Goldstone vs Taylor vs McFarland: A Sick Summer Battle Royale in the Midwest!
As opening day at Byron Dragway approaches, let’s review the field and see who might be in with a shot at having the quickest average of the entire field for Motion Raceworks Sick Summer. Needless to say, you’re going to have to be running sixes…
Bryant Goldstone
Last year’s Sick Summer winner was Bryant Goldstone, whose AMC Javelin secured top spot with an average of 6.882 seconds. Victory did not come without drama after the Javelin’s front clip tore off through the finish line on its final pass of the week.
The twin-turbo, 572ci big block Chevy-powered machine has been on a performance tear ever since its rebuild from a crash at Hot Rod Drag Week 2021. Goldstone has also racked up wins at the NHRA PEAK Street Car Shootout Presented By Sick The Magazine, Unlimited Iron-class victories at Sick Week and Drag Week, and even took out the Drag-and-Drive World Champion Award in a presentation at the end of 2023.
At Sick Week 2024 Presented By Gear Vendors Overdrive, Goldstone recorded his quickest ever average at 6.519, along with a new personal best of 6.427/228mph. This is a big tire car, which should help Goldstone as temperatures warm up throughout next week.
We give Goldstone 2:1 odds of winning overall.
Alex Taylor
Alex Taylor’s world has become much busier in recent years, going from YouTube and Instagram influencer to MotorTrend presenter on Hot Rod Garage and becoming one of the most popular drag racers in the nation. Her ’55 Chevy is due a win and it has enough horsepower to be right up there.
Last year her Sick Summer campaign was derailed by parts failure on day two after a promising 6.816 pass on day one. Sick Week 2024 showed some recovery with a personal best 6.791.
While Taylor does not quite have the horsepower of Goldstone, her ’55 stays fairly happy on just about any track surface. That wide tuning window will be helpful as the week wears on.
We give Alex Taylor 3:1 odds of winning overall.
Garrett Mitchell
You might not think it, but Garrett Mitchell — AKA Cleetus McFarland — has been in struggle town at recent drag-and-drives. The SMX-powered El Camino known as Mullet has all the parts and pieces to win overall so long as he can find some luck.
The car’s debut in 2021 was excellent, with a class win at Midwest Drags, followed by an overall win at the 2022 edition of the event. But since Sick Week 2023, it seems like Mullet can’t take a trick, with everything from a hole in the bottom of the block to a transmission failure at Sick Week 2024. Last Year’s Sick Summer saw an issue with converter charge pressure, forcing Mitchell out on day three. He’s certainly deserving of a smooth week.
While Mitchell has the horsepower to run up to 230mph, Mullet remains on radial tires. The power will need to be tamed early. Cooler morning temps will be Mullet’s friend so expect to see this car on track very early each day.
We give Cleetus 5:1 odds of winning overall.
Nick Taylor
Want a dark horse? Nick Taylor might be the one. He will return in Uncle Sam, which proved itself as a six-second car all the way back at Sick Week 2022. A crash at War in the Woods a couple of years ago set Taylor back, but the car has been rebuilt and is ready to rumble.
This Camaro might be quick, but it’s also built to a budget, and goes to show that a six-second street car doesn’t have to be beyond someone prepared to work for it. He would need the leading contenders to struggle to be in with a shot, but stranger things have happened at drag-and-drive.
We give Nick 10:1 odds of winning overall.
Want to see the battle play out for yourself? Be at Motion Raceworks Sick Summer next week at Byron Dragway, Cordova Dragway, Tri-State Raceway or Great Lakes Dragaway, or watch live on FRDM+! Save $5 on spectator tickets by pre-purchasing online.
For more event info including the schedule and route, check out the event page.
