NTNT SEASON 2 Mid-Season Weekly Jam

It's been an exciting season so far for the second time around in NTNT! With weekly attendance soaring, great racing, and great freestyle, each member of the league has stepped their game up every race to ensure that everyone has fun and competition is still at an all-time high. With the season exactly halfway over as of the Minny MJ November 29 race, these are the 9 drivers that would make it into the field of trucks for World Finals 2 in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina:

1. Robby Haught (Skitso 5)

2. Landon Harrison (Mechanical Stimulation)

3. Jeremy Waring (Bounty Hunter 2003)

4. Robbie Milburn (Rare Breed)

5. Bill Haught (Maximum Destruction)

6. Matt Stewart (Nevermore)

7t. James Hannon (Art of War)

7t. Alex Weber (Juggernaut)

9. Scott Bergman (Grave Digger 17)

With a field of trucks like that, it would stand to be a GREAT World Finals, but keep in mind, the season is only halfway over and everyone still has a shot to make it in. In addition, the smaller brother of NTNT, the NTNT Super Nationals, is running every week to determine 3 more spots for NTNT World Finals 2 for a total of 12 trucks in the big event.

NTNT decided to catch up to a few drivers and ask them about the season so far instead of boring recaps of races so far. First was Robby Haught, the current NTNT Overall, Racing, and Freestyle points leader:

Robby makes his way to the starting line at ProDRO World Finals 3.

NTNT-Robby, how has the season gone for you so far, individually, and as the owner of the NTNT and co-owner of NTNT Super Nationals?

Robby-Individually it's been my best season ever by far. I never expected to be in the lead in Racing points, but Slick's had to have a sub for a few events and I've taken advantage of that. He is the best racer in this game to me, period, and to have beaten him straight up twice this year has made it a great year for me right there. I just feel like I've been in a great rhythm all season and things have gone my way. Slick will definitely make me sweat to keep the lead though, you can believe that!

As the owner of NTNT and co-owner of Super Nationals, I couldn't be more happy with how things have gone! To have nearly THIRTY people show up for most NTNT events and the great attendance in Super Nationals...that means a lot to me. Every time someone tells me that my leagues are the best or that I do a great job it makes it worth the hours I put into everything to insure that this is a fair, fun, competitive league. Thanks everyone!

NTNT-We understand that you are doing research and development and letting someone else drive Skitso 4 in Super Nationals. How is that going so far?

Robby-Great! I love having the chance to just help out with Super Nationals and focus on making sure the games flow well. Robbie Milburn did a great job in Skitso 4 for me and he's had some school commitments come up, so he handed the wheel over to Josh Rhodes, and I'm confident that Dig will get just as wild in it as I would. The research and development is for a lot of future projects I'm planning on doing...there could be more trucks on the way, or even more!

NTNT-What will we see on the World Finals 2 track?

Robby-I'd tell you, but then I'd have to...ah, never mind *laughs*. I learned a lot from the first track, and I plan on incorporating a lot less lag. Bottom line is that it'll be a step up from any other track I've constructed.

Next NTNT headed over to Landon Harrison's trailer. Landon sits second in Overall points right now.

Landon walks Mechanical Stimulation over a bus pyramid at RMJS World Finals 1.

NTNT-How have you felt about your season so far?
Landon-So far, we've have a blast. The truck has been holding together real well, and the team does a great job to get me ready from race to race, round to round. We've had a few downs, but are running consistently and staying near the top of the points.

NTNT-What will it take to come back from the deficit you're at to Skitso 5 in points right now? Robby has said that you're a better racer but you've been absent the past couple of weeks and he's really started stretching the lead out.
Landon-He's pretty far out there right now, but we'll give it everything we've got to win races and freestyles. He'll fall flat on his face a time or two, and we'll be right there to take command *laughs*.

NTNT-We saw you in Sudden Impact and MoonShiner last season. Why the change to Mechanical Stimulation for this season, and how happy are you with how it's performing?
Landon-The short time that I had before entering NTNT did not allow me to build a brand new truck. I thrashed on one of my older chassis and put a temporary body on it. This season, we've built a brand new chassis, and have a brand new 2004 Silverado body to go along with it. As you can see, we also have bead locks on the wheels as well due to the amazing height we get in these trucks. So far, the truck has been handling superbly without any major problems. Fans know when Mechanical Stimulation is on the line with our huge Chevy power plant.

NTNT-You mentioned the preparation it takes to go into a season in a league like NTNT. Now that you are headed towards completing your first full season, what can we expect to see out of you in the second half of the season, and in NTNT World Finals 2?
Landon-We are gonna light the fuse on this bad boy and go full boar towards World Finals time. Changes also are happening within the team. Harrison Widelitz unfortunately had to step down of Hammer 3, and Coty Saucier has taken his place for now. Jimmy Hannon has also got seat time and has taken Art of War to new extremes. There are some good tracks left on the schedule, and we all plan to take advantage of it and grab some wins.

NTNT-Ah yes, the team you guys run...we never did catch a name for it...
Landon-We don't have one ;-).

NTNT-Well, it's certainly made up of the great ProDRO veterans. What similarities do you see between this league and ProDRO in its heyday?
Landon-Good ol' white knuckle racing. There is also a lot less of the mass-membered teams to dominate the circuit. Back in ProDRO, mass-membered teams dominated the roster and the points. Today, you see more individuals making names for themselves and putting their trucks on top. 

NTNT-That's what it's all about. Thanks for taking time out to talk with us, Landon, and good luck in the second half. Anything else you'd like to add?
Landon-Nope.

Next we found IMTR owner and captain, Alex Weber, working on Juggernaut. Alex and teammate Matt Stewart are in position for World Finals 2 at this point in the season.

Alex puts Juggernaut through its paces in freestyle at Minneapolis.

NTNT-Alex, you had a rough start to the season but you've been coming on strong lately. That's seemed to coincide with you switching from Savage to Juggernaut. What was the reason for the change, and what did you learn to make the big points jump you have?
Alex-Well actually, switching trucks had little effect on anything; it is really the same truck, just a different body, newer, better suspension, and a new engine. I hit a bump in the road and had a couple of weeks of bad luck. I always run the truck 110% but sometimes too much is too much.

NTNT-So you've scaled some things back and maybe finessed truck a little more?
Alex- Well, I did change the steering a little bit, but that's about it, I still give it my all. I run my truck hard. I always have, but I don't tear it up doing so.

NTNT-You've led the charge so far for Team IMTR, but Matt Stewart has surprised pretty much everyone in his rookie season, and you signed him early on to be a part of your team. How good has he been for you guys so far?
Alex-Matt's a good guy. He runs his truck just as hard as I do mine, and he caught my attention pretty quickly.

NTNT-What about him has stood out to you the most?
Alex-Well, his ability to run the track is what first caught my attention, Part of it is knowing how to setup the gears and tread and all that, but also he doesn't get angry like some people do when they don't win a heat and start going on a rampage about it. He always has a good attitude and has fun, and that's what we're all about

NTNT-That's what NTNT's all about too. What plans do you have for your team assuming you and some of your teammates make the field for NTNT World Finals 2?
Alex-Well, that's a very good question. I just encourage my teammates to do their best. Some people with a position of authority in a team slap people around and try to force them to do better than another team. That's stupid and nobody ever gets anywhere running things like that. If somebody has a bad night or maybe thinks they got a lower freestyle score than they think they should have, hey, it happens, don't worry about it. It has happened and will continue to happen to me over time too. If they make it, great. If they don't, they tried and that's what matters.
Some people may say "He/she races for me on my team" IMTR guys race WITH me on OUR team.

NTNT-Very good point you make there. What do you think will happen at NTNT World Finals 2 if Juggernaut and Nevermore are in the field?
Alex-I know what will happen...we will try our best. Even if nobody from IMTR comes out a winner of part of the event, I say we're all winners just for being there amongst the best of the best. Just being in the event itself is a notable accomplishment.

NTNT-Indeed it is. Best of luck to you and your team for the rest of the season, Alex. Thanks for talking with us.
Alex- You're welcome.

Next on the list was Jeremy Murphy, driver of the Python Ford.

Jeremy flies across the cars during racing at Psyco Dome.

NTNT-Jeremy, you find yourself right on the verge of being invited to Kill Devil Hills for World Finals 2. Do you plan on changing anything at all heading into the second half of the season?
Jeremy-Just play it cool in racing. Sometimes I get too excited (even during qualifying) and it just causes a lot of problems. As for freestyle, I'll just stick to my normal stuff and try to improve as the season continues.

NTNT-Are there any plans for a Python 2 in the near future, or are you happy with your current truck?
Jeremy-There are no plans now. The current truck is perfect. It sits low to the ground so it turns good and I love it for freestyle. 

NTNT-Racing-wise, what do you plan on doing different to gain more points in the second half of the season?
Jeremy-Work on the turning. The truck is great for turning. I also wanna go from automatic to manual transmission for racing. I also just plan to work on everything. The truck has it all; I just need to catch up to the truck.

NTNT-Fair enough. Last question...what can we expect to see out of Python if you make the World Finals?
Jeremy-It's hard to say. We all come up with an "attack plan" but once you're on the clock it really goes out the window and you just go where the truck takes you. You can count on one of my revese moves in freestyle though; that's for sure!

NTNT-We'll look forward to that if you make it. Thanks for taking some time out to talk with us, Jeremy.
Jeremy-Anytime.

And finally, NTNT caught up with Dustin Hart, driver of BlackBeard 3, right before the next race.

Dustin slides around a tight turn preparing for his next hit during freestyle at Ford Drag 2003.

NTNT-Dustin, you find yourself just one spot away from being in NTNT World Finals 2 at the season's halfway point. What will you do the second half of the season to insure you make the field?
Dustin-Just improve my racing and stay consistent in Freestyle.

NTNT-What do you think of your season so far? Also, what about overall for the league?
Dustin-I've had a good year; I had some issues at the very beginning of the season with some mechanical problems but it's improved greatly, with me getting two freestyle wins. 
The racing this season has been better than ever; you're never sure who's gonna win every night.

NTNT-What made you switch from Pure Adrenalin to BlackBeard 3?
Dustin-I felt like I needed a better truck for racing. Pure Adrenalin has really been a great truck to me in the past and it's still one of my all time favorites, but it's not quite the best for racing. I built the new BlackBeard 3 with a mix of Skitso 4 and Pure Adrenalin's setups.

NTNT-Interesting. You mentioned wanting to improve on racing. What are you planning on doing during the season's second half to step it up to match your freestyles?
Dustin-Practice, practice, practice. That's sometimes what it takes to do well. I've been testing out different setups and it's helped. Instead of going out in the first round week after week I'm at least advancing rounds now.

NTNT-Last question. What can we expect to see out of BlackBeard 3 should you make the World Finals?
Dustin-One mangled truck that'll need some repairs after Freestyle *laughs*. I plan to go all out this year after problems kept me from freestlying last year.

NTNT-We can't wait to see what'll happen either. Thanks for taking the time out to talk with us, Dustin.
Dustin-No problem.

Now that we've heard from some drivers, we conlcude this special Weekly Jam with some pictures from Pana Monster Jam, the next stop on the NTNT tour that will kick off the second half of Season 2:

We hope to have everyone racing tomorrow at 5 cst, 6 est! Good night!