Bailey Keeps Lead, While Hargett And Sweet Smash Class Records - Hot Rod Drag Week Day Two Report
Rockingham Dragway’s new racing surface delivered best-ever times for a significant number of competitors during day two of Hot Rod Drag Week.
The North Carolina venue’s fresh concrete, combined with cool morning conditions, saw a bunch of teams dial more power into their tune-ups, delivering big numbers on the timing boards.
Tom Bailey extended his lead with a one-and-done 6.542 at 215mph from Sick Seconds 1.0, taking his average to a 6.645. He was on the road well before midday to make the 241-mile drive to Bristol, TN.
The main rival to Bailey’s overall chances is Bryant Goldstone, but he had a tough day trying to keep his Javelin in the groove. He eventually settled for a pedaled 6.998.
Fellow Ultimate Iron racer Matthew Frost managed to secure a new ProCharger overnight and he was at Rockingham early to commence repairs, which included welding up the charge pipe. He got on track in the afternoon and ran a troubled 8.073. A second run wasn’t any better and Frost made the announcement on social media that he would be withdrawing from the event, concerned about potential damage to his transmission.
One of the day’s most epic runs came from Ned Dunphy in the Unlimited class SMX-powered Dodge Viper. After heavy tire shake, Dunphy pedaled the car to a 6.693 at 216mph — the fastest speed of the event so far. Though his average was shot by a day one 12-second pass, we look forward to seeing what this beast can do throughout the week!
Tony Hayes kept his lead in Pro Street Power Adder, despite having to repair rocker damage yesterday. His 7.977 average leads Evan Uerkwitz’s 8.207.
Matt Sweet drove to one of the best runs of the day in Pro Street NA, a 7.845 that was the quickest naturally aspirated pass in Drag Week history. With over 800 cubic inches at his disposal, Sweet now just has to complete the event to get the pass officially recognized.
Devin Vanderhoof maintained his lead in Modified thanks to a soft 7.074 for a 7.047 average. Vanderhoof is adamant that he isn’t going to push harder until later in the week, as completing Drag Week is his top goal.
Richard Trunkett dropped a seriously impressive 7.683 in Super Street Big Block Power Adder, a run that was only a hundredth off his best ever in the Duster.
But even that run was eclipsed by an incredible pass from Ryan Hargett in Super Street Small Block Power Adder. A 7.169 at a huge 196mph was Hargett’s personal best and we believe the quickest pass in class history.
While Hargett’s run was getting all the attention, we have to give an honorable mention to second-in-class Mike Ward (here all the way from Western Australia), who clocked a PB by two tenths of a second with a 7.543 from his Nova.
Michael Ramines keeps doing it for the Fords in All Motor Big Block with an 8.609 today, while Jason Tabscott has All Motor Small Block on lock courtesy of an improved 8.689.
Across the Street Race classes, Dustin Trance remains the man to beat. Today an 8.508 joined yesterday’s 8.502, keeping him well in the running for the first 8.50X average in Street Race history.
While time slip-related celebrations were taking place, other racers were letting results-keeping official Tonya Turk know they were out of Hot Rod Drag Week. Phil Gulledge found a valve train issue with his blown Chevy S10 yesterday and chose not to carry on, while Glenn Hunter Jr had a timing belt let go which bent some valves. Brian Havlik was another racer to have poor Monday fortunes, heading home after an engine problem. Scott Glassbrook busted the ring and pinion on his Eagle Talon today, taking him out.
The drive today took racers around the outskirts of Charlotte with some challenging traffic in the late afternoon, before a climb into the mountains. The day’s lone checkpoint was Brown Mountain Overlook, where twin mountain vistas on either side of the road provided a stunning backdrop. From there, it was mostly downhill towards Bristol, where day three of Hot Rod Drag Week awaits!
Click here for full results or check out more pics below!
