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NMCA's Fifth Annual LSX Shootout - Launch ControlNMCA’s Fifth Annual LSX Shootout Hits Indy in a Big Way. From the April, 2012 issue of Chevy High Performance By Steven Rupp Photography by Nick Licata, Steven Rupp
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When GM’s LS engine platform burst onto the scene in 1997, people quickly figured out that it was a game changer. While the LT1 engine was an evolution of the Gen I V-8, the LS1 was designed on a fresh sheet of paper. Since then it’s become the go-to engine for hot rodding and racing. Given this popularity, the guys at the National Muscle Car Association (NMCA) decided that the LS engine deserved its own racing series, so in 2007 they introduced the LSX Shootout. This year the shootout has moved to Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, and in addition to the LS-powered rides, they also folded in their FueLab World Street Finals, which is open to any American-made car looking to blast down the quarter-mile. The event went down over the course of three days and really had something for everyone. For drag racers there were a host of classes, including Drag Radial, All Motor, Real Street, Rumble (index), and True Street. And while there were quite a few Fords and Mopars lurking about, Chevy muscle outnumbered them all. Within the LS-specific racing there were even a few classes just for the new Fifth-gen Camaro. When tallied up there was well over $50,000 offered in cash and prizes for the winners, you can bet that everyone was there to get a piece of it. For spectators there was a killer car show, a burnout contest, exhibition jet cars, used parts swap meet, and a huge vendors midway where anyone looking to build a fast ride could check out all the sweet widgets needed to win races and look good doing it.  The ARP Pro Street Nostalgia...  The ARP Pro Street Nostalgia class was super cool to watch. Blowers, smoking tires, what’s not to love? When the tire smoke cleared Jim Jarrett of Saint Clair, Minnesota, was the man on top with a final round run of 7.247 at 190.97 mph. All that in a Camaro that’s nice enough to pose at any car show.  Kurt Anderson is always one...  Kurt Anderson is always one of our favorite competitors because he’s typically dead-on consistent in the drags and gives us lots of wheels-up action. Unfortunately, his torque converter went south, so he ended up parking his ride and just enjoyed the remainder of the show.  In the always packed and extremely...  In the always packed and extremely competitive LSX Rumble class, Dennis Pearson battled his way though seven rounds to become the last man standing. In the final heat his ’98 Camaro broke out with a 10.991 against his 11.0 dial-in. His 119.17-mph trap speed revealed that he got out of it at the end, but he was still too quick. Luck was on his side though, since Tim Habel in the opposing lane, had the same issue only worse, giving Pearson the win.  Barry Camp brought out his...  Barry Camp brought out his low 9-second ’66 Biscayne from Monroe, Georgia. Check out the twisted Mopar in the opposing lane.  Another Nostalgia class was...  Another Nostalgia class was the MC deal sponsored by Mr. Gasket. Paul Osipoft worked his ’70 Nova hard to the final round where he took Second Place with a 12.031 at 109.7 against his 12.0 dial-in.  A unique class that seems...  A unique class that seems to be catching on is E85. Like you would guess, all the cars in this category run E85 gas in the tank, which takes a whole other skill set. The top spot was won by Rob “Mr. Z” Keller in his ’78 Camaro with a final round run of 9.103 at 132.01 mph.  When it comes to large two-door...  When it comes to large two-door Chevys, they don’t get much bigger than Wade Wells’ ’69 Caprice. He brought his ride all the way from Springville, Alabama, where we saw him knock down an 11.146 at 118.62 mph. For a car this big, that’s really movin’ out!  Carbs, EFI, heads, and a host...  Carbs, EFI, heads, and a host of other go-fast parts were on display at the Edelbrock booth. Edelbrock was just one of many manufacturers showing off their goods to every racer looking for that extra winning edge.  There was also a swap meet...  There was also a swap meet at the event selling everything from race parts to complete cars. We were diggin’ the retro-licious Mickey Thompson wheels.  Jacob Weigl’s problem was...  Jacob Weigl’s problem was that he was just too darn fast. In Round One he ran a 10.999 against his 11.0-second dial-in, but lucked out when the other guy broke out worse. In the second round he was faster still with a 10.972, only this time, the error was fatal and he was sent home. Even so, it was cool watching his ’79 Malibu wagon run.  John Warren of Vine Grove,...  John Warren of Vine Grove, Kentucky, launched his yellow Yenko-inspired ’72 Nova to a blistering 9.628 quarter-mile run. Given his trap speed of only 100.63 mph, we’re not sure what happened, but obviously the Nova is capable of even faster e.t.’s.  Between the LS and non-LS...  Between the LS and non-LS cars, the True Street field was packed with well over 60 competitors. After the obligatory 30-mile drive, the cars were lined up in preparation for their three back-to-back passes.  At the end of the non-LS True...  At the end of the non-LS True Street competition, Brian Adams got the runner-up spot with a three-run average of 9.389. It’s nice to know his ’72 Nova runs as good as it looks.  In the non-LS True Street...  In the non-LS True Street competition the 10-second bracket winner was Rick Lang in his ’71 Nova. Rick laid down a three-run average of 10.010 seconds for the title.  We just can’t get enough of...  We just can’t get enough of big cars grabbin’ air. This time it was Todd Taylor in his sweet ’67 SS Chevelle. Taylor ran a three-pass average of 11.092 to take the runner-up spot in the non-LS True Street 11-second bracket class.  In the LS-powered True Street...  In the LS-powered True Street Competition, Greg Edwards claimed the runner-up position for fastest of the fast with his ’02 Camaro. His three run average was 9.212 with a quickest run of 8.756 seconds.  For those who didn’t want...  For those who didn’t want to run down the tarmac, they could also participate in the huge show ‘n’ shine on Saturday. Plenty of glimmering Chevys in all shapes and colors were on hand.  Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center...  Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center was on hand showcasing their latest goodies. Especially tempting was this GM Performance Parts LSX 376 long-block!  The action was fast in the...  The action was fast in the COMP Cams Pro Stock Eliminations, where Michael Fratena of Melbourne, Florida, took the runner-up spot when he redlighted in the final run. Earlier his ’89 Camaro lit up the boards with an 8.531 at 137.92-mph run.  The ’99 Camaro from the School...  The ’99 Camaro from the School of Automotive Machinists piloted by Judson Massingill took the overall win in the LSX All Motor Shootout with an 8.315 at 157.15-mph pass.  After seven rounds of brutal...  After seven rounds of brutal racing in the LSX Rumble Class, Dennis Pearson in his ’98 Camaro came out on top. In the final round he broke out with a 10.991 against his 11-second dial in, but so did Tim Habel in the opposing lane, giving him the win.  The final round of the Fifth-Gen...  The final round of the Fifth-Gen Shootout pitted Shawn Calabrese against Lou Filippides, both in ’10 SS Camaros. Calabrese broke out with an 11.941 against his 12-second dial-in, handing over the win to Filippides.  SSRs are known for being comfortable,...  SSRs are known for being comfortable, their portly weight, and not exactly for being fast. Well, someone forgot to tell that to Jesse Wilson of Alexandria, Indiana, as his ’04 SSR put down a very respectable 11.710 in the quarter. CHP
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