The Fives Fall Again at Drag Week Day One
After a seven-year wait since Tom Bailey’s historic 5.997 pass, drag and drive has returned to the fives in spectacular fashion at day one of Hot Rod Drag Week at Route 66 Raceway today.
Expectations were high, with four 5-second proven Unlimited cars on site and prime weather conditions in the upper-60s. A mixed early session saw Larry Larson and Ned Dunphy both barely miss the fives, with 6.040 and 6.047 times respectively.
Jeff Lutz had the worst start of all, breaking a connecting rod in his brand-new Noonan Hemi combo and withdrawing from the event.
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It was the afternoon session where the week came alive as the top contenders returned to the staging lanes. Dunphy was first out and set the crowd alight with a 5.994/245 mph, before Larry Larson stepped ahead with a 5.977/244 mph. It took seven years for the second 5-second pass, but just two minutes for the third!
Hoping to emulate Dunphy and Larson was Bryant Goldstone. His Camaro wasn’t as quick down low but was just as fast out back for a 6.073/245 mph, setting up an awesome top three after day one. As always in drag and drive, the week must be completed for the records to stand, so all eyes will be on this trio of racers.
It was a good day to be an Unlimited driver as Shaun Skipper (6.832) and Nick Cryer (6.859) both recorded personal bests, too.
Radial tires proved trickier to get down the Route 66 Raceway surface. But Les Smith showed it could be done with a flying 6.650 to lead Ultimate Iron after day one.
Glenn Hunter’s Chevy got down for a 7.171 to lead Pro Street Power Adder, with favorite Nick Rinehart struggling in his 6-second Nova for a 7.486 best.
Calvin Hayward impressed in Super Street Big Block Power Adder with a 7.461/204 mph blast but went into the sand after the chutes did not come out.
Modified is certainly up for grabs right now with most of the field struggling. Former Sick Summer podium-getter Michael Manuel leads with a 7.682, way off his 6-second potential in the Camaro.
It wasn’t just the boosted cars enjoying the cool conditions, with Jeremiah Kirby punching out a 7.767 in his Pro Street NA Chevelle.
Of the 8.50 classes, Jason Rousseau in Mark Sussino’s Pontiac Grand Prix was quickest with a stout 8.507 in Street Race Small Block Power Adder.
Street Machine Eliminator saw an interesting moment, as Ryan Majchrowski nailed the first perfect 10.000 pass in the history of the class.
The drive was a relatively short 128-mile jaunt across Illinois towards Byron Dragway, with stop at Roosty’s Chicken and the Amboy Depot Museum.
The weather forecast for day two at Byron Dragway doesn’t look great, but fingers crossed we can get some dry weather and see some more amazing times!
