MATCH RACE MADNESS

A sickness passed over Barona 1/8th Mile Dragstrip on the 9th of July, and with the track running at a fever pitch, there was only one treatment: Have a full night of Match Race Madness, and take a side of Gambler and AFX, and race hard until morning. Late that Saturday night, Barona was packed with racers looking to settle their personal rivalries in best 2 out of 3 sets, with the winner taking the prize, and a chunk of Crower cash. You can catch some of the highlights of the event here, on SpeedVideo.com, who livestreamed the event last Saturday.

Steve Sherman (Left) driving his Jersey Mikes "Sherminator", matched up against Danny Siala (Far), who would win the Best Of 3 Match Race.

Manuel "Manny" Gutierrez (Near) and Jim "Woody" Wood (Far) lined up in a Match Race of nicknames. Manny came out on top, winning the series 2-1.

Either way, the Gambler and AFX were run alongside the dueling match race aficionados. The Gambler came first, with a final coming down to Rick Reynolds and his 71 Pinto up against Padro Valadez and his 87 Camaro. Padro would launch first, in the slower car, but Rick would not need to get off the line at all, as Padro launched off 7 thousandths of a second before the green light dropped, giving Rick the bracket win.

​The Gambler final, with Padro Valadez's 87 Camaro (Near) lined up against Rick Reynolds' 71 Pinto. Padro would launch early, giving Rick the Gambler win.


When the Match Races are done, and the Gambler has been wrapped up, all that's left is the AFX Challenge. A pair of racers from Ramona would decide this bracket, as David Franklin's 61 Ford lined up against Joel Miner's 65 Dodge. Joel would get the early lead off the line with a .016 R/T, 72 thousandths better then David's .088, but David would nail his dial, getting a 5.909 E/T on a 5.90 dial. But those 72 thousandths would bite him in the hind quarters as it was too big of a lead to make up, when Joel got a 6.663 E/T on a 6.60 dial, as David only made up 54 thousandths on that 72 thousandths lost on the tree, as Joel Miner is the night's AFX Challenge Champion.

​David Franklin (Near) in his Old Yeller 61 Ford lined up against Joel Miner (Far) in his Miner Threat 65 Dodge in the AFX Challenge final. David would get a quick start off the line on his way to the AFX win.
That wraps up the Madness for tonight, until next time the infection spreads. Until then, we got the Summit Series coming back, with race #5 on Saturday the 23rd, and #6 on Sunday the 24th. Super Street and the Gambler will be running too. See you there!