McSwain Scores First OFAA Win

OFAA at Denton, Texas

Words and photos by Chris Graves

Independence Day is a time to celebrate freedoms, and to honor those who have and are serving to protect them. It’s a time to enjoy with friends and family, to be grateful for what you’ve got, and oh yeah, burn nitro! 

The Royal Purple Outlaw Fuel Altereds headlined the two day celebration at North Star Dragway in Denton, Texas.  Fifteen fuel altereds were on hand along with the Outlaw Top Gas Motorcycle Series, Texas True Ten Five, Dave Gallegos’ “Nitro Clown” fuel funny car, John Hale’s 1969 Nostalgia Funny Car, Kebin Kinsley’s NHRA Division 4 Top Alcohol Funny car and Gene Snow’s NHRA A/Fuel Dragster wheeled by Chase Copeland.  Needless to say, there was plenty of nitro to go around in the pits this weekend.   Documenting it all on film, Speed Scene Live’s Scott Hudson and Diana Mite were in the house covering the event for their weekly online drag racing show, broadcasted every Tuesday evening at www.speedsceneracing.com.  With only a few spots left in the OFAA 3 Second Club and the season reaching it’s halfway point, the heat was on as teams set up to battle for those precious points under a steamy summer afternoon in North Texas. 

Brad Rigler made his first appearance of the season in the always strong “Toxic” machine after having issues in testing but bounced back in fine style during Friday night’s “Low ET Bonus Round” put on by North Star Dragway.  This was an optional exhibition with a $500 bounty on the quickest elapsed time of the round and Brad Rigler took it home with a stout 4.06 pass.   Mary Reep clicked off a 4.03 on Friday night but took out the top end cones in a wild ride that had the crowd on their feet.  Also on Friday, Tim Hay went 4.24 from centerline to guardrail in the “High Voltage Hayride” and David Purifoy clicked off a few strong laps along with Terry Anglin.    

Bobby Marriott has advanced to the first three straight finals of the season claiming two wins and currently leads the points over Nick Poloson and Donny McSwain.  Denton has provided some huge numbers from numerous teams in the past but with unfavorable weather conditions via a 4,000 foot corrected altitude reading and a 103 degree air temperature prior to the first qualifying session, tonight appeared to no one’s advantage with regard to tuning conditions.