The fans were ready for the Big Dog competition to return.

August Big Dog at Julian, NC

GALOT team dominates combo event at Piedmont

Words and photos by Greg Burrow

With the Lucas Oil Nitrous Shootout seemingly ancient history, racing finally resumed at historic Piedmont Dragway. Weather cancelled the July date, usually a two-day event known as Power Jam, and the June event left four cars to run for the trophy that resembles a bull dog.

Todd Tutterow and Keith Floyd were left to settle the June event in the second round of qualifying, with Tutterow running another 3.83 to defeat a red light by Floyd, in a battle of supercharged Camaros.

That finished, qualifying had old and new names with the Extreme Outlaw Pro Mods in the house, as GALOT Motorsports Park is not quite ready for competition and rather than not run at all, directors Rick Moore and Charlie Buck were overseeing the EOPM regulars that highlighted points leader, Tommy Franklin.

Other cars, new to this season at Piedmont were the Corvette driven by Dale Brinsfield and tuned by Charles Terrell. Also present was Charles Carpenter, the Godfather of Pro Mod, who admitted not being down the eighth mile in almost 10 years. Todd Howard was at the controls of Jerry Williams new Mustang and Ronnie Gardner was also present.

Qualifying resulted in some surprises as Lucas Oil Shootout winner Chris Rini did not qualify, running only a 4.07, simply not quick enough for the all 3-second eight-car field.