OFAA Raises $3,500 for Joplin Schools

Words and photos by Chris Graves

The Painless Performance Outlaw Fuel Altered Association invaded Mo-Kan Dragway in Asbury, Missouri just a few miles north west of Joplin, to headline the Labor Day Classic for the eighth consecutive year.  The fans at Mo-Kan anticipate the return of the OFAA series all summer and have shown tremendous support for many years.  This year, the series wanted to give something back to the Joplin community after the devastating tornado that hit in May. 

Final Qualifying Order:

1) Brad Rigler (Heath, Texas) – 4.01 @ 173
2) Chris Trussell (Canton, Texas) – 4.074 @ 170
3) Jimmy Jones (Dallas, Texas) – 4.076 @ 175
4) Terry Brian (New London, Texas) – 4.13 @ 163
5) Howard Knowles (Carthage, Missouri) – 4.212 @ 152
6) David Purifoy (Texarkana, Texas) – 4.214 @ 167
7) Bobby Marriott (Pilot Point, Texas) – 4.24 @ 164
8) Anthony Whitfield (Elk City, Kansas) – 4.28 @ 162
9) Aaron Leyda (Bartlesville, Oklahoma) – 4.30 @ 163
10) John Broussard (Lake Charles, Louisiana) – 4.39 @ 162
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11) DoDad Burton (Tyler, Texas) – 4.41 @ 162
12) Mark Bowman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) – 4.46 @ 161
13) Craig Donnelly (Kansas City, Missouri) – 4.58 @ 150
14) Raymond Dawson (Nevada, Texas) – 5.29 @ 150
15) Mary Reep (Austin, Texas) – 5.34 @  73
16) Jim Overly (Oyster Creek, Texas) – 7.42 @ 118

Through the contributions of OFAA members, fans and staff at Mo-Kan Dragway  and efforts of Brad Rigler & Kay Wright of team “Toxic”, Bobbi Joe of team “Grim Reeper”, Paulette of team “Free Spirit” and Suz from team “Shockwave” a combined total of $3,500 was raised to donate directly to the Bright Futures Relief Fund which supplies local students with the materials they need to succeed in the classroom.  It was a sight that brought tears to the eyes of those closely affected by the tornado and big thanks goes out to all that were involved in the fund raising effort, which succeeded beyond expectations.

Sixteen teams were on hand to entertain the capacity crowd including the season debut of Mark Bowman’s “Blown Income”, McDonald & Donnelly’s “Booze Brothers” and Jim Overly’s “Fuelish Habit”.  Rookie Terry Brian and the “II N’Tense” team came into the event leading the points over Jimmy Jones and Bobby Marriott.  This was the first of a five race swing spanning over an eight week period.  Consistency, durability and determination are key for those hoping to wear the Championship crown in 2011 and earn the biggest piece of pie in the Painless Performance Products year end points payout. 

Mo-Kan is a special two day event, featuring two qualifying sessions on Saturday night and a 10 car field on Sunday afternoon with the four quickest winners advancing to a true elimination semi-final and final round.  With air temperatures in the 100s throughout Saturday, conditions were tricky as the cars made their way to the lanes.