before finally landing in Bradenton ,” says Reynolds .
Bill Murray was managing Palm Beach Raceway at the time and actually became a great asset to Reynolds in putting on the race each year , as the event was tested in a variety of geographical markets .
Each time the race was moved further south , Reynolds admittedly says he feared racers would stop showing up . Instead , the opposite kept happening , with the most recent running being the largest gathering to date .
The biggest shock for Reynolds was realizing that there were 195 Jr . Dragsters on the property during the most recent running at Bradenton . Reynolds pointed out that the number was not a reflection of double entries ; there were actually 195 Jr . Dragsters that rolled through the gate !
“ I would have never imagined that there would be that kind of Jr . Dragster turnout , and I don ’ t think it will happen again because of the amount of kids aging out this year ,” Reynolds says . “ All total , we had more single-entered Jrs . than we had double-entered No Box !”
The event schedule had to be adjusted , but Reynolds insists the reason was weather related rather than car count .
“ We had early fog rolling in two nights in a row , and had it not been for that I believe we could have completed the event as planned ,” Reynolds says . “ We left the first race intact and combined the remaining two . The reason for that was because we still had people traveling to the event
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that hadn ’ t even arrived yet . I didn ’ t want to chop two races completely in half and have all kinds of issues with entry fees , payouts , etc ., so we kept the first race intact and combined the remaining two . Wade Rich kept the track on point all weekend and it all worked out .”
The most recent running in Bradenton did inspire a schedule change for next year ’ s format : “ We ’ re gonna open the race up early for time runs , and of course , that will be free ,” Reynolds says . “ When we begin on Thursday , we will begin with racing . If it needs adjusting further , we will certainly do that .”
As car counts have soared in recent years , the event has been mistakenly dubbed a “ big-money ” race in certain circles , which Reynolds flatly rejects .
“ If there ’ s one thing I want to convey , it ’ s the fact that the New Year ’ s Nationals is more accurately described as a ‘ bucket list ’ race or a ‘ destination ’
race ,” he says . “ It ’ s not a big-money race and it ’ s never going to be one .
“ As car counts have increased in recent years , people have been saying we shouldn ’ t have Jrs . or we shouldn ’ t have No Box , or shouldn ’ t do this or that ,” Reynolds continues . “ The idea for this race is for families to get together and enjoy it , and it ’ s always gonna be that way . We ’ re gonna continue having parties in the pits , continue shooting off fireworks and ringing in the New Year together . That was the idea behind this race and that ’ s how it will remain .”
After seven years and four different tracks , the New Year ’ s Nationals seems to have found a permanent home at Bradenton .
“ I can tell you with certainty , this race will never be moved from Bradenton ,” Reynolds insists . “ If for whatever reason it can ’ t go back to Bradenton , I ’ ll stop doing the race . This was the first time in roughly seven years that I came home and immediately said , ‘ I can ’ t wait to do it again !’”
Winners from the most recent running include Aaron Kinsey , who got past Matthew Peterson in Thursday ’ s Jr . Dragster finals . Lucas Walker got the win light over Maverick Palmatier in No Box , while Jason McCandless got past recent Immokalee Winter Series winner Travis Logan in the Box category . With Saturday and Sunday ’ s events combined , Jaylee Soucy emerged victorious over Hayden Land in Jr . Dragster , while Troy Safford got the No Box win over Laine Blackburn . In the Box finale , Tyler Bohannon edged out Donovan Williams for the $ 20,000 payday . DI
66 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 174