Hurley Quick, An Australian in Class Lead, And Stick Shift War Underway in the Mountains
Rocky Mountain Race Week 2.0 is underway, in an event that is the ‘last of an era’ for drag-and-drive’s second longest running fixture.
Pueblo Motorsports Park near Colorado Springs, Denver was the site of day one activity, playing host track for about 250 racers.
It was no surprise to see regular front runner Jason Hurley at the top of Unlimited thanks to a 7.363 pass at 188mph in the Meltdown Firebird, which continues to chase a six-second, 200mph time slip.
Will Carter’s ’77 Chevy Vega was the only other seven-second runner of the day, clocking a 7.917 at 177mph in the Outlaw Street class.
Pro Street features a new challenger to class veteran Adam Crego, with Australia’s Ben Neal entering the fray with his Ford Barra-powered Toyota Cresta. The six-cylinder hooked up for an 8.653 run to lead Crego’s 8.903.
Brady Matysek’s Camaro (above, left) got off to a good start in Limited Street courtesy of an 8.563, though Aaron Shaffer (8.589) and Trevor Branden (8.590) are hot on his tail. It was also good to see Steve Willingham getting his Buick Grand National working to the tune of an 8.743.
Rowdy Radial is a little smaller field than we are used to at RMRW, with Brian Walden’s ’86 Mustang punching out a 5.594 on a 235 tire for day one’s lead.
Hot Rod bully Corey Thompson struggled for traction at Pueblo but eventually managed an 8.476, with Walter Doyle’s Chevelle holding on to second thanks to an 8.784. Thompson did have to go looking for a new parachute after his run though, getting into a tangle with a generator trailer near the return road!
Bradley Thiessen’s Nova put down an impressive 8.100 in Ultimate Radial, though he doesn’t have much breathing room from Jim Parkison whose Camaro went 8.150 to be right behind.
Stick Shift is huge, with 28 cars in contention. Chad Fegley’s Corvette banged out an 8.421/175mph, but has Canadian Chris Hein in pursuit following an 8.603/167mph, which we think may be a new personal best for the red-and-white coupe. Also in the eights were Bill Armstrong (8.823) and Richard Guido (8.838).
Carlo Astor has a big lead in NA Big Block after a 9.453 pass, with Sick BBQ boss Rich Pedraza in second on a 10.920. Meanwhile in NA Small Block, Dave Barry’s 10.584 is currently the time to beat.
Rob Lepenske has a three-second lead in the seven-car Gasser field after a 9.796 pass.
Across the 9-10-11-12-13-14 index classes, the early leaders are Vince Ruhe (9.079), Travis Urbach (10.012), Cameron Thorpe (11.007), Michael Butterfield (12.008), Brian Price (13.012) and Ernie Raile (14.019).
Finally in the Motorcycle class, Chris Baker threw down a quick 8.799, which will hopefully set his Hayabusa up for a shot at the two-wheel drag-and-drive record.
Day two of Rocky Mountain Race Week is actually already underway in Kearney, Nebraska, with a high wind forecast resulting in a decision to begin racing early. Make sure to head over to the Bangshift channel on YouTube to watch live! You can also check out 1320Video’s day one RMRW wrap below.