Fun Ford Weekend - Bristol Dragway - Elemental Showdown

Having sold his Street Bandit ride last year, Cale Aronson had Skinny Kid Race Cars build a suitable Street Outlaw chassis for this '05 Mustang body-in-white he got from Ford Racing. Powered by a normally aspirated, Jon Kaase-built 698ci motor, the Mustang's first track outing here in Bristol was spent sorting things out. Despite that, Aronson qualified Seventh with a 7.50-second effort. You can see how the car went together at www.fordracingparts.com under the Builds menu.

Another new ride is Mark Van Meter's '05 Mustang driven by Joel Greathouse. In addition to being show-car quality, the Pony galloped to the number-one qualifying spot in Street Outlaw with a 7.13-second performance.

New to the Fun Ford circuit was Jerry Bridgforth and his '66 Hertz Mustang. Propelled by a 705ci engine, the Mustang qualified 10th in Mr. Gasket Pro with a 6.80 at 197 mph.

Part of the True Street cruise this year involved a couple of laps around the Bristol Motor Speedway's half-mile circle track. Watching drag cars invade NASCAR country was truly a sight to behold. It was such a success that it just may happen again next year.

Tony Whetstone (near lane) of Tallahassee, Florida, secured the SCT Street Stang win for the Fun Ford Richmond makeup, and qualified Sixth for the Bristol event.

Jeremy Martorella (right) grabbed the Fun Ford Richmond Blow-By Racing Street Warrior win from reigning champ Darrell Peterson, as well as the number-one qualifying spot for Bristol, thanks in part to his Glidden Racing Engines power. His engine builder, Bill Glidden (left), was also a Fun Ford Richmond winner in ProCharger Street Outlaw.

Austin, Texas, resident Matt Jones has manhandled the Edelbrock Street Bandit class this year. A win in the Richmond finals, followed by qualifying number one for Bristol, further cemented his control over the class points standings.

Master of all things bracket racing, Robert Hindman of Knoxville, Tennessee, took home the big Steeda/Hyland Mod Motor check after defeating Bill Lemay in the Richmond makeup final.