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April 14, 2008 - Elma, NY– It's been two years since the Port St. Lucie, Florida based Mel Bush Motorsports has competed at the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Spring Nationals; since then there have been many changes for Mel Bush and his team. The most notable is the addition of Tommy D'Aprile behind the wheel of Bush's fan favorite 62' Bel-Air Pro Mod.
D'Aprile, the 2006 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, missed the 07' Spring Nationals and the entire 2007 season after finishing fifth in the 2006 season. "06' was a great year for myself and my crew (Mike Martindell, Ron Logan and Fred Vinacco)," said D'Aprile. "One of the highlights of my rookie season was my first number one qualifier that happened at the Rock. When I look back at it now it's kind of funny. I took the number one spot right out of the trailer but was bumped back a spot by Mike Janis, the guy who prepares my car for me now. Luckily I was in the last pair and took the number one back and I'd like nothing more than to go there this year and grab the pole for Mel and this team."
D'Aprile, of Port Charlotte, FL wasn't the only member of this team to sit out the 07' Spring Nationals. Team owner and Top Sportsman Driver, Mel Bush, opted out of the 07' event due to both business and race team obligations. "We ran a limited schedule last year with the Top Sportsman car, something like six out of the 11 nationals. We had a shake up in our race team and it put us behind; that along with a busy work load made the decision for me," said Bush.
The IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Spring Nationals will begin Friday, April 18th and run thru Sunday April 20th. Sportsman time trials will run all day Friday with the first professional qualifying session taking place at 6 p.m. There will be two Saturday professional qualifying sessions, at 2 and 6 p.m. followed by the Night of Fire featuring the Super Shockwave jet truck. Final eliminations begin Sunday at noon. For up to the minute coverage go to: http//:NitroJam.com or http//:Drag Race Central | Presented by Summitracing.com 1-800-230-3030 with pit reports covered at http//:Torco Racing Fuel's Competition Plus.com - Drag Racing's Internet Magazine - Volume 10, Issue 04; April 2008 .
Photo By: Roger Richards
Mel Bush Motorsports Set For a Strong Return To IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Spring Nationals
April 14, 2008 - Elma, NY– It's been two years since the Port St. Lucie, Florida based Mel Bush Motorsports has competed at the IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Spring Nationals; since then there have been many changes for Mel Bush and his team. The most notable is the addition of Tommy D'Aprile behind the wheel of Bush's fan favorite 62' Bel-Air Pro Mod.
D'Aprile, the 2006 IHRA Pro Rookie of the Year, missed the 07' Spring Nationals and the entire 2007 season after finishing fifth in the 2006 season. "06' was a great year for myself and my crew (Mike Martindell, Ron Logan and Fred Vinacco)," said D'Aprile. "One of the highlights of my rookie season was my first number one qualifier that happened at the Rock. When I look back at it now it's kind of funny. I took the number one spot right out of the trailer but was bumped back a spot by Mike Janis, the guy who prepares my car for me now. Luckily I was in the last pair and took the number one back and I'd like nothing more than to go there this year and grab the pole for Mel and this team."
D'Aprile, of Port Charlotte, FL wasn't the only member of this team to sit out the 07' Spring Nationals. Team owner and Top Sportsman Driver, Mel Bush, opted out of the 07' event due to both business and race team obligations. "We ran a limited schedule last year with the Top Sportsman car, something like six out of the 11 nationals. We had a shake up in our race team and it put us behind; that along with a busy work load made the decision for me," said Bush.
The IHRA Knoll Gas Nitro Jam Spring Nationals will begin Friday, April 18th and run thru Sunday April 20th. Sportsman time trials will run all day Friday with the first professional qualifying session taking place at 6 p.m. There will be two Saturday professional qualifying sessions, at 2 and 6 p.m. followed by the Night of Fire featuring the Super Shockwave jet truck. Final eliminations begin Sunday at noon. For up to the minute coverage go to: http//:NitroJam.com or http//:Drag Race Central | Presented by Summitracing.com 1-800-230-3030 with pit reports covered at http//:Torco Racing Fuel's Competition Plus.com - Drag Racing's Internet Magazine - Volume 10, Issue 04; April 2008 .
Photo By: Roger Richards
