Semi Finals

Willet got the slight holeshot advantage on Benham but the Firebird didn’t have enough to hold off the pedaling Benham who drove around Willet and registered a 4.51/149.50 win over WIllet’s 4.73/138.33.

The other semi pitted local favorite Smith against Urdiales. Smith was again late on the tree but, despite spotting Urdiales .01 off the line, had more power hooked to the track and made an almost full pull to go 4.39 at 135.99 mph and defeat the 4.87/142.31 posted by Urdiales in the black Camaro.

Finals

The final set up to be a great pairing with two teams getting the handle on combinations that are more than competitive. At the flash of green it was all Smith as Benham apparently didn’t see the tree activate, according to reports, garnering a .9442 RT and Smith again pedaled the Vette down track to take the win with a 4.38 at 151.31mph. Benham recorded a 6.32/72.92 mph in a losing effort.

The win was sweet for the Smith camp and very welcome after the work put in to install the new converter.

“The converter deal has been a long slow process over time with the funds we have,” stated Smith. “This helps.”

So, Chris Smith cashes in on his first Texas Automatic Outlaw event and the drive to the north side of town will be shorter and happier with the trophy and check in hand. 

Greg Green still holds a commanding lead in the overall points standings for the season championship even though he was not at this Houston event. Second in the standings is Gaylon Gradick, also a no-show at this event, who has a deficit of 96 points to make up with three races left in the season.

The next event for the Texas Automatic Outlaws will be back at Houston Motorsports Park on October 8 for another Pro Mod Meltdown event, scheduled to be a 16-car field, that will also feature the Texas Pro Stocks.