The very first event of the year for the National Mustang Racing Association’s national series has just come to a close. Exciting contests and wheelies were seen in every class. But the G Force Coyote Stock class had a spectacular showdown, with eventual winner Frank Paultanis breaking the national record.
New Class National Record!
A Michigan-based Ford engineer, Paultanis showed up at the Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida with his G-Force Coyote Stock SN-95 Mustang (2004 Mustang). He showcased the power lurking inside his second-gen Ford Performance sealed crate engine right from the start.
In the opening qualifying session, Paultanis drove his G-Force Coyote Stock SN-95 Mustang to 9.96 seconds at a pass speed of 132.94. This wasn't just a new national Coyote Stock record, but also the first time that the 10-second barrier was breached.
It was an insane performance as Paultanis easily became the man to beat in the class. He followed it up with nine-second passes in every qualifying session, and eventually managed to break his own record by posting a pass time of 9.920 seconds at 136 mph.
Challenge To The Top
Nonetheless, Paultanis’ path to drag glory wasn’t without heavy challenges. In Round 1, he smoked Torrey Browne 10.02 seconds to 10.39 seconds. After getting a bye in Round 2, Paultanis faced Drew Lyons in the semi-finals. Despite facing a .010 to .108 holeshot disadvantage, Paultanis prevailed over Lyons (10.08 to 10.18).
In the finals, Paultanis faced off against the second place in the qualifier, Kevin McMullin. McMullin also had a spectacular run in the qualifying, posting a best time of 10.003 seconds at 132.79 mph. Although McMullin gained a holeshot advantage, Paultanis managed to complete the final pass in 10.09 seconds at 131 mph. McMullin posted 10.16 seconds at 130.73 mph.
And The Winners Are…
Other winners of the Holley NMRA Drag Racing Series at Bradenton Motorsports Park include Dom DiDonato (VP Racing Madditives Street Outlaw), Jason Spina (Edelbrock Renegade), Bill Putnam (JDM Engineering Limited Street), Jason Henson (Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle) and Larry Firestone (ROUSH Performance Super Stang) as well as Steve Trombley (Ford Performance Cobra Jet Showdown).
Ford Nationals will head to Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Georgia, on April 2 to 5 for the NMRA NMCA All-Star Nationals. See you there!
Source: Ford Performance, NMRA