SHRA at Abilene, Texas

Mears, Hixon and Rose take Abilene wins

Results and photos courtesy SHRA

Andy Mears (Wes Ramsey photo)

The Southwest Heritage Racing Association competed Aug. 1 in Abilene, Texas, for the first time. The Big Country Nostalgia Nationals saw upsets in eliminations and a familiar face in the winner’s circle.

Chris Graves arrived in Abilene with his “Blown Inheritance” slingshot digger as the points leader. The Amarillo winner, Clay Cunningham, was looking to take the top spot in his “Still Crazy II.” Jason O’Neill thrashed to get his “Bad Behavior” altered fixed after suffering severe engine damage in Amarillo, and Tera Wendland Graves (Chris’s wife) came looking for points in an attempt to repeat as class champ this year.

Cunningham’s 4.6645 took the top qualifier spot, just edging out the 4.6646 of Tera Graves. Mrs. Graves and Jason O’Neill both lost in the first round, however, ending their chances of moving up in the points.

In Round 2 both Cunningham and Chris Graves would bow out, giving Tommy Drozd the opportunity to gain points on the leaders as he moved to the semifinals. But it would be NE3 driver Carl Johnson, who was subbing for Leonard Ament in Richard LeLaMatyr’s blown altered that would take out Drozd and advance to the final against the popular Andy Mears in his “Drag Slayer” 1957 Chevy Funny Car. Mears got the best of Johnson in the final and grabbed his first SHRA win of 2015.

Thomas Hixson (Wes Ramsey photo)

In the NE2 class there is a big group of racers within striking distance of the top spot in points. Bee Godwin came into Abilene leading the points with the target on him and a herd of racers on his tail.

Qualifying concluded with the “One Wild Ride” dragster wheeled by Thomas Hixson at the top of the list with Godwin right behind him. Bruce Dodson, who was the points leader earlier this season, was out after breakage during qualifying. Godwin was bumped out of the points lead when he lost in the first round to Shawn McKibben in the “Altered Addiction.”

In the final, Hixson beat McKibben, taking the points lead along with the event win.

Dusty Rose in the “Foggy Mountain Special.” (Stan Scott/MaxCackle photo)

NE3 points leader Dusty Rose has dominated all year, winning all three events so far.

During qualifying Ron Munch took a wild ride in the second session. His altered left hard and then moved toward the wall, tagging it hard and shooting across track and hitting the opposite wall. The car stayed upright and then idled on down the track. Shaken but not seriously hurt, Munch withdrew from the event taking his stout 5.55 run out of the qualifying order and moving Rose to the top.

Doug Morrison had the number 2 spot and it would be the top two who met in the final round. Morrison’s 5.51 was enough to beat Rose, who went under the index with a 5.47, but the red light was on in Morrison’s lane, giving Rose his fourth win in a row and a dominating points lead.

The next event is the SHRA Summer Old School Bracket Nationals that will also feature Super Stock and bracket racers on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Denton, Texas.