Words and photos by Jake ‘the Snake’ Amatisto

With such a strong finish at last year's NMCA World Finals in Indiana's Lucas Oil Raceway, everyone was amped up to start racing again for points, glory, and, ultimately, the coveted Nitto Diamond Tree Championship Ring – something you can only get from winning the points chase with the National Muscle Car Association. Bradenton Motorsports Park has been the destination for the opener for the past ten years thanks to Ross Racing Pistons and the action, once again, did not disappoint. There were a few old and new winners at this event and of course, some incredible runs in all the classes. The weather and track happened to get better as the weekend developed and the final rounds of the event featured some awesome runs. The bar has been set for the rest of the season, and it's only going to get better from here.     

Kooks Custom Headers Pro Street

In the NMCA's quickest and fastest class, Pro Street, seven of the country's baddest drivers showed up to Bradenton Motorsports park, all looking to get the glory that goes with an NMCA win. Chris Rini bookended the weekend with some stout numbers all weekend, running a 6.03 at 235 mph to take the pole, and managed to take out Keith Valone and Jimmy Keen to get into the final to face the turbo terror, Bill Lutz. When the the two lined up in the final, Lutz was looking to hack the tree to stop Rini's high-powered nitrous machine, but Lutz ended up lighting the red bulb by -.014 handing the overall event win to the New Yorker, Rini.  

Mickey Thompson Super Street 10.5W

Eric Lafferiere, who drives Jason Carter's evil twin turbocharged g-body Malibu, topped the field in Super Street 10.5W when qualifying was all-said-and-done, running a quick and ultra-fast 6.76 at 215 mph. Despite the great runs from the Carter camp, it was Willard Kinzer and Mike Murillo who ended up in the final round. Kinzer, who broke early and had his crew fix his car for eliminations and ended up getting a bye in the first round after Jim Brown broke, while Murillo basically cruised to the final with three broke byes, but that's where his luck ended. In the finals, both twin turbo machines (Kinzer vs. Murillo) were set to dual for ultimate NMCA inaugural glory and contingency cash and of course, the overall NMCA purse. Although Kinzer had a slow reaction and 60 ft. time, Murillo's tires got loose shortly after his quick launch and allowed the PTP-tuned racecar to sail to victory, 6.85 to 7.88.