Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout Drag Race

Most of the attention of the LSX Shootout and NMCA World Finals was placed on the individual classes that make up both events. But we noticed a rivalry brewing between two competitors who were entered in two different categories. Keith Berry never lined up against Mark Carlyle since both were entered in different categories but they watched each other’s runs very closely; Berry competed in LSX Real Street while Carlyle had his street-driven Vette entered in Drag Radial. The reason for the interest in each other’s results was that a record hung in the balance between the two Corvettes. On the outside, not many people realized what was at stake as both competitors pulled to the starting line. But for the diehard Vette and LSX fan they knew that both cars were competing to claim the title for the Quickest IRS-suspended Corvette.

You might not think it’s a big deal but running low 8s with an independent rear suspension is quite an accomplishment. The adjustability just isn’t there for drag racing applications like a live rear axle combination offers. For these two racers and the LSX community, there was something on the line every time these guys pulled into the water box. Berry held the record going into the race with his nitrous-gulping Vette having gone 8.32 at 165 mph. In qualifying, Berry would run a quicker 8.22 and a best speed of 172 mph. But Carlyle unleashed a best of 8.15 at 172 mph from his turbocharged Vette to finish qualifying. Both racers finished runner-up in their classes but neither bettered the qualifying efforts and the record still stands at 8.15. Carlyle has hinted at taking a stab at the 7-second zone while Berry has cut up his car to go all-out Drag Radial racing with a live-axle setup.

NMCA Class Battles

The NMCA points race features a similar playoff system to NHRA’s Countdown as well as NASCAR’s Chase. That meant the World Finals was the battleground for titles in most categories. And in between the championship fever were several cars simply there to grab the cash and glory.

  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout Keith Berry
    Keith Berry tossed more nitrous at his Pro Line 428 LSX engine to top the Real Street category and to try to preserve the IRS/Corvette record.
    Keith Berry tossed more nitrous at his Pro Line 428 LSX engine to top the Real Street cate
  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout Flat Black Corvette
    Berry knew there wasn’t more he could do to chase down the turbo and watched as Carlyle lit up another 8-teen pass.
    Berry knew there wasn’t more he could do to chase down the turbo and watched as Carlyle li
  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout 1983 Camaro
    Kentucky’s Adam Preston sprayed a huge shot of nitrous on top of his 461ci engine in order to motivate his ’83 Camaro down track in low 8-second fashion. He ran a string of low 8s, with a best of 8.14 at 170 mph to take the LSX Real Street class win.
    Kentucky’s Adam Preston sprayed a huge shot of nitrous on top of his 461ci engine in order
  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout Gold Camaro
    The Gold Member Camaro, belonging to Jamie Stanton and Jake Holdridge, was on a mission in Xtreme Street. It’s a class limited by true 10.5 tires. After watching Bill Trovato throw down several runs in the 7.80s, the NY-based duo stepped up their game to consistent 7.90 runs. Stanton grabbed a holeshot for the win against Trovato in the semis and secured the championship title in the process.
    The Gold Member Camaro, belonging to Jamie Stanton and Jake Holdridge, was on a mission in
  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout Drag Racer
    Jim Jarrett ran his best time of the weekend in the finals, 7.37 at 187 mph, and scored overall runner-up in Nostalgia Pro Street. Jarrett lost to the tough entry belonging to Chuck Demory Jr., who had run 7.21 at 190 mph with his ’68 Mustang.
    Jim Jarrett ran his best time of the weekend in the finals, 7.37 at 187 mph, and scored ov
  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout 2002 Camaro
    Kevin Mitchell was a darkhorse in the Super Street 10.5 battle. His ’02 Camaro packed a twin turbocharged big-block Chevy engine (540 ci). The superclean Camaro whistled its way to a quarterfinal finish in Mitchell’s first NMCA event.
    Kevin Mitchell was a darkhorse in the Super Street 10.5 battle. His ’02 Camaro packed a tw
  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout Camaro
    Jeff Colletta locked up the Nostalgia Pro Street championship for the second time in three years. He and longtime friend and crew chief, Terry Williams, worked the 632ci engine hard and relied on Dart cylinder heads, engine block, and intake manifold to get the job done. Colletta’s big-block inhales the giggle gas thanks to a custom nitrous system by Monte Smith Performance.
    Jeff Colletta locked up the Nostalgia Pro Street championship for the second time in three
  • Chevrolets At The Lsx Shootout 1966 Nova
    Don Baskin brought four cars into competition at the NMCA World, two entries for Pro Stock, a Nostalgia Pro Street car, and the ’66 Nova II seen here. He drove the Nova to a semifinal finish in Mean Street and qualified number one with a 9.92 at 132 mph
    Don Baskin brought four cars into competition at the NMCA World, two entries for Pro Stock