The 30th Annual NMRA Spring Break Shootout and Saturday Thrill Festival unfolded at Gainesville Raceway in Florida from February 22-25, 2024, attracting a record-breaking crowd. The event, featuring various attractions such as drag racing, monster truck showcases, and freestyle motocross stunts, marked the first NMRA event at the Gainesville Raceway, coinciding with the celebration of 60 years of the Mustang.

NMRA President and CEO Steve Wolcott expressed enthusiasm over the event’s reception, which was the first time at Gainesville Raceway. 

“Our whole team was enthusiastic coming into this event at Gainesville Raceway. When we saw how excited our racers and race fans were, too, it just added to the adrenaline and set the tone for the weekend,” said Steve Wolcott, president and CEO of NMRA and NMCA. “The fan experience was exceptional, and there was so much for them to see and do. It was a great show, and we look forward to building upon this.”

In the VP Racing Lubricants Renegade category, Kelly Shotwell’s impressive performance in qualifying set the pace, but NMRA legend Robert Cook clinched the victory, demonstrating resilience in the face of formidable competition.

Reigning Vengeance Clutch Coyote Stock champion Ed Bennett showcased his prowess with a strong performance throughout the event, only to be edged out by Charlie Booze Jr. in a closely contested final round of eliminations.

Mike Bowen’s pursuit of another championship in the Richmond Gear Factory Stock category was evident as he dominated both qualifying and the final round of eliminations, securing a well-deserved victory.

The SunCoast Performance 8.60 Street Race witnessed intense competition, with Gavin Black emerging victorious in the final round of eliminations after a closely-fought battle against Paul Sienkiewicz.
The debut of the Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts Street Bandit 10.10 class added further excitement to the event, with David Smith clinching the top spot in qualifying and Mike Winters ultimately seizing victory in a tightly contested final round.

The Truck & SUV class, formerly Truck & Lightning, welcomed a competitive field of racers. Gregory Collins emerged triumphant in the final round of eliminations against Mike Roup.

In ARP Open Comp, Taylor Dietsch emerged victorious in a hard-fought final round, showcasing skill and precision on the track.
The Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle category saw Charlie McCulloch emerge victorious in the final round, demonstrating consistency and composure under pressure.

Chris Parisi’s stellar performance in HP Tuners Super Stang culminated in a well-deserved victory in the final round of eliminations.
Bill Worstell’s victory in CJ Pony Parts Ford Muscle underscored his skill and determination on the track, clinching the win in a tightly contested final round.

Circle D Specialties True Street showcased a diverse array of Ford vehicles, with Chris Welch emerging as the overall winner after a spirited competition.

The BBK Performance Spring Break Shootout featured intense competition, with Willie Lujan emerging as the victor after an impressive display of skill and precision on the track.

Rebecca Starkey’s impressive achievements in VMP Performance’s S650 Mustang Stampede further solidified her reputation as a formidable competitor in the racing community.

TREMEC All-Female True Street showcased the talent and skill of female racers, with Deneen Segura emerging as the overall winner after a fiercely contested competition.

The TREMEC Stick Shift Shootout witnessed Jeff Smith’s victory in a thrilling final round, highlighting the skill and precision required in manual shifting competitions.

The 2020+ GT500 Shootout presented by Coastal Dyno saw Kyle Cox emerge victorious in the Unlimited class, while Dylan Royer secured victory in the Street class, showcasing their prowess behind the wheel.
Bracket races added a layer of excitement to the event, with notable victories for Brendon Gregory, Chris Graff, and David Mormann in Brackets 1-3, respectively.

Rollie Miller, General Manager and National Event Director for NMRA and 
NMCA praised the caliber of racers and their dedication to the sport.

“The NMRA has some of the best racers in the country,” Miller said. “To witness our first event of the year and see how passionate they are about their cars and competition is what makes them stand out in the world of motorsports. Their performances at this event demonstrate their dedication and their desire to win.”
 
A double dose of fun and fast cars is next on the calendar when the NMRA joins its sister series, NMCA, for the 16th Annual NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals presented by Sipple’s Speed & Performance, April 11-14, 2024, at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina.​