Words and photos by Greg Burrow

September 1 fell on a Thursday and guess what happened?  Yep, it’s Big Dog Shootout time again. This year, all the attention so far has been on the Jerry Williams owned, Todd Howard driven Ford Mustang. Mr. Howard, unless he doesn’t show up in October, will most likely be the 2011champion by virtue of his three wins and consistent finishes.  But I’m getting ahead of myself. 

Qualifying ended up with a surprise entrant, Edward Wilson, in a TM Willys nitrous car, as the No. 1 qualifier at a 3.968. Second was Tutterow, with third going to the other Todd, Howard at a 4.025. Fourth was the Camaro of Darrin Hoyle, with fifth going to last month’s runner up, Matt Giangrande. Sixth was last year’s champ, Danny Perry, seventh to Bobby Baucom, and eighth to Travis Harvey. 

The field ran from a low of 3.968 to 4.080. Due to breakage, the first two alternates made the first round call when Baucom and Perry couldn’t make the call, putting Gilmer Hinshaw and Jason Harris in the field.

First round winners were Todd H. over Jason Harris, Todd T. over Gilmer Hinshaw, Edward Wilson over Travis Harvey, and Darrin Hoyle over Matt Giangrande. Only Tutterow ran in the threes, but Todd Howard ran the big MPH at 188.20.

The semis saw the Al Anabi Camaro of Tutterow defeat Todd Howard with a 3.936 to a 3.989. Darrin Hoyle defeated Edward Wilson 4.02 to a quicker but later 4.01 for Wilson.

The finals were super close with Todd Tutterow leaving on a .088 light going 3.91, for low et of the event to a much quicker leaving .002 of Hoyle with a losing et of 4.11.