Todd Howard

Words and photos by Greg Burrow

Even in the hottest days of August, the fans show up to see who can get the next Big Dog trophy at Piedmont Dragway in Greensboro, NC. August 4th was no exception as a tremendous crowd showed up to see the next installment of the Shootout that has become a mainstay in doorslammer racing in the South.

All the players were there as Todd Tutterow was low qualifier at a 4.046 with Edward Wilson close behind at 4.047. Back in fifth was the other Todd, Howard, that is, in the Jerry Williams nitrous assisted Mustang at a 4.079.

Where were the 3-second passes that have become the norm? Thank Mother Nature and the heat and humidity on this Carolina summer night.  Behind Todd Howard were Andy Beal, Matt Giangrande, and Buzz Varner, in the ageless Don Plemmons Corvette at 4.15.

The other cars in the field were Joe Lepone, in the new Jim Teachman Camaro, Bubba Turner, Danny Perry, and Brian Teachman in his dad’s old car, the Gotham City ’57 Chevy.

Eliminations were full of surprises as Wilson broke, giving his place to Lepone, and Perry got in when Beal broke and couldn’t make the first round call.

Howard started his march to the front at the expense of Ronnie Gardner 4.02 to a 4.32.

Giangrande put Lepone on the trailer, 4.09 to a 4.16. Jason Harris sent Danny Perry home with a 4.05 to Danny’s let off 5.51 at only 87 mph.