Good Vibrations Top Sportsman

Mike White won the Good Vibrations Top Sportsman Ironman over Jim Cairnes. White, Arden, North Carolina, made an excellent run in the finals, charting a 4.808 on a 4.80 with a .020 light. Cairnes, Hendersonville, North Carolina, left before the green light. White and his ’63 Corvette made the finals over Barry Dunn on the strength of a .009 reaction time, while Cairnes toppled another ’63 Vette driver, Stacy Hall.

Good Vibrations Top Dragster

Matthew McDaniel, Foret City, North Carolina, beat out Jeff Jones to win the Top Dragster comp. McDaniel ran the strip in 4.78 against a 4.74 dial-in with a .009 RT. Jones, Ninety Six, South Carolina, committed an unfortunate red-light foul to open the door for McDaniel’s victory. In the semifinals, McDaniel outpaced Joe Gary, while Jones advanced over Corey Manuel.

Super Stock

Doug Hobgood bested Taylor Dunahoo, who charted a red-light infraction in the finals of the Super Stock. Hobgood, Lucama, North Carolina, actually ran under his 6.25 dial-in, finishing at 6.16 with a .100 light, but Dunahoo (Roanoke, Virginia) left early to seal the win for Hobgood. Dunahoo stopped Larry Coppock in the semis with a great run (6.878 on 6.87), and Hobgood ran unopposed.

Stock Eliminator

It was a battle of venerated age versus the new style in the Stock Eliminator finals, and Kevin Locklear’s 1971 Plymouth Duster won the day over Brandon Peterson and his 1997 Camaro. Locklear, Sanford, North Carolina, finished with a 6.89 time on a 6.82 dial-in, compared to Peterson’s 7.04 against 7.00. However, Locklear’s .017 reaction time pushed him over the top; Peterson (Randleman, North Carolina) posted a .051 light. Locklear ensured his place in the finals with a semifinal win over C.J. McDonald, and Peterson’s better RT got him past Mike Longhany.

Hot Rod

Greg Fowler made the trip from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and it was well worth it, as he took home the Hot Rod Ironman over Donald C. Webb of Four Oaks, North Carolina. It was guaranteed to be close, as both drivers topped out at 114 and 113 mph during the day, respectively. However, Fowler’s .020 light and 7.028 time on a 7.00 dial-in bested Webb, who just barely went out (6.991 on 7.00). In the semis, Webb beat his son Chris, while Fowler had a solo run to the finals.

Quick Rod

It was a very close finish in the finals of the Quick Rod competition, but Mitchell Harkey got the better of fellow North Carolinian Darrell Collins. Both drivers posted a 5.70 dial-in, and China Grove’s Harkey finished with a 5.72 time and a .012 reaction time over Collins’ (Clemmons) 5.73 and .024 RT. Harkey bested Glenn Ferguson in the semifinal; Collins had a bye run.

Super Rod

Kevin Brannon broke out in the finals of the Super Rod comp, but Randy Hamilton left before the green light to cement a win for Brannon. Brannon, Boiling Springs, South Carolina, was just .011 under his 6.40 dial-in, but Hamilton’s (Pound, Virginia) foul decided the finals. Brannon made the finals with an excellent run (.005 light, 6.402 on 6.40) to beat Steve Furr; Hamilton’s semifinal was a bye run.

Jr. Masters

The Junior Masters final saw a great finish between young vets Hayden Lambert and Nicholas Rabon, with Lambert only just coming out on top. Rabon, Florence, North Carolina, was a mere .039 seconds off his 7.90 dial-in with a .031 light, but Lambert, Albemarle, North Carolina, was even better, recording a 7.962 time against 7.93 and a .015 light. Lambert advanced to the finals on a bye, while Rabon beat out Kaylee Creech.

Jr. Advanced

It was Logan Westmoreland adding to his collection of Ironmen with a victory in the Junior Advanced comp against Skylon Stowe. Westmoreland, Greenwood, South Carolina, topped out at 72.91 mph and finished with an 8.99 time on an 8.98 dial-in with a .066 RT. Stowe, for his part, was .026 off his 8.95 dial-in and got off the line in .058 seconds. Westmoreland defeated Isaac Bridges in the semis; Stowe bested Kaylee Love.

Jr. Beginner

Cale Pittman ran to a win in the Junior Beginner comp. Pittman, Mt. Airy, North Carolina, had an 11.93 time on 11.90 with an .150 RT to defeat Carter Hull (Selma, North Carolina), who broke out. Hull defeated Will Creasman to reach the finals, and Pittman beat Riley Hoover in the other semifinal.