Car fire ends Civil Wars after three champs crowned

Results and photos courtesy Rockingham Dragway

J.R. Webb of St. Albans, WV, Kenny Floyd (shown) of Charlotte, NC, and Howard Brewer of Bennett, NC, claimed individual titles Sunday, Sept. 23, before a car fire abruptly ended the 17th annual Holcomb Motorsports Outlaw Civil Wars drag race at Steve Earwood’s Rockingham Dragway.

In the second semifinal race in the Pro Tree Door class, Charles Wright drifted to the left and then abruptly turned right, head on into the right guard wall, just before the eighth-mile finish line then careened into the left side guardwall and caught fire. Wright was extricated by fire and rescue and transported via life flight helicopter to the burn center in Chapel Hill where he was treated and released.

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Wright suffered three blistered toes on his left foot, a contusion on his left leg, and possible bruised ribs.

Because residue left by fire suppressant chemicals compromised the track surface, racers who had advanced to the final round or the semifinal round in seven other categories agreed to split the purse.

Before the accident, Webb won the Outlaw 10.5 title, Floyd claimed the 6.0 Index crown and Bennett won in the 7.0 Index class. Ironically, Bennett would have opposed Wright in the Pro Tree Doorslammer class with an opportunity to become the weekend’s only double-up winner.