The Texas Outlaw Racing Group consisting of the Texas Outlaw Pro Modified Association and Outlaw Top Sportsman held three races this weekend, all over the state of Texas. The action kicked off Friday night at Texas Raceway where twenty-one pro mods showed up for the eight-car field. Gaylen Smith held the number one qualifying spot with a 4.141 at 171 mph after the first round. This run was a big relief for the Texas Bounty Hunter crew as it showed that they are on their way to conquering the gremlins that have been haunting them most of the year.
The second qualifying round had all of the spectators on their feet as every pass down the track seemed to lower the bump spot for the top eight cars of the night. When qualifying was over, Jeremy Brown, driving Mike Calagna’s “Twisted Lemon” held the number one spot with a 4.096 at 178 mph followed by Gaylen Smith and his 4.14. The field closed out with Wes Johnston on the bump spot with his 4.356 at 174 mph pass, although he would be replaced by first alternate, Keith Farris after he had some major engine damage from his second qualifying pass.
Eliminations began with Doug Riesterer pulling out an upset win over Bobby Booth with a 4.158 at 171 mph in his brand new, nitrous powered ’68 Camaro. This trend continued as the right lane held two more 4.15 winning passes by Gaylen and Chris Smith, and a 4.12 by Jeremy Brown.
The semi finals started off with Gaylen Smith who ran a 4.112 at 175 mph to defeat Chris Smith’s 4.15 at 174 mph. The next pair was a blown versus nitrous match up where Jeremy Brown defeated Doug Riesterer with a 4.049 at 179 mph to a 4.21 at 164 mph by the nitrous powered machine.
The final round came quick after the semi finals as the track pushed to make the last lap before the midnight curfew. Odds were against Gaylen Smith in his HEMI powered Camaro when he lined up against Jeremy Brown in the “Twisted Lemon” Corvette. When the lights came down, Smith was first off the line with a .037 reaction time to Brown’s .059. Both cars were side by side all the way down the track, and no one could tell who won. A 4.13 came up on Jeremy Brown’s score board, but was over shadowed by Smith’s 4.14 which included a win light. The exhausted teams packed up, as they would make a long drive to Abilene, Texas in the morning for another race.
When the outlaws arrived in Abilene, rain fell, and the chances of racing didn’t look too promising. After a few hours, the sky’s cleared and the teams were back at it again. This time, nine teams made the trip to race.
When qualifying was over, Wes Johnston made a huge comeback after his night of carnage previously in Kennedale as he held the number one qualifying spot with a 4.327 at 166 mph pass. The field closed out with Frankie Taylor on the bump after struggling to figure out his new combination.
In the first round of eliminations, Jeremy Brown ran low et of the night with a 4.13 at 172 mph when he defeated Gaylen Smith who ran a 4.768 at 111 mph due to losing a plug wire during his burnout. Other second round winners included Thomas Myers, Wes Johnston, and Justin White.
The semi finals had Thomas Myers defeating Justin White with a 4.210 at 173 mph to a 5.194 at 122 mph. The next pair were a couple of blown Corvette’s driven by Wes Johnston and Jeremy Brown. Johnston out ran Brown with a 4.233 at 166 mph to a 4.274 at 152 mph.
The final round was a blown versus nitrous battle where Wes Johnston ran a 4.248 at 168 mph with a -.0996 red light. Myers saw the win light and coasted to an easy victory and his second of the year.
Saturday night as held a race further North in Wichita Falls, Texas where the Outlaw Top Sportsman cars came to do battle. Teams meant business as four different members laid down 4.70 passes. David Smith lead qualifying with one of them, followed closely by Alfred Whiteside with another.
In the first round, Mat Thomas started off strong with another 4.70 pass, when he defeated David smith who broke out with a 4.68 at 149 mph. Other victors were Brad Jones, Steve Gorman, and Michelle Wilson.
In the semi finals, Mat Smith defeated Steve Gorman with a 4.74 to a 4.72 and Michelle Wilson took the win over Brad Jones with a 4.79 to an off-paced 4.88 at 136 mph.
In the final round two nitrous powered Camaro’s lined up together. Mat Thomas was first off the line, but his 4.75 at 149 mph wasn’t enough to hold off Wilson’s 4.72 pass.
Photos courtesy of RaceAbilene.com, PrestagePhoto.com, and Competition Designs.