2009 NMRA Keystone Automotive Ford National Series Tour - Battle Royale

The excitement of the BFGoodrich Drag Radial class is rarely equaled. Making over 1,000 hp and running on DOT tires makes this one of the wildest classes in drag racing, and the 12-car field took to the strip at Bowling Green, offering another dramatic season finale.

Final elimination were plagued with parts failure, however, as Steve Thompson, Jeff Reed, and Orson Johnson couldn't make the call. Once again, the second round was the magic round as Jason Lee lined up against Enzo Pecchini-a win for Lee would secure the championship. At the hit, both drivers left hard, but a serious wheelstand forced Pecchini to lift, handing the round win and the 2009 BFGoodrich Drag Radial Championship to Lee. The final round found Lee against Lyon. Both DR Mustangs left in a blur and amazingly ran identical 7.97-second passes, but Lyon moved first off the line and took the win on a holeshot by just inches.

In Pure Street, Mark Anderson mowed through the field on his way to the final, where he met Ryan Hecox. As the pair staged, Anderson needed to set the class record and take the win to seal up the championship. He cranked out a 10.17 to take the win, but he fell short of the record, handing the 2009 Pure Street Championship to Hecox.

Tommy Godfrey, the 2008 ACT Factory Stock Champion, came into Bowling Green looking to repeat. The weekend started off strong, as Godfrey qualified No. 1 with an 11.14. After working his was to the final, Godfrey lined up against Matt Armine. Armine left first, but Godfrey drove around him to take the win and the 2009 Factory Stock title.

In typical NMRA fashion, Saturday was the stage for Tremec True Street Presented by Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords magazine. The ultimate street car class was hoppin', filling much of the pits with a total of 92 cars and trucks. It was the second largest field of the year, and we would like to thank everyone who came out.

When the stampede of True Street machines returned to Bowling Green, drivers prepared for back-to-back-to-back passes. With the track prepped and the engines cooled, the drivers went for it and produced the fastest True Street class of the year. Allen Hurley of Bristol, Tennessee, took the top spot in his '88 Mustang with an average of 8.55 seconds. Michael Newton of Chatsworth, Georgia, also driving an '88 Mustang, took the runner-up spot with an 8.88-second average. Tim Casto of Mason, West Virginia, True Street winner from the Milan event, won the 9-second class with a 9.02 average to round out the top three.

Although the event was officially held at Beech Bend Raceway, Mustang fever spread throughout the city of Bowling Green. Everywhere you turned, Mustangs and Mustang fanatics were not far away. Restaurant parking lots became car shows and club meets, and as a Mustang enthusiast, you really felt the energy and a sense of community.

The NMRA point season may be over, but there is no end to the fun you can have with your muscle Mustang or fast Ford. We would like to thank all of the fans, racers, True Street participants, sponsors, and companies that have supported what we love in 2009. We would also like to give a very special thank you to the NMRA for giving us a place to do it! See you in 2010.