The setting was near perfect as we rolled into Cecil County Dragway’s July 4th Shootout. The sun was bright and with air temperatures in the mid eighties the crowds came out in masses to enjoy the event. A quick walk through the pits would show a great turnout on this holiday weekend. Drag Radial looked as if it would be the class of the day to watch with the largest number of cars. Plenty of new faces showed up as well to compete which is always a good thing. Also as you come to the gates you will be greeted by this lovely lady whom will gladly let you in to enjoy the show.
Once again we have to thank SCT Performance for making all of our great coverage possible. Visit them at
www.sctflash.com for information on their full line of products.
**** For the full event gallery click here****
The early afternoon hours were ticking away as teams made their preparations for the first qualifier that would take place at 2:00pm. One of the first teams I stopped by to see was the Outlaw 10.5 car of Mo Hall. Mo and his guys had pretty much buttoned up everything with ease as Marc Hayes continued his ritual of the “final shine” before heading to the lanes.
Right next door was the Mustang of Chris Evans. Evans has been featured in several articles of ours, as his transformation to a big block with a Procharger moved along. Chris was filling his water and ice tanks, which are routine maintenance on a intercooler application. I was very anxious to get a first hand look at this machine and it surely doesn’t disappoint. The craftsmanship is top notch which was done in house by Matt Butrim.
Another new car to Cecil County was Chris Crusses’ WS6 Trans Am. This another big block powered machine with a huge Procharger out front. This was his first trip to Cecil County this year since selling his old drag radial car last season. As I spoke with Chris he was eager to get down the track as he continues to chase down the tune-up. One thing is for sure, As you hear this one fire up all eyes find its way to Chris’ Pontiac.
The call went out to the pits for the first qualifier to head into the lanes. First up would be 8.50 Index followed by Drag Radial, 7.50 Index and then Outlaw 10.5.
8.50 Index Qualifying Round 1
8.50 Index was a bit low on car count but plenty of tough competition was still on hand. With reigning champion T.J. Kapser on the grounds no one was able to slack up on the tune. As I walked to the track I spoke with Mike Pyott as he prepared to make his run. He was very confident that he had what it was going to take to be the man to beat today. Pyott would be in the first pairing out versus Jeff Moyer. Mike went right to number one with a killer 8.51@161mph. Moyer was off the pace. Following up the end of the session would be T.J Kasper which would place him nimber two for the round with a 8.54@143mph.
Round 1 Qualifying Results
Mike Pyott 8.51 @ 161
Tj Kasper 8.54 @ 143
Mike Thompson 8.6 @ 155
Robb Puller 8.68 @ 157
Al Fonse Jr. 8.71 @ 163
Adam Smith 8.74 @ 155
Daniel Morales 10.11 @ 132
Jeff Moyer 12.29 @ 86
Joe Maddessi 8.42 @ 165
Joe Timinski 8.42 @ 144
Drag Radial Qualifying Round 1
Drag Radial was next into the lanes and there was a buzz of what was to come with 16 great cars in competition. Alex Vrettos and his Corupt Motorsports team were here yesterday testing and went into the 4.70’s in the eighth mile which they hope will give them an advantage in today’s race.
Big Daddy also made the trip back to Cecil and would set the mark to beat in the first round as he posted a 4.85@162mph. No surprise with the number two qualifier as Quentin Methaney took the spot in his Procharged small block Mustang. Crowd favorite Alex Vrettos struck the tires hard at the hit of the throttle and pedaled the car to a 6.05@154mph. Chris Evans failed to make the run while several others were off the pace.
Round 1 Qualifying Results
Dwayne Gutridge 4.85 @ 162
Quentin Methany 5.14 @ 142
Craig Walls 5.43 @ 116
Lewis Jones 5.45 @ 138
Scott Bitzer 5.55 @ 142
Alex Vrettos 6.05 @ 154
Chris Crusse 6.22 @ 135
James Marques 6.28 @ 130
Ev Bernardo 6.29 @ 148
Carmen Damiani 6.43 @ 133
Bill Dutka 6.58 @ 114
Gary Kramer 6.81 @ 120
Randy Lambert 7.46 @ 80
Tony Gomes 8.08 @ 119
Steve Thompson 10.83 @ 53
Chris Evans N/T
7.50 Index Qualifying Round 1
7.50 Index was next up and with the best turnout of cars so far this season it was a great show for the fans with full quarter mile passes. One of the favorites in the class is John Schroeder and he would waste no time showing the rest of the field who the boss is as he runs a dead on 7.50@185mph. Ken Doak was testing his ADRL Xtreme 10.5 car by just getting some runs on the car and competing in 7.50 Index. He would run way under in round one but managed to get down track. His 7.37@214mph would bring the fans to their feet. Schroeder would hold onto the number one spot.
