BRISTOL, Tenn. (Monday, September 26, 2011) – While it may have looked like a Ford ending the day in the Super Chevy Show Victory Lane during Sunday’s Bracket I competition at Bristol Dragway, a Chevy engine sat under the hood of Van Greer’s Ford Escort.
That engine, which powered the blue Ford to the win, was all that was needed to make the car eligible for competition last weekend.
Greer, of Kingsport, guided the Ford/Chevy hybrid to victory over Tim Church of Wilkesboro, N.C. late Sunday evening in Thunder Valley. Greer left the line with a .023 reaction time and completed his run in 6.700 sec. (6.68 dial-in) at 102.76 mph. Church left with a stellar .009 light, but was a little further from his dial, running a 5.020 elapsed time on a 4.98 dial-in.
Another Bristol regular, Brandon Bailey of Glade Spring, Va., took his machine to the win over Dandridge’s Corey Smith in Bracket II on Sunday when Smith broke out in the final round, running faster than his dial. Bailey had a .065 R.T. and a 9.786 E.T. (9.77 dial-in) at 70.73 mph on his winning pass. Smith had a .106 R.T. and a 9.547 E.T. (9.56 dial-in) at 73.05 mph on his losing attempt.
Justen West from Dunn, N.C. found his 1969 Camaro in Victory Lane in Sunday’s DOT action, sending Thunder Valley veteran Steve Foley back home to Barbourville, Ky. empty-handed. West’s round consisted of a .106 R.T. and a 13.070 E.T. (13.05 dial-in) at 99.16 mph. Foley had a much better .034 light, but couldn’t run down West, turning in an 11.881 E.T. on an 11.77 dial at 110.10 mph.
Chase Wagner of Willow Springs, N.C. defeated Roan Mountain’s Garrett Freeman in the final round of Junior Dragster Division I, despite Freeman running dead on. Wagner had a .066 R.T. and a 9.182 E.T. (9.16 dial-in) at 70.26 mph on his winning run. Freeman came off the line with a .118 R.T. and ran dead on with a 9.100 E.T. at 69.46 mph.
Newport’s Tyler White won Jr. Dragster Div. II when his opponent, Allison Eads of Bristol, Va., turned on the red light in the final round. White had a .061 R.T. and a 7.984 E.T. (7.90 dial-in) at 81.57 mph on his final run of the day.
Fans were treated to an exciting day of bracket racing, exhibition racing, a car show, swap meet and car corral. The Bristol event once again was one of the largest on the circuit and underscored Bristol fans’ dedication to the annual event.
Nitro-powered Pro Mods, Jet Dragsters and a monster-truck match race highlighted Saturday evening’s Fas Mart Thunder Valley Mayhem.
Bristol Dragway concludes the 2011 season with Fas Mart Street Fights on Saturday, Oct. 1. Racing begins at 1 p.m. with racing until 9 p.m. Anyone can race for just $5.
For more information about Thunder Valley events, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.
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