BRODIX Legendary 64 Shootout

Larry Chapman

Another Ronnie Roberts Racing entry, the Thunderbird driven by Larry Chapman, of Willow Springs, N.C., graced the winner's circle Saturday night. With no buybacks, a limited field of 64 cars vied for the $4,000 top prize, plus a $1,000 gift certificate from Brodix. Chapman earned his way into the finals with an .014 to .035 starting line advantage over West Virginia's Mike Daymude, using a 5.389 (5.36) to slip inside of a 5.424 (5.40). Roseboro, N.C.'s Arnold Smith likewise treed Eric Thomas, .022 to .044. He denied Thomas's dead-on 5.536 with a perfectly dead-on 6.760 of his own.

In the finals, Chapman rendered Smith mathematically ineligible at the start with a strong .020-backed dead-on 5.361. Smith left with an .030, and narrowly broke out, 6.749 (6.75).  Chapman proudly sported his new Brodix hat and t-shirt, and thanked Ronnie Roberts Racing for the opportunity to drive for the team.

"If not for Ronnie, I couldn't be doing this. He's a big help to racing around here," said Chapman. "I've been in twelve finals this year, but this was only the second win. I was hoping to do it, and set my mind to it. It felt good! The car stuck all day. It could have run dead-on at any time. I like the shootout. It was tough! Your adrenaline pumps more, with no buybacks. Thanks to Anthony and Michael for a real good race. We enjoyed it, and we'll be back. Thanks to the whole Roberts family, Danny Moon, Performance Specialties, and my wife for putting up with me!"

As a side note, Arnold Smith was also the recipient of the Phillips Auto Body Best Appearing award for his "Natural High" Nova, famously once owned by N.C. Drag Racing Hall of Famer Steve Taylor. The Nova sustained severe tornado damage in 2011, turned over on its roof. The reconstruction had been completed just three weeks prior to the event, and painted by Ronnie Crews. The Redline Speed Shop Best Engineered award along with a $100 Gift Certificate was presented to Michigan's Steve Higel for his impressive '65 Mustang.