Round 1 qualifying Results
John Schroeder 7.50 @ 185
Lou Thibault 7.86 @ 172
Steve Willingham 8.18 @ 182
Pete Pace 9.09 @ 136
Mike Thomas 10.09 @ 136
Mario Cintron 12.74 @ 69
Ken Doak 7.37 @ 214
Outlaw 10.5 Qualifying Round 1
Last up for round one is the bad boys of Outlaw 10.5 heading to the water box. First pair out would be Mo Hall versus Doug Harris in his twin turbo GTO. Both would make good passes with Hall getting to the stripe first. Hall’s 4.75@167mph would make him low for the round and Harris’ 4.84@156mph would be good enough for number two.
Track champion Joe Newsham would have to lift as he continues to battle problems with the car drifting to the wall but still managed a 5.37@140mph. Dale Collins Jr. would not make the call for this qualifier.
Round 1 Qualifying Results
Mo Hall 4.75 @ 167
Doug Harris 4.84 @ 156
Joe Newsham 5.37 @ 140
Tom Kasper 7.13 @ 103
Mike Bradford 8.87 @ 69
I headed to the pits after round one of qualifying and with many teams struggling to get down track there was sure to be wrenching going on. I caught Big Daddy right after his run as he was simply preparing the car for next round. He was pleased with the run and has more left in it for later in the day.
Chris Crusse had a decent run but was only enough to put him in the number seven spot. He feels he was a bit aggressive on the tune and will try and take a step back to get down the track in the next round.
Mo Hall’s team went to work on the Fulton engine. They are doing routine in between round maintenance on the plugs which will tell them how aggressive they can get in the second qualifier. The Camaro is capable of 4.40’s but it will be a challenge in the heat.
8.50 Index Qualifying Round 2
Round two of qualifying was called to the lanes and 8.50 started things off. It would be a fight and T.J. Kasper ran an amazing 8.50@153mph with the chutes out way early.
This would push Mike Pyott back to the number two position. Al Fonse Jr. bettered his effort with a 8.65@164mph to move up to number five.
Final Qualifying Results
Tj Kasper 0.073 8.50 @ 153
Mike Pyott 8.51 @ 161
Joe Timinski 0.219 8.6 @ 161
Mike Thompson 8.6 @ 155
Al Fonse Jr 0.053 8.65 @ 164
Robb Puller 8.68 @ 157
Adam Smith 8.74 @ 155
Jeff Moyer 1.75 8.96 @ 161
Daniel Morales 10.11 @ 132
Joe Maddessi 8.42 @ 165
Drag Radial Qualifying Round 2
Drag Radial got interesting as the track temperature was over 124 degrees which can lead to excessive wheel spin for the radial tired cars. Methaney who is the number two qualifier comes out first against Bill Dutka in his Monte Carlo.
Methaney blows the tires off and coasts through the traps. Dutka will improve slightly on his previous pass to a 6.51@103mph. Gary Kramer in his Chevelle would be the lone car to make a great run as he posted a 5.09@146mph to move him up to the number two spot.
Chris Crusse and Alex Vrettos had problems this time around. Vrettos lost a transmission and Crusse shows off his drifting skills with a 140mph lane change on the top end. Chris Evans did manage a pass but still fights issues to stay under power. Many of the others managed to better their previous run.
Final Qualifying Results
Dwayne Gutridge 4.85 @ 162
Gary Kramer 5.09 @ 146
Quentin Methany 5.14 @ 142
Craig Walls 5.43 @ 116
Lewis Jones 5.45 @ 138
Scott Bitzer 5.54 @ 142
Randy Lambert 5.73 @ 129
James Marquess 5.73 @ 123
Ev Bernardo 5.77 @ 147
Tony Gomes 5.78 @ 137
Carmen Damiani 5.99 @ 129
Alex Vrettos 6.05 @ 154
Steve Thompson 6.21 @ 125
Chris Crusse 6.22 @ 135
Carmen Damiani 6.43 @ 133
Bill Dutka 6.51 @ 103
Chris Evans 8.25 @ 145
7.50 Index Qualifying Round 2
7.50 Index came through next for their final qualifier. John Schroeder would continue his stellar runs with another 7.56@186mph to hold onto his number one spot.
Marino Cintron would improve but it would not be enough to move up through the ladder. Pete Pace did improve substantially as he made some changes in the setup between rounds. His 7.64@184mph would put him in the number two spot.
