“My plan is finish the event and average faster than last year,” said Ridenour of his plans. I’ve been involved with drag-and-drive events since 2013, so I see other failures and try to avoid those.”

Once action got started on track, some competitors opened with easy “A to B” passes to officially complete Sick Week. Then, the gloves came off and the final battles got under way!

Bart is looking forward to Sick Week. “The event looks like it is very family oriented, and Sick Ward is really cool too.”

Brian planned to shave around 200 pounds of weight by swapping in lighter seats, battery, cables, driveshaft and fasteners.

“All this money we wrap up into these cars, I want to be able to actually enjoy them instead of loading it in the trailer to go to a track.”

Manny Buginga is changing the game, as the multi-time series champion is putting two competitive race cars and the teams to back them up for lease in 2023.

“The distance from track to track seems much more relaxed than some other events, and I know every track is top notch. Just to say I made passes at Gainesville and SGMP is pretty cool, but I have to get there first.”

“All the lessons I’ve learned are the ones that are really hard”
- Mike Finnegan

“I hope to be competitive in Rowdy Radial this time. My new engine and turbos have shown promising low 5-second elapsed times.”

“The feeling of traveling with other racers on the streets and highways is a feeling like no other. I didn’t know drag racing could be much cooler until I experienced a drag and drive event.”

“We had insane weather, which helped. But there’s much more left I think.”

What brings Bill Spangler from Ohio to Florida to participate in Sick Week? “I like the format, and who doesn't like being in Florida in February?”

Day four sent hundreds of enthusiasts to South Georgia Motorsports Park, an all-concrete-racing track that has produced dozens of records from the drag radial and heads-up racing world.

Paganoni decided to go outside the box for power, converting the Fox-body to a Barra Australian Ford 4 liter six cylinder engine.

“My first goal is to finish Sick Week. