Lutz Out, LaSala One Step Closer to Sick Week Victory
On a dramatic day four of Sick Week 2024 Presented By Gear Vendors Overdrive, overall second-placed Jeff Lutz withdrew from the event as mechanical issues mounted against the Mad Max Camaro.
After staying at Gainesville until midnight to freshen his motor with new internals, that work was wiped out in a single 6.315-second pass at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
“We have struggled pretty hard,” Lutz said. “We’ve had mechanical issues non-stop. Our first pass here at Valdosta the mandrel broke, which runs the oil pump, so everything we did last night got screwed in one run today. There are multiple issues. I am sad to say Sick Week 2024 kicked my ass.”
Lutz’s loss is certainly Brett LaSala’s gain. The Modified class leader is now in the box seat to win overall honors for the first time at Sick Week, provided he can make the drive and put in a representative pass at Orlando Speed World tomorrow. LaSala yet again improved on his own world record for a radial tire drag-and-drive car with a stunning 6.290 at 227mph, for an average of 6.359.
Bryant Goldstone has now moved into second with a 6.533 average following a personal best 6.427 run in Georgia. He leads Unlimited Iron from Alex Taylor, who conquered driveshaft issues with a late 7.147 pass (6.942A).
Third-place overall (as well as top spot in Unlimited) now belongs to Stefan Gustafsson, who registered a 6.675 for a 6.770 average. Lutz’s exit from the event, along with the loss of Magnus Frost’s Ascona with engine problems, elevated Gustafsson’s position.
Jason Pickett is looking better and better in Heavy Metal, with his average now at 8.167, carrying a six-tenths lead from next best Jon Moore in the crazy offroad-style Crown Victoria.
Glenn Hunter ran his quickest time of the week in Pro Street, hitting a 7.146 to bump his average to a 7.269, with a half-second now up his sleeve over Kelly Harvey’s 7.783 average.
Australia’s Michael Ward laid down his best pass ever by over two-tenths of a second, flying to a 7.146 to bring his average to a 7.389. Kevin Smith and Brad Thiessen are fighting for second place, with averages of 7.532 and 7.548 respectively.
Matt Sweet is approaching a Naturally Aspirated win with another seven-seventy pass, as a 7.748 took his average to a 7.734.
One of the most impressive passes of the day came from Matt Moore, whose 4.607 pass in Rowdy Radial went oh-so-close to the class’ all time best of 4.595, held by Devin Vanderhoof’s Ford Mustang with Josh Davis at the wheel.
Sick Week Freaks saw Damon Elff extend his lead with an 8.759 pass from his Supra for an 8.793 average, while Rob Courtney could only muster an 8.973 (8.889A).
The chances of a Beetle winning Gassers vs Hot Rods vs Beetles for the first time is looking good, with Steven Dalton’s 10.080 average and Richie Webb’s 10.237 both representing VW.
Randy Seward is fighting hard with James Taal in Street Race 275 with 8.513 and 8.521 averages respectively, while Brian Acton is holding out in Sick Street Race with an 8.528 average.
Gabriela Lujan is looking for her first Pro DYO win, with a 0.018 spread narrowly ahead of Dean Anderson’s 0.019 spread. In DYO, Azeem Sheikh’s Camaro is looking good thanks to a 0.022 spread. Bullseye honors went to Bre Brewer today with a 15.472 on the day’s target of 46.
After competition at SGMP, Sick Weekers faced their longest drive of the week at 271 miles to Orlando. A non-compulsory checkpoint at McClain Motorsport gave people the option to take a break before heading onto the Hoot Owl ice cream shop for the third year in a row. Racers seem to love this stop in Palatka, FL. From there it was on to Destination Daytona for some good times at the Saints & Sinners bar and a photo opportunity at Daytona Harley Davidson.
The final day of Sick Week 2024 Presented By Gear Vendors Overdrive takes place at Orlando Speed World on Friday, February 2 with racing from 11am until dusk. Get your tickets here.
Check out some more photos from today below!
