Hooked Up!

Words by Angel Miles
Photos by Chip Bralley 

In the days leading up to August 13 and 14, Carolina Dragway seemed to have a buzz about it that just couldn't be stopped. When the gates opened for Thursday night test and tune the fans quickly realized the days to follow were going to be historical. There were already five cars on the grounds, one even from the Dominican Republic.

Friday afternoon the gates opened to find the baddest converter-driven Pro Mods in the country waiting to get a shot at the House of Hook. Testing began at 6 p.m. with only a few cars making hits. Everyone seemed to be waiting on the others to see how good the traction really was in the high track temps.

Robbie Matthews and Danny Blankenship broke the ice, and then along came the “Blade Runner” (above) owned by Terry and Terri Green. Driver Troy Jordan laid down two patches of nice hot rubber and set the Alan Pittman-built Camaro in the lights. When the amber lights flashed it only took a few seconds to realize this was going to be a fast race. 3.92 seconds to be exact at 184 mph. The Blade Runner team had just reset the World Record for a powerglide-equipped race car. With an astounding .930 sixty-foot time, transmisson builder Victor Reitzel proved he has found some secrets to make the glides hold up. However this was qualifying; could Jordan back up the record when it counted?

At 9 p.m. the staging lanes were 17 cars deep ready for qualifying. Robert Mathis and Kenny Kneece set the tone as Mathis recorded a 4.03 second lap to kick things off officially. Tommy Mauney rolled to the line next and laid down a pass of 3.974/186 mph to take the top spot.

The “Hog Farmer” Dewayne Silance had never visited the 3-second zone, after being so close many times, but not to be outdone he cranked out a career best 3.976/181 pass. After Silance’s crew finished their starting line celebration, New Yorker Chris Rini in the ATI Transmisson-sponsored Dodge Stratus delivered a 4.01/183 mph pass and things were getting tight at the top of the qualifying sheet.

The next thing you hear is the whine from a strong running supercharger. Troy Jordan rolled in the water and everyone in the house was on their feet just waiting to see if the previous run was a fluke. The fans didn't have long to wait as Jordan delivered the goods in fine fashion with a 3.938/184-mph run to back up his previous 3.92 to prove he is worthy of the Worlds Fastest Powerglide Pro Mod. Every fan in the grand stands roared their approval.

Danny Blankenship and Mike Hill rounded out qualifying with a couple of nice low 4.0 passes.