Inaugural American Doorslammer Nationals at

Richard Alford Jr.

Fayetteville, NC

Alford takes lion’s share of the purse

Words by Michael Beard
Photos by Dell Purifoy

North Carolina is a well-known hotbed for big money bracket racing and the talent it attracts. One specialty event designed specifically for Top ET or Super Pro door cars competing for a lucrative $20,000 enjoyed a three-year run, but was in danger of extinction. The partners in Loose Rocker Promotions, LLC, Anthony Walton and Michael Beard, recognized the value and popularity of the format, and rebranded the event as the American Doorslammer Nationals, hosted by Fayetteville Motorsports Park, in Fayetteville, N.C., November 2-4.

The $20,000 main event was bookended by two $5,000 races, plus a 64-car limited field shootout. Throw in sponsor prizes and the total weekend paid out in excess of $65,000 in cash and prizes!

Chip Johnson

$5K Warmup

Local racers upheld the honor of their home track in the $5K Warmup on Friday, with the final round featuring three-time IHRA World Champion "The Legend" Chip Johnson from Fayetteville, and 2011 track champion Tim Lucas, of Clinton, N.C. Johnson repeatedly laid down solid packages without any frills, simply forcing his opponents to beat his run or go home.

In the semifinals, Johnson used a significant .012 to .054 holeshot to trailer Rick Whaley's dead-on 5.007 with a 6.306 (6.27 dial-in), while Lucas earned a reprieve from his .051 light when Greg Broadway turned it red with a -.006 foul.

In the finals, Johnson's .027 bulb and a dead-on 6.280 (6.28 dial-in) held off Lucas's close but later .031 light, coupled with a dead-on 6.155.

"I had a couple of .02-.03 lights, but once I figured it out, I was oh's and teen's most of the weekend. I was comfortable," offered Johnson. "I was just staging the car and letting go. It's been like that about two months. I'm comfortable, but on the bad side, I might get cocky and every now and then I turn it double-oh red, but for some reason, ever since Donnie Gibbs put that front end under my car, my lights have just been there. I'm tickled!"

In addition to Gibbs Race Cars, Johnson thanked Mickey Thompson, Rock Batteries, Abruzzi Racing Transmissions & Converters, House of Payne Performance, Amsoil, Staging Light Graphics, Hickman's Performance, DRE Engine Diapers, and his family for their support.