Duck Tape Racing Opens 2009 with Double Semi-Finals

March 13, 2009
Immokalee, Fla. - Despite wintry weather overstaying its welcome not only in the northern states, but also in the Carolinas, Duck Tape Racing has gotten an early start once again. Team driver Michael Beard got the tires turning as early as the beginning of February, at the IHRA Summit Pro-Am Tour season opener in Immokalee, Fla., February 6-8. The three-day weekend consisted of three separate events, including two Pro-Ams and the first of the Champion Systems Sportsman Nationals. Beard started out strong and consistent, marking back-to-back semifinal appearances in the two Pro-Ams. In Sunday's Sportsman National, Beard qualified #2 in Stock in the Duck Tape Volare, a testimony to the formidable combination of all of the team's performance partners, including Mickey Thompson tires, K&N Filters, Bearden Oil Co.'s Sunoco Race Fuels, Joe Gibbs Racing Oil, Sloan Racing Engines, REM'd and Cryo'd components from FinishedRacing.com. The team is also powered by great components, skills, and knowledge base from Bradley Auto Parts/Bumper-To-Bumper, Macy Motorsports, and Billy Nees Race Cars. Power took a backseat in the opening round, however, as an opponent's near perfect run sent Beard homeward. On the bright side, many commuters along a 713 mile stretch along the east coast got to catch a glimpse of the Duck Tape Volare both to and from the race!

Racing was rained out in the second week, but resumed on February 21 at Rockingham Dragway, in Rockingham, N.C. for the two-day Spring Blast event The Volare fell in the second round of competition, as the first hints of mechanical problems arose. Day two rained out, as did the IHRA Div. 9 Pro-Am the following week.

In testing on March 9, the problem finally became clear, as either a rod or rod bearing. The show must go on, however, so Beard's '74 Duster was pressed into service for the TCI Twins event at Rockingham, March 7-8. Although Beard had not driven the Duster in just over a year, it rewarded him with finishes in the fifth round of competition on Saturday, and the fourth round on Sunday.