Semi Finals

The semifinals would consist of all nitrous-motivated machines. Blomberg had the misfortune of experiencing electrical problems in the form of a low charge on his battery and could not get the car fired in the water box leaving Ortiz to have a bye into the final. Ortiz rolled to the line and at the green belched flame from the right side exhaust but was still able to get the car down track for the win running 7.59 @ 89.45.

Chris Domino

The final pairing matched the new 2016 TAO Champion Bob Gulitti and 2013 TAO Champion Chris Domino. Domino left first at the green but had major traction issues around half track and got way sideways and crossed the centerline as Gulitti flew down for the win posting 4.07 @ 178.29 to advance to the final round. And match up against series runner up Tim Ortiz.

Finals

In what had the potential to be a very compelling and entertaining final Gulitti and Ortiz rolled into the lights for the final pass and to determine who would claim the last victory 2016. Both cars staged and at the green Ortiz launched and had problems as the car unloaded and Gulitti blasted down track to claim the win with a 4.09/177.24 to the idling 10.43 @ 67.95 of Ortiz.

With the win Bob Gulitti lays claim to three out of four events won. After the race Gulitti commented, “Now that’s the way to do it!” and he was right, taking home the winner’s trophy and the title of 2016 Texas Automatic Outlaws Pro Mod Champion.

Final 2016 Top Ten Points Standings

1. Bob Gulitti 224

2. Tim Ortiz 174

3. Bengt Blomberg 138

4. Chris Domino 98

5. Travis Brandt 88

6. Richard Willett 70

7. Richard Otwell 64

8. Eddie Roach 58

9. Harry Crane 45

10. Stacey Cunningham 39