Don Lamana
Limted Drag Radial had some great racing with Daniel Pharris earing top qualifier and scoring two 4.219 runs in rounds two and three making his a threat to any in the other lane in these tough conditions. It was Martin who had low ET in round two with a 4.16 and Gargus right behind with a 4.17. Round three saw Martin and Gargus improve with Martin advancing then running a phenomenal 4.09 in the semi on the hunt to take out Pharris who scored a 4.16 to show he was game for a fight.Number two qualifier Justin “Red” Martin took the win in Limited Drag Radial against number one qualifier Daniel Pharris after earning critical lane choice on his semi final single, a record setting 4.09 at 189 MPH “Out most critical round of the day was probably round three against Paul Gargus. We needed to know that we need to able to go fast in the final against Daniel and that really helped us to figure out what we needed to do. We used that to let it eat in the semi final bye running a 4.09 at 189 MPH for the record. We came down here Wednesday, had an engine that was tore apart, no rods or pistons in it. My engine builder Pete Harrell brought all the parts down here and we assembled it on Wednesday, qualified number two, set the record, won the race, I have no idea what else to say.” Justin Martin Sponsors on the car include Motion Raceworks, Professional Auto Care, M&M Transmissions, Garrett turbos, Harrell Engine and Dyno, Menscer Motorsports, Cameron’s Torque Converters, VP Racing Fuels and Mac Fab Beadlocks.
Outlaw 632 saw a lot of work for the racers, some fan excitement and great racing with Jim Aldous earning top qualifier before suffering engine damage and hurting his chances to advance in the later rounds. Vinny Lorosa and the crew got the Duster all fixed up after his giant wheel stand in qualifying, he would make it far as round three before taking a loss to Matt Salminen after spinning the tires in a small wheelie. Second qualifier Mike Stavrinos also hurt the engine some and limped it home with some luck and a few 4.40’s. Aldous was hurt bad in the semi final and was hoping for a red light by JD Campbell but that was not to be. The two south Florida based racers Matt Salminen and Mike Stavrinos paired off with Salminen leaving first but was outrun with a 4.40 at 162 to his 4.46 at 168 setting up the final. Stavrinos scored the holeshot .039 reaction and ran out the back with a 4.47 at 157 to earn the win over Campbell’s gorgeous small tire 68 Camaro. “We struggled throughout the day but fought as a team to patch it up and keep her together for five rounds to win this thing. We have a PRD 632 with crew from Jose, Oscar, car owner Anthony Masiello, crew chief Jason Green and Cami, and. sponsored by Speed and Truck World. I can’t complain a bit it’s been an awesome weekend.” – Mike Stavrinos.
Top Ultra Street qualifier Rodney Ragen made his way through a tough field to face off with Joel Greathouse in an all KBX final featuring the top two qualifiers. Ragen and Greathouse traded low ET back and forth through eliminations with Greathouse pulling the spade 4.700 on a semi final single to earn lane choice in the final. There debate over changing the tune up for Ragen as threats of rain and very light sprinkle was upon us but the call was made to “let it eat” and both cars pulled to the line. It was over quick as Greathouse went .002 red but both races charged hard for the finish, focused in the moment. Ragen scored a 4.703 at 156 to earn the win over the quicker Greathouse who nabbed low ET of eliminations 4.690 at 151 MPH. “ They really had the car moving today, John Kolivas and KBX did a wonderful job, I am very proud of them. The semi final with Coulter was our most critical round, he is a tough competitor and we needed to stick it hard to prepare for the final and were rushed because of the weather coming.” – Rodney Ragen.