Things start getting F.A.S.T. this week at US 131 Motorsports Park where the nation’s top performing, stock-appearing muscle cars will ride “other era” bias ply tires to 9.40 second times at finish line speeds exceeding 140 miles per hour during the first of six races in the 2024 Factory Appearing Stock Tire racing series.

The increasingly popular series shines a spotlight on cars built in the U.S. and Canada that appear showroom stock in body, interior, engine and all external components including wheels, manifolds and 1960s’ style tires.

Among the favorites will be Jordan Pennington, the 33-year-old out of Mishawaka, IN, who last year drove his 1967 L88 Corvette to the quickest time in F.A.S.T. series history at 9.102 seconds at Cecil County, MD, and who, before switching to the Corvette, wrestled his venerable bright orange 1969 ZL1 Camaro down the US 131 quarter mile in 9.507 seconds at 143.72 mph. in 2022.

Pennington is part of a close-knit family of F.A.S.T. racers that includes mom Julie, whom he defeated to win class at last year’s NMRA/NMCA Powerfest at US 131, and dad Terry, also a member of the series’ 9-Second Club.

In addition to the Fast class in which F.A.S.T. co-founder Dave Dudek of St. Clair Shores and his 1971 Plymouth hemi Barracuda compete against the Penningtons, champions also will be crowned in Factory Stock and in Modern Muscle, the latter a category exclusive to “The Fastest Track in Michigan” that allows the use of drag radial tires and is open to any factory-appearing muscle car from 1980 to the present.

After qualifying, the quick eight in each category run for the championship while everyone else reverts to an old-fashioned best-of-three match race format against the driver closest in qualifying performance.

Gates open at 9 am on Friday and Saturday, on the track from 10 am-5 pm. Adult admission is $20 per day or $30 for a two-day pass. Children 12 and under are free. On Friday night there is an Open Test & Tune from 5 pm-10 pm. Tech cards are $35, adults $12, children ages 6-12 are $5, under six are free.

-www.us131msp.com-