Entering the semi-final round at the Texas Motorplex, Willie Brainerd still hadn’t been beat in the 2011 racing season, a streak Mike Wheeler hoped to end as they laid down side by side burnouts to kick off the final four.  Wheeler was obviously pumped up and that anticipation got the best of him on the line when he went red by -.041 handing Brainerd the win.  To make it worse, Wheeler blasted to a near perfect 7.65 at 185 mph which would have taken the win over Brainerd’s break out 7.46 at 147 mph.  But Wheeler’s foul was both first, and worst, which advanced Brainerd to his third straight final round in Texas Blown Fuel competition, still undefeated.

In the next pair, Steve Matthews lined up with Rich Witko in a great side by side drag race.  Matthews was on his game on the tree with a .046 light to Witko’s .281.  Matthews continued to pull ahead but Witko was right on his heels as they neared the quarter mile.  Matthews lit the boards with a winning 7.62 at 156 mph to Witko’s 7.80 at 137 mph and advanced to his first T.B.F.A. final round against red hot Willie Brainerd.