The “Grim Reeper” put down another 4.03 pass to get the win over John Broussard and boot Rigler’s final round hopes because only the two quickest winners advance straight to the final round, standard race procedures for the Royal Purple Outlaw Fuel Altered Association.  To advance to the final you must not only win the round, but with one of the two quickest elapsed times. 

Massey’s “Showtime” nitro burner rolled out along side David Purifoy in the Herb Whisnant owned “Thrill Factor.”  Massey fell off his three second pace as he had a hole out at the hit and labored to a 4.17 at 177 mph but still took out Purifoy’s 4.32 at 165 mph.  It appeared that Nick Poloson and Larry Reep had a good shot at squaring off against each other in the final but with two stout cars sitting in the water box, no one could make the call as the final pair of first round came to life.  J.T. Heslink was bound and determined to make his first career final round appearance here at Ben Bruce Raceway but he had to not only beat but outrun Donnie McSwain in the other lane.  No easy task.  Heslink blasted to a career best 4.06 at 177 mph to knock out McSwain who ran into problems with a foggy visor on the starting line and got timed out.  So Heslink was set up to square off against Reep in the finals after a very entertaining round of eliminations.

It was discovered after Heslink’s run that on his 4.06 pass the motor suffered heavy damage to a spark plug chamber in the head and with only seven cylinders firing his hopes of an Outlaw Fuel Altered victory were put on hold.  Being the good sportsman he is; J.T. preferred that the third quickest winner, Nick Poloson, take his place and give the fans a close side by side final.  So the decision was made and Poloson and Reep set up to do battle in the all blown alcohol final.

Reep was making his first trip the last dance while Poloson looked to be the first repeat winner and take the points lead away from Bobby Marriott.  After side by side burnouts the two crept into the beams.  Poloson got off the line with a .469 reaction time to Reep’s .817 and that advantage made the difference at the stripe as Reep’s quicker 4.01 at 176 mph lost to Poloson’s 4.07 at 176 mph. 

Final Round Eliminations:

(W) Nick Poloson (.469 rt) 4.07 at 176 mph vs. (L) Larry Reep (.817 rt) 4.01 at 176 mph

 “The “Sundown” team had a great time at Ben Bruce Raceway in Evadale.  We had three very good runs for our car, including a personal best elapsed time of 4.05.  When we were given the opportunity to run in the final, we had the goal of trying to repeat with one more good pass.  What a final! Both cars run in the four o zone and we were fortunate to get the win on a holeshot!  It's been a dream year for us so far and we are back in the points lead heading into the next event at North Star Dragway,” said Poloson.

With his second win in four completed events, Poloson holds an eight point lead over Marriott in Royal Purple points with Rigler, McSwain and Massey rounding out the top five.  It was a night of career bests for many drivers they continue to step up their level of performance. The Independence Drags at North Star Dragway will be held July 5th in Denton, Texas and expect to see a packed house to enjoy fuel altereds, fireworks and header flames. The Royal Purple Outlaw Fuel Altereds would like to thank Disciple Cycles in Tyler, Texas and Smiley’s Racing Products for their bonus programs.  For more event photos and information, visit www.ofaa.net.