So this weekend is the Super Chevy Show.  It is another showcase of American muscle at its best complete with a car show, vendor midway, autocross and drag racing. 

This weekend will also have the PSCA pro street joining us.  That is cool.  The PSCA pro street cars are just amazing pieces of equipment.  Two weekends ago, Mike Maggio’s Camaro, yes, Camaro ran a 5.96 at 240 mph. In fact, he never ran slower than a 6.01 all weekend.  And, although he was the quickest car of the weekend, he wasn’t the only one to run in the low 6 second zone.  From what I hear, there are going to be about 20 pro street cars show up for the show.  And also joining in on the weekend will be some nostalgia dragsters and a jet car. 

Speaking of jet cars, it’s been quite a while since I have seen one actually run down the race track.  Yes, it’s true that I have been in the tower for every jet car we have run over the last couple of years.  But, that doesn’t mean that I get to see it.  Why?  Well, from the tower, a jet car run is a bit different that from the stands.  We see it from a different angle – right down the pipe.  And, we sit directly behind the business end of the jet.  When it first fires up, it looks just like the burner on a gas stove.  Then, they kick it into high gear.  A little smoke, a little pop and the jet comes to life.  That is when it gets interesting in the tower.  With the jet at full steam, the force actually moves the glass in the tower.  That creates enough back pressure in the building to lift the ceiling tiles.  With each pop of the afterburner, the building vibrates and smoke starts to sneak into the room.  The doors shake, the counters rattle and it gets a tad loud.  Totally cool!  Anyway, after all the preparations are complete and it’s time for the run, I do get to see the jet stage up on the start line just like any other car and the tree drop to green.  It’s after that that I miss the rest.  The billowing smoke has always covered the tower during the run.  I hear it but I am buried in a cloud.  Then, just about the time the jet car crosses the finish line, the smoke clears and I get to see the scoreboard.  It’s quite an experience.

I’m looking forward to “not seeing” the jet car again this weekend.  It’s going to be a great Super Chevy show!

Hello again and welcome to another installation of Nate’s Notes.  As expected, last weekend was spectacular!  NHRA put on yet another great show at The Strip.  The weather posed a little bit of a challenge for all of the race teams as each day provided something different. 

One day was the wind, the next was overcast and then there was the sun.  But, when it was all said and done, the racing was second to none.  Congratulations to all the winners who took home the Wally’s from Las Vegas.

In typical Las Vegas Motor Speedway style, this weekend offers another full schedule of activities at the drag strip.  I guess the phrase “no rest for the wicked” comes into play.  But I wouldn’t have it any other way.  It’s time for Mopars At The Strip.  That’s right.  The Chrysler powered machines are back.  Each year this event brings some of the most beautiful Mopars out from under their tarps to be put on display in Las Vegas.  I just love taking a little time to sneak away from the tower and go for a walk around the car show.  Every make and model of Dodge is on display including Darts, Barracudas, Daytonas and Super Bees.  Each one polished to the max from top to bottom.  And the best part is, many of them won’t just sit in the car show lot.  Nope.  They are racecars and will compete in one of the many classes racing this weekend.

The big “headliner” race of the weekend is, of course, the SS/AH Hemi Super Stock Shootout.  I love this race.  Every care runs quicker than 9.5 seconds in order to even qualify for the field.  And then, to add to that, they all pull some of the baddest wheelstands you will ever see.  Oh and yeah, it’s a Hemi!  Enough said. 

I think one of the best parts of this race for me is seeing everyone come in from all over the U.S.  as well as all of our local Mopar guys and gals.  It really is one of those events where I show up for the car show and a drag race breaks out.  I can’t wait.  See you all there!

Hello everyone!

I am Nate Hirschi, announcer at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  For the past seven years, I have been lucky enough to occupy a seat in the tower at the drag strip. 

I started calling races on Saturday mornings for the Short Line Express Markets NHRA Jr. Dragster Championship Series.  That has grown into announcing for the almost all of the activities at the drag strip with Dan Lea as well as a season behind the microphone at the Bullring and teaming up with Toby Kruse and Chet Christner each year to call the action during NASCAR weekend.  Along with all of the local race activities, I have been fortunate enough to announce NHRA divisional and national events both here in Las Vegas and on the road.  So, having said all that, on to the good stuff.

Spring is in the air and this weekend, so is the nitro!  This has got to be one of my favorite weekends of the entire year.  The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series is in town for one of two Vegas stops on the 2011 tour.   The excitement of side-by-side racing at more than 300 miles per hour pours through the air coupled with the pungent smell of nitromethane bringing tears to the eyes of fans everywhere.  There is truly nothing like feeling 16,000 horsepower vibrate your body to it’s core.  It all starts on Friday, April 1, and culminates with final eliminations on Sunday, April 3.

Normally, this weekend would be a very busy one for me on the announcer’s deck.  But, due to some scheduling conflicts, I will not be spending much time on the microphone at this event.  Instead, I am going to be enjoying the race as a true fan.  I’ll be strolling around the pits taking in all the sights and sounds.  I plan to stop by and visit a few good friends who will be camping at the track.  I have to admit, that is the best way to spend a race weekend at the drag strip.  Of course, I will also spend plenty of time watching the race and will definitely stop by the Bullring on Saturday night.  So, if we run into each other while you are out and about, say hello and let’s chat for a while.

This is only the start of a very full season at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  There are a lot of races and other activities planned for this year.  It is going to be one of the best ever so stay tuned!