Submitted by Mark Vaselenak, RCP
Written by MSR Admin
Bristol, TN — Jason Blonde was the fastest of the fast Saturday afternoon at Bristol Motor Speedway as he established a new world record during the World’s Fastest Half-Mile Speed Trials.
Blonde, driving a Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series sprint car, clicked off a blistering lap of 144.871 mph in 13.245 seconds, shattering the previous track record of 138.442 mph in 13.860 seconds set by Sammy Swindell in June of 2000 at BMS during a World of Outlaws event.
Blonde hit the front stretch wall on his first attempt causing major damage, however, his outstanding crew, with the help of old friend and NASCAR crew member Jerry Kelly, were able to make repairs just in time as the one hour event time expired. The fans were on the edge of their seats as Jason returned to the track setting the record on the very last lap of the event.
“That last time out, I held my breath for two whole laps around this place. I just flat-footed it all the way around. I knew it was fast, but I didn’t know how fast. It was pretty great to find out that we had set the new world record. That’s pretty amazing.” said Blonde. “ I want to thank my car owners Don and Suellen Wilshe of BioBased US, my crew, American Racer for a great tire and Must See Racing, where the fans can see us race” he continued.
Mike Lichty set a new half-mile Supermodified world record with a lap of 144.634 mph in 13.267 seconds.
Sprint Cup driver David Ragan piloted his Ford Mustang GT 5.0 to a lap of 98.497 mph at 19.481 seconds, a world record
for a passenger car.
Scott Russell and his Yamaha took on the World’s Fastest Half-Mile and set a half-mile closed course record for a Superbike with a run of 97.990 mph, which he covered in 19.582 seconds.
Others participating in the World’s Fastest Half-Mile Speed Trials were USAC Sprint Car driver Bryan Clauson and ISMA Supermodified driver Brad Noffsinger.
“Jason, his wife Jenny and his team are first class people and great competitors, all of us at Must See racing couldn't be more happy and proud of them. They just set a very significant record with no trick parts or set up in a MSRXSS rule compliant race car using our new American Racer tires.” said MSR president Jim Hanks.
Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series sponsors BioBased US, Engine Pro, TruFuel, Royal Oak Charcoal, and Turtle Wax are proud of Jason Blonde, his team’s outstanding effort and his Bristol Motor Speedway world record.