Raymond Perry drove his red Ford Falcon to the Box victory by being dead-on plus two against his 5.83 dial-in. He sped down the 1/8-mile in 115.80 mph and had a .023 better reaction time than final-round opponent Wayne Couick. Representing Pageland Dragway, Couick powered down the track in 5.236 seconds at 132.90 in his sharp green Ford Mustang.
There was more Blue Oval power in the No Box final as Shelly Salmond’s blue Mustang was victorious against the green Chevy Nova of Chad Dotson. Salmond had a .038 start to go along with a run of 6.217 seconds at 107.44 mph against a 6.21 dial-in. Dotson got off the line in .046 seconds and was just a tad too quick on his run of 6.419 seconds at 104.04 mph against a 6.42 dial-in.
Ethan Santmeyer defeated Aiden Chavis in a battle of SC Motorplex racers in the Junior Dragster final. Santmeyer had the terrific .005 start to go along with a 7.921-second run at 78.98 mph on a 7.90 dial-in. Chavis had a potential winning effort of 7.904 seconds at 82.56 mph on a 7.90 dial-in negated by triggering the red light.
Plenty more Gamblers action took place Friday with Savannah Bolton from SC Motorplex winning the Box final on a holeshot.
Bolton paired a 6.574-second run at 103.89 mph on a 6.55 dial-in with a .006 reaction time to overcome a great effort by Adam Buchanan from Shadyside Dragway. Buchanan left the line in .043, but was dead-on with a one on a 6.101-second pass at 107.57 mph on a 6.10 dial.
Marion Cox added to the list of SC Motorplex winners, taking the No Box final over Robert Rayfield from Pageland Dragway. Cox eased down the drag strip in 7.204 seconds at 71.30 mph after Rayfield was just -.003 too quick at the start. The foul spoiled a potential winning pass of 5.933 seconds at 112.95 mph on a 5.93 dial-in by Rayfield.
Rylan Williams captured Friday’s Junior Dragster final as Chavis again finished runner-up. Williams made a 7.965-second run at 79.28 mph along with a .071 start. Chavis had a great 7.903-second run at 82.31 mph on a 7.90 dial-in, but had a -.005 too quick reaction time.
Aaron Brock from Pageland Dragway won the Track Operators race with Paul Salvatore the runner-up finisher.
Robert Santmeyer completed the list of Thursday and Friday winners in the Pit Bike race.
Check out IHRA.com and our social media pages for a recap of Saturday’s main event and special award winners.