up for the Dart NA 10.5 final round of eliminations, fans knew they were about to see some seriously nail-biting, naturally aspirated action. Both went wheels-up at the hit, with Theisen going higher and harder in his 1969 Firebird, and Ausmus arrived at the finish line first for the win with a 7.73 in his 1972 Firebird to Theisen’s 7.85.



It took four rounds of tough competition in Scoggin Dickey Parts Center Street Warrior 10.10 presented by Chevrolet Performance, but Brian Keiser went to the NMCA Winner’s Circle with a holeshot and a 10.27 in his 2016 Mustang over Mike Winters, who was 10.16 in his 1982 Mustang.

In Micro Strategies Stock Eliminator, Denny Hillman used an 11.49 on an 11.45 in his 1967 Camaro to defeat Jim Kaekel, who broke out with an 11.06 on an 11.09 in his Oldsmobile.

Bruce Lang and Mark Nowicki, two tough racers, made it to the Micro Strategies Super Stock Eliminator final round of eliminations, and Lang landed the win with a 9.61 on a 9.61 in his 1968 Barracuda while Nowicki broke out with a 9.60 on a 9.61 in his 1998 Avenger.

Cool Kentuckian Audrey Baize found herself in the final round of eliminations in Erson Cams Nostalgia Muscle presented by World Products, where she took the win with an 11.80 in her 1969 Dart over talented racer Jeff Toepper, who turned in an 11.23 in his Camaro.

MagnaFuel Open Comp saw tight racing on both ends of the track all weekend, and among the racers holding their own in the category were David Rickey and Jason Dietsch, who made it to the final round of eliminations. Rickey rocketed to the win with a 10.51 in his 2002 Camaro over Dietsch, who drove to an 8.93 in his Mustang Cobra Jet.

SunCoast Performance 8.60 Street Race, which is also contested in the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals, put the spotlight on Logan Day and Justin Johnson, and Day, who made the trip all the way from Florida, won with an 8.61 in his 2021 Mustang over Johnson, who also turned in an 8.61 in his 1982 Fairmont but wasn’t quite as quick when the tree came down.



In LME Street King presented by Chevrolet Performance, David Rickey, in his 2002 Camaro, defeated Wesley Butler, in his 1997 Mustang, with a 10.55 to Butler’s 11.17. Rickey doubled up for the weekend, as he also earned a win in MagnaFuel Open Comp.

Proform Rumble presented by Chevrolet Performance featured a father and son final round of eliminations, with Nicholas and Dewayne Massengale. Son Nicholas illuminated the win light in his 1999 Trans Am with a 14.03 on a 14.00 while father Dewayne broke out with a 12.18 on a 12.25 in his Corvette.

Circle D Specialties NMCA True Street drivers went for a 30-mile cruise before returning to the racetrack to make three back-to-back laps down track in competition. When the dust settled, Kevin Schweizer emerged as the winner with an 8.98 average, while Mike Post was the runner-up with a 9.38 average. Other standouts included Larry Rose (10-second winner), Rick Doern (11-second winner), Bryan Benge (12-second winner), Boy Huyser (13-second winner), Adam Retford (14-second winner) and Mike Baker (15-second winner).

Challengers, Chargers and Demons were featured in the Dodge //Direct Connection Shootout, where John Johnson earned the overall win with an 8.65 average. Other winners included Michael England (9-second), Michael Smith (10-second), Jessica Sipple (11-second), Dennis Cherry (12-second), Kimberly Smith (13-second), Audrey Baize (14-second) and Adrian Vander Acker (15-second).

The eight quickest drivers in the Dodge // Direct Connection Shootout earned entry into the HHP Racing Quick 8 presented by Scoggin Dickey Parts Center, where John Johnson joined the NMCA Winner’s Circle festivities with an 8.54 on an 8.54 after Michael Smith turned on the red light.

More than 30 racers with remarkably clean and chock-full of character classic cars came together for the NMCA Nostalgia Super Stock vs. Victory Series Nostalgia Super Stock Shootout presented by FueLab, and the old school charm was appreciated by all in attendance. In the fifth and final round of eliminations, Gabriel Ray recorded a perfect .000 reaction time and took the win in a 1964 Chevelle over Shaun Johnston, who turned on a -.004 red light in a 1967 Belvedere.

About 60 racers took part in the incredibly intoxicating throwback Dave Duell Classic/ Nostalgia Super Stock category, and in the sixth and final round, Donald Stahl locked up the win with a 10.51 on a 10.50 in his 1964 Dodge over John Hamer, who broke out with a 10.22 on a 10.25 in his 1967 Barracuda. In A Class, Al Corda collected the win in his 1962 Dart over David Horton and his 1965 Belvedere with a 10.29 on a 10.25 to Horton’s 10.75 on a 10.75, and in B Class, Cameron Stark secured the win over Dalton Bruemmer, in a battle of the 1965 Belvederes, and in a double breakout, with an 11.48 on an 11.50 to Bruemmer’s 10.96 on an 11.00.



Fast and fan-favorite cars were part of the FX Shootout presented by Dale Meers Racing Engines, and Brent Wheeler wrapped up the win with a 9.50 on a 9.50 in his 1966 Coronet over accomplished Nostalgia Super Stock racer Doug Duell, who went through the traps at 9.03 on a 9.00 in his 1964 Fury wagon.

The final round of eliminations in National Parts Depot F.A.S.T. Presented by Horsepower Depot welcomed Jordan Pennington and Terry Pennington. Jordan, in a 1967 Corvette, cruised to the win with a 9.62 over Terry, who took the runner-up spot with a 15.61 in a 1969 Corvette.

In National Parts Depot F.A.S.T. Factory Stock presented by Cor-A-Vent, Ryan Van Dusen buckled into his 1967 Corvette, and Jeff Wilkins buckled into his 1970 Torino, and Van Dusen drove to the win with a 12.50 over Wilkins’ 18.88.

Bracket Mayhem was also in the mix at this event. In Bracket 1, Cameron Bowles drove his grandfather’s famous Little Coal Digger Maverick to a 6.14 on a 6.12 dial to claim victory over Rusty Dobbs, who drove to a dead-on 5.53, but wasn’t quite as quick on the tree as Bowels, and in Bracket 2, Randy Dobbs raced his Chevy II to a 6.37 on a on a 6.32 to defeat Keith Seymore, who raced his 1974 Malibu to a 6.63 on a 6.42.

The NMCA offers a sincere and heartfelt congratulations to the winners on their success, and thanks race fans and sponsors for their support.

Points will now be carefully counted, and a story announcing 2024 Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals champions, and the final points positions, will soon be posted to NMCADigital.com and the series’ Facebook page.

“The 2024 Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals tour has been tremendous,” said Steve Wolcott, president and CEO of NMRA and NMCA. “We had everything from amazing racing to awe-inspiring added elements designed to entertain racers and race fans of all ages.”

We look forward to celebrating our racing family at the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals Awards Ceremony on Friday, December 13 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.