You want to make a drag racer happy? Inform them that the density altitude is deep into negative territory and watch them light up. Like -1,162 ft. at high noon good. To say that the racers of the Modern Street Hemi Shootout series were excited to see some action at ATCO this weekend was an understatement. Last year the final race of the series got rained out and rainchecks had to be issued out. Dan VanHorn, the guy who organizes the entire deal, was promising killer air and great track prep and he delivered on that promise beautifully. And the racers came out: 130 cars took to the track on race day, with quite a few of that number running a rental test-and-tune the day prior. Personal bests fell, tunes were checked after every run, and with the exception of Johnny “Bottle Rocket” Lewis’s wild ride after his #7 rod knocked a hole through the block of his Challenger, things went smoothly and swiftly.

Now, here I want to point out something: for Brian, Chad and I, it means a great deal for our significant others to support us and tolerate the tomfoolery that is the center of our lives. It’s another altogether for them to get into the work. Knowing full well that once I had the car tech’d in that I’d go straight into driver mode, my wife Haley snatched up the camera and went straight to the starting line to grab photos with little more instruction than, “Please don’t get ran over, and please get a couple shots of the Chrysler.” She could’ve just walked around the pits, snapped a few photos, then have taken off to go get a hot chocolate or something, but she cranked out some photos for you guys. Enjoy!

Click on a photo below to start scrolling through the gallery!