JR CARR REPEATS AS BRAINERD MMPS WINNER IN A RJ RACE CAR

For two seasons now, JR Carr has been the zookeeper of the Mountain Motor Pro Stockers [MMPS] at the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd. Carr, in a rematch of the 2021 event, stopped John DeFlorian, who was shut off on the starting line due to a leak coming from his Camaro.

There are no ugly wins," Carr declared. "I hated this run by ourselves, but it happens, I guess."

Carr entered eliminations as the No. 1 qualifier with a 6.305 elapsed time. He remained in the low-to-mid 6.30s in sopping Bill Neri and Elijah Morton.

Like last year, Carr established himself as the one to beat all weekend. However, the former 500-inch Pro Stock racer turned fan of the large displacement format didn't run in the 6.20s as he did in 2021.

"The barometer's down this year, so we don't run as good as normal," Carr explained. "We ran well with the 6.27, but we had a little bit more barometer last year. This year our best was the thirties. So, of course, it was a little warmer too, but the surface is good."

Carr said it's the overall atmosphere of Brainerd International Raceway that makes this a favorite stop on the tour. The MMPS cars have two more stops in the 2022 season.

"It's just a fun atmosphere," Carr explained. "The zoo and all the fans just love these mountain motor cars, and that makes it a lot of fun. Every time you come by the stands, qualifying or whatever, they loved it and let you know it too."

Carr's transition from the dog-eat-dog NHRA Pro Stock world to the more part-time friendly MMPS division has been a blessing in disguise. As he sees it, it's a working man's Pro Stock.

"There are fewer races and less R and D," Carr said. "We still do; everybody does some, but not to the level those guys do. They never stop, and they can't. And over here, we don't do as much as they do. You don't have to do any, especially racing the eighth mile. You can take an old, ten-year-old motor and be fast, and there's several guys that have done it. So it's just an easier schedule."

The fun factor? It's a different ballgame, for sure.

"A handful of a car to drive and fun too," Carr added. "The NHRA guys, they're really technical. Every little detail, 50 RPM, could be the difference on a shift point of not qualifying. Over here, you can be within 50 or better, and a lot of times I am, but if you miss one by a hundred or 150, they got so much torque, it really doesn't mean the end of the world. So I guess just a bigger window and a little bit more fun to drive.

"Every one of these guys goes back to work on Monday. And that helps keep us all in check too. We don't work on these cars all week long or work on the motors. We do what we have to do, but they can sit for 30 days and set them up and go to the race. You don't have to do it.

"Then when our expenses are totaled; they're down to where it's the cheapest pro class that you can run. And that says something."

And so does back-to-back wins on a budget; that says a lot.