The Clash of the Titans at San Antonio Raceway

Words and photos by JM Hallas 

As the Clash of the Titans Outlaw Racing Series celebrated its 20th year, the racing action was as hot as the Texas sun. After a full day of testing, tuning and qualifying on Friday, it was time for the baddest of the bad to be determined in all Clash of the Titan classes, plus a Summit Super Series Bracket Race, for double points.

Two more qualifying sessions were held for the Pro classes, but extremely hot and tricky track conditions didn't allow anyone to take over the number one spots from Friday nights sessions that saw Steve Wiley( Pro Mod), Kevin Hargett (Outlaw 10.5) and Lamar Swindoll (True 10.5) all set new track record times.

In the Clash classes, top qualifiers Steve Wiley(Pro Mod), Kevin Hargett (Outlaw 10.5), Lamar Swindoll Jr. (True 10.5), Scott Ball (5.80 Index) and Perry Taylor (Little Pooch) looked to complete the weekend sweep and take home the trophies and prize money.

The day saw two major incidents that slowed the racing action and kept track crews busy throughout the day. In Sportsman time trials, Roy Trevino literally knocked the bottom out of the motor in his Chevy Camaro leaving parts, pieces, and lots of oil on the track.

During round 1 of Outlaw 10.5 eliminations Larry Valadez, in his recently rebuilt Ford Mustang, got sideways on his run against Mike Murillo. Once out of the groove, his car slid across the track, making hard contact with the wall in the other lane. The contact knocked off parts holding oil and spraying the top end with synthetic oil, coolant, and assorted car parts. Valadez was able to get out uninjured.

In the track Summit Super Series points chase, Leroy O'Bryant, in his El Camino, holds a substantial lead over the Dragsters of Brett Zampese, Brent Ritter, Chris Keylich, and Jeff Rabedeau in the Electronics (Box) class.

The Foot Brake( No-box) class is as tight as usual with the two Hayabusa motorcycles of Brandon Mitchan and Ruben Gallegos once again battling for the championship. Nelson Friedeck in his Chevy II, Ryan McDonnell in his Roadster, and Todd Zampese in his Dragster make for a interesting combination of points chasers in the top five.

The two Hayabusa riders are no stranger to battling for championships. Mitchan is the defending Foot Brake track champion, with Gallegos finishing second. While in the Motorcycle Shootout championship it was Gallegos taking that title with Mitchan as runner up.

The Jr. Dragsters have former track champ Ashley Hubbell out front by a huge margin over Matthew Keylich, Caden Meuth. and the Ball sisters, Emily and Haily. With Hubbell's 200+ points lead. it's certain she will take her second Jr. Dragster track championship.

Gaylon Smith, Pro Mod winner, on his burnout

Pro Mod

The Pro Mod finals ended in the wee, small hours of Sunday morning, but for those that stuck around, it was well worth the wait. It was the two top qualifiers of Steve Wiley (Burleson) and Gaylon Smith (Mansfield) going head to head. Wiley, in the Pusher Racing/Clark Brothers Hemi-powered ‘63 Corvette, got almost 3/100th on Smith at the starting line. Smith, in his Texas Bounty Hunter Hemi-powered, ‘57 Chevy, was able to not only drive around Wiley, who slowed on the big end, but reset the track record in the process, bettering Wiley's Friday number by .008.

Gaylon Smith, 3.861 at 193.55 defeats Steve Wiley, 4.246 at 139.49