Mike Thomas also improved to an 8.76 but still was shaking the tires hard on the run.
Final Qualifying Results
John Schroeder 7.50 @ 185
Pete Pace 7.64 @ 184
Lou Thibault 7.86 @ 172
Steve Willingham 8.18 @ 182
Mike Thomas 8.76 @ 154
Marino Cintron 9.24 @ 115
Ken Doak 7.37 @ 214
Outlaw 10.5 Qualifying Round 2
Outlaw 10.5 was shaping up to have a great as the drivers waited in the lanes while some track cleanup was done. Mo Hall and Joe Newsham were talking back and forth having a good time cutting it up during the wait.
They would roll to the tree together and both improved as Hall and Newsham both carried the wheels. Newsham still had to pedal but managed a 4.91@133mph. Hall’s 4.52@170mph will keep him in number one. Dale Collins Jr is the only other driver to improve his effort but still was having some mechanical issues on his 5.37@102mph pass.
Final Qualifying Results
Mo Hall 4.52 @ 170
Doug Harris 4.84 @ 156
Joe Newsham 4.91 @ 133
Dale Collins Jr. 5.37 @ 102
Tom Kasper 7.13 @ 103
Mike Bradford 8.87 @ 69
Round 1 Eliminations 8.50 Index
With the stages set it was time to do only one thing and that is to see whom will be the winners in each class. Once again 8.50 Index led us off and competitors stepped up their game with killer reaction times and some great racing at the finish line.
First out was Jeff Moyer who was paired up against Mike Pyott. Pyott had the advantage early with Moyer going into a wheel stand. Pyott had him covered and never looked back as he broke out with a 8.42@153mph to Moyer’s winning 8.90@161mph. Al Fonse Jr. picked up and easy win in the next pairing with Joe Timinski rolling the beams. Fonse Jr. ran a 8.64@154mph out the back door.
In the last pairing of the round it was T.J. Kasper taking on Joe Maddessi. Kasper took the starting line advantage .037 to 0.46 and ran 8.55@137mph to take the win. Robb Puller received a bye in this round.
Round 1 Eliminations Drag Radial
Drag Radial was next up with some great pairings and Big Daddy Dwayne Gutridge having the advantage on the field coming out of qualifying. Chris Crusse and Quentin Methaney faced off to get things started. Methaney had transmission troubles and was unable to make a run which allowed Chris to make his best run of the day to this point. His 5.55@137mph would send him to the next round.
Gary Kramer and Bill Dutka faced off next with Kramer having a substantial advantage in performance. Dutka put together a 6.08@116mph but it wasn’t enough to outrun the hard charging Procharged Chevelle of Kramer. He was off the pace but still ran a 5.57@147mph to take the win. Big Daddy got a break in the opening round as he was up against Chris Evans who continues to have troubles. Gutridge blew the tires off and only managed a 5.59@152mph. Craig Walls, Ev Bernardo, Lewis Jones and Scott Bitzer would all advance in this round as well.
Round 1 Eliminations 7.50 Index
In 7.50 it was newcomers Steve Willingham versus Mike Thomas. Thomas had a huge starting line advantage but it was not enough to hold off the 8.01@188mph charge of Steve Willingham.
Pete Pace took on Ken Doak in round one. Doak has a performance advantage but is just testing the car to get a handle on it. Doak overdrove his Chevelle and took out some timing blocks handing the win to Pace. Paces’ 8.04@134mph will advance to the next round.
John Schroeder may as well of had a racing clinic as he ran another 7.50@183mph on a bye run. Lou Thibault also had a bye as Marino Cintron was unable to make the call.
Round 1 Eliminations Outlaw 10.5
With all the excitement that we have seen already it was hard to imagine what could happen in Outlaw 10.5. It did prove to be fairly uneventful with Mo Hall going low for the round with a 4.51@164mph over Mike Bradford.
Joe Newsham took all the power out of the car in search of a fresh baseline for his tune. The twin turbo Mustang left very soft and only mustered a 5.90@96mph.
Tom Kapser who is competing in 10.5 with his sons 8.50 Mustang this weekend would pick up the win Doug Harris rolled the beams as he was building boost which handed the win to Kapser.
One of the few happenings in between rounds was in Joe Newsham’s pits with him applying the chalk to the wheelie bar wheels which helps them track the car as it leaves the line. They will be putting the power back in this coming round and trying to post up a big number.
Round 2 Eliminations 8.50 Index
8.50 was heating up with T.J. Kasper lurking in the lanes and appearing to be on his way to another victory. Jeff Moyer kicked it off against Robb Puller in round two with Puller taking the win. He had the starting line advantage and plenty of power on the big end to outrun Moyer. The 8.63@152mph would put Puller in the final round.
T.J. Kasper faced off against rival Al Fonse Jr. which led to yet another Kasper round win. The 8.53@143mph was plenty enough to take down Fonse Jr.’s 8.63@159. Kasper appears to be unbeatable.
Round 2 Eliminations Drag Radial
Big Daddy Dwayne Gutridge and Ev Bernardo were the first pair out in round two with a close matchup to 330ft. Bernardo had the advantage at the tree but hazed the tires right beside BD but it was Gutridge who recovered first. 5.24@139mph took the win.
Chris Crusse once again improves his performance level against Bitzer. Crusse left on him .068 to .152 but he started to spin at the top end which handed Bitzer the win, 5.35@145mph to 5.47@122mph.
Gary Kramer goes low for the round in his Chevelle over the Grand National of Tony Gomes. Kramer’s 5.09@147mph was just way to much for the little V6 which ran a 5.24@140mph.
Lewis Jones once again gets a bye due to breakage as Craig walls was unable to make it to the line. He ran a easy 6.18@117mph.
Round 2 Eliminations 7.50 Index
The rumble of huge blowers rolled through the water with Pete Pace taking on the beautiful Camaro of Lou Thibault. Pace stepped up his game to run a 7.57@176mph which simply outran the 8.30@168mph of Thibault.
Steve Willingham was on the unfortunate side having to take on Schroeder who has been on rails all day. Yet another 7.54@183 took out Willignham who red lighted.
Round 2 Eliminations Outlaw 10.5
Outlaw 10.5 seen a changing of the guards for the day as Mo Hall got a bye but spun hard at the hit of the throttle and just drifted through the traps. On the other hand Joe Newsham turned up the wick on his J&E Performance Mustang and took the win over Tom Kapser. Kasper made an impressive run with a 5.53@128 but it wasn’t enough to hold off Newshams wheel standing 4.61@162. This was the first real straight pass Newsham has made all day. He will receive lane choice over Hall in the final.
Semi Finals Drag Radial
With 16 cars starting off in drag radial we would have to run the semi-finals before the other classes could run their finals. Gary Kramer took on Scott Bitzer in a nitrous versus supercharger matchup. Kramer took a slight advantage at the tree but Bitzer turned the wick up and ran his best pass of the day in a 5.12@145mph for the win. Kramer had to pedal the car about 300 feet out which slowed him to a 5.67@134mph.
In the other pairing it was Dwayne Gutridge against Lewis Jones. Jones was in a David versus Goliath situation but in this face off Goliath prevailed as Gutridge blistered the track from a to b. His stellar .033 reaction time followed by a 4.79@163mph will give him lane choice over Bitzer in the finals.
Final Round 8.50 Index
The final rounds were set and the crowd was anxious to see the outcome. As 8.50 came to the line I think everyone was awaiting the win from T.J. Kasper but in a upset it was Robb Puller who came out victorious. They left with identical .068 reaction times but Puller would force Kasper to run out with a 8.48@141mph. Puller’s 8.55@158mph was good enough for the win. Congraulations to Robb and his team.
Final Round Drag Radial
Next up was Scott Bitzer and Dwayne Gutridge in the drag radial final. Bitzer had all the candles lit but he struck the tires hard in an attempt to keep up with Gutridge. Gutridge blasts another 4.79@163mph after having a .004 reaction time. Congratulations to the entire Big Daddy Performance Team.
Final Round 7.50 Index
7.50 Index has been the John Schroeder show today with his killer consistent Camaro. Pete Pace would give him the race of the day in the final though. They left nearly together from the starting line and Pace hung side by side with Schroeder to the stripe but it was John who would narrowly edge out the hard charging blown Camaro of Pace. Schroeder’s 7.51@184mph would take the win over Pete’s 7.53@190mph. Congratulations to John on another win in 7.50 Index.
Final Round Outlaw 10.5
Last but not least the Outlaw 10.5 final between Joe Newsham and Mo Hall would take place. Mo had been in the 4.50’s but with Joe getting a handle on the tune he knew he would have to give it all he could. Mo went red at the tree and Joe blasted to a 4.49@168mph on the rear wheels. Congratulations to the entire J&E Performance team on their win.
All in all it was a great day of racing with plenty of action. For a monthly program you will not find this caliber of cars or racing anywhere in the country for the money to get in at the gate. Come out and join the show next month on August 1st.
Linear Mode
