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It took an extra day, but the inaugural DODGE NHRA Great Lakes Nationals was completed at US 131 Motorsports Park (Martin, MI). For a first time national event at this track, it surprised everyone with the sold-out grandstands, incredible track surface, and performances that set a host of new standards. The number of career best e.t.'s and mph's was mind boggling at times. Thankfully I was able to watch most of it on the FOX Sports broadcast, and the opening rounds that I missed are set to record early tomorrow morning. Following the Great Lakes, the full-time racers have just three days to pack up, and head 800 miles south to Rockingham Dragway (Rockingham, NC) for another first-time NHRA national event, then a week later, the third race in three weeks is at St. Louis., MO for the NAPA Auto Parts NHRA Midwest Nationals. The racers finally get a one-week break before heading to the 4th race in the Countdown to The Championship(s). By the end of the Midwest Nationals, the season championships could well be decided in more than one category.

Before we get too deep into the latest points standings for the PRO categories, and the Top Alcohol racers, we're going to finish our U.S. Nationals coverage, posting the Monday photos this evening, and start on the captions on Tuesday. We hope to have it all completed before the end of the week. Our next in-person reporting and photography will be from the 24th annual California Hot Rod Reunion (CHRR). Our Colorado correspondent, Dale Fackler. He already has his media credential, and his journey to Famoso Dragstrip planned out. Following that iconic event, the second Fuel Altered Chaos event of the season will be running at Tucson Dragway (Tucson, AZ). With 33 cars already pre-entered, it's sure to be a tremendous event.