Dunphy Takes a Step Closer to History at Drag Week
A nine-year-old Hot Rod Drag Week record is under threat following another solid day of competition at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, PA.
Despite initial concerns about rain, day three of Drag Week went ahead without influence from the weather. Cool air provided ideal conditions for horsepower and several racers took advantage.
Ned Dunphy remained in the overall lead with a 6.166 pass for a 6.152 average. The pass came following a few hiccups getting RPM to build in the burnout. That run kept him on target for a potential world record, should he maintain the average below Jeff Lutz’s mark of 6.191. Anything in the 6.1s or even low 6.2s will be good news for Dunphy and his SMX-powered Dodge Viper tomorrow.
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Bryant Goldstone has taken second place overall following an impressive 6.277 (6.481A) out of his Corvette. Goldstone had a busy morning replacing rear brakes on the new car after a long night on the road.
Former second-place holder Graham Hayes is unfortunately out of competition. The Nova made one messy pass early in the day before returning for a nice 6.35, but two rods exited the big-block Chevy. That means Steven Spiess has now taken over the lead in Ultimate Iron with a 6.830 average following a 6.852 pass today.
Incoming Pro Street Power adder leader Nick Rinehart waited until after midday to make his pass, which lit the scoreboards at 7.040/197 mph (7.105A), his best ET and speed of the week.
Pro Street Naturally Aspirated saw Jeremiah Kirby with problems, opening the door for Scott Miller. Miller had issues of his own when the steering wheel break off the spokes on his first run, yet he clocked an 8.90 at 140 mph. He came back for a 7.935 (7.935A) to take the lead.
Modified found Scott Glassbrook continuing to stay up front, one and done with an 8.345 at 157 mph, his best of the week.
Super Street Small Block Power Adder is proving really interesting. After David Diehl’s crash, Mike Jovanis assumed the lead, but a 9.264 dragged his average back to an 8.217 on day three, allowing Chris Welch to go number one with his 7.965 average in the convertible Mustang.
All Motor Small Block leader Glen Sheeley dropped another world record on day three, cutting an 8.332 at 160 mph (8.357A).
Big news out of Street Race Small Block Power Adder as Randy Seward nipped a right-side head gasket and is out of competition. Rick Steinke continued to collect the 8.50 time slips, this time an 8.504, for an 8.504 average.
Street Race Big Block NA is looking like one of the tightest classes with the top three separated by just six hundredths of-a-second. Keith Seaman's flat blue '70 Chevelle (9.701A) leads Ron Rhodes’ 1967 Camaro (9.747A) and Gregory Weigart’s Firebird (9.768A).
For the second day in a row, the top three in A/Gas clocked eight-second runs. Wayne Baker is still numero uno with a quick 8.813 average.
Full results are here.
The day’s drive was a 155-mile jaunt between Maple Grove Raceway and Cecil County Dragway. We didn’t get to see as much of the countryside today as yesterday, but for racers who wanted to some shopping the checkpoints at Eastwood Company and American Speed Center of York were well-suited. While the racing was unaffected by rain, the same could not be said of the somewhat soggy drive.
Day four of Hot Rod Drag Week takes place at Cecil County Dragway tomorrow. See you there! Check out more photos from today below.
