Byron Dragway-Mother Nature and I Got Fooled-Big Buck Bracket Bash-Super Pro & TT

Dennis DiValerio

On Saturday morning, as I was preparing to leave for the Big Bucks Bracket Bash at Byron Dragway, my General Manager, wife Janet, asked if I had checked the weather report. I replied, "I did last night." She stated you better check it again. When I did, I saw that the report changed with rain expected around 2 pm instead of later that night. I made the call to head to the track. With the impending rain, the Byron personnel moved swiftly to get the event started. There would be two rounds of qualifying with eliminations following.​

As soon as Time trials ended there was a quick turnaround to start eliminations. The first cars out were the No Box cars. The No Box cars would run five rounds to reach its Final. However, in between the rain hit causing a rain delay of almost four hours. In their Final it, would be Terry Heller from Morrison, Il. in his 71 Chevrolet Vega against John Hixon from Plainfield, Il. in his 70 Buick GS.

Terry got to the Final, by being very consistent with his hitting his Dial-In, except in Round 2 when his opponent, Shane Pope, redlighted by -.007. John got to the Final on the strength of his Reaction Times. Except in Round 1, when his opponent, Jordan Ancel had a problem getting off the line, his worst R/T was .034. In Round 2, John received a bye with his .000 R/T in Time Trials.

In the Final, John cut another good light, .022, however Terry had a great light, .008. Both ran over their D/I .006. Terry won on the strength of his Reaction Time. This was a great race!

Photo courtesy of Byron Dragway

In the Box class, there would be six rounds of competition to reach the Box Final. In the Final, it would be Tim Vincent against Shane Pope.

The path for Tim and Shane to the Final appears to have been through their Reaction Times. Tim's worst was .020 and Shane .026.

In the Final, this held true when Tim had a holeshot win when Shane ran closer to his dial-in, 4.75/4.751 to Tim's 4.89/4.896, however Tim's .006 R/T beat Shane's .015 by .009. This race was won on the start line.

This set up Tim Vincent against Terry Heller in the Final, Final of Super Pro for the $3,000 big check. In the race, it was Terry, in the slower car, to leave first being chased by Tim. At the stripe Terry broke out by .007 giving the win to Tim.

Photo courtesy of Byron Dragway

Track Bites

Just for complete disclosure, I left this race early. After watching the radar for quite some time, I never thought this race would be completed! I will never doubt BJ again!!

In the second round, Nate Kelley driving the "Gone Batty" dragster, after launching, broke and pulled off the track. Normally, that would end his day, however his opponent, John Schadt, redlighted by -.002 to give the win to Nate. They found a broken part in the distributor and were able to quickly repair the motor. Nate made it to the semi-final against Shane Pope. Sometimes it is better to lucky than good!

In addition to the Super Pro race there was a Test & Tune.

To see all the images from the day, please click here.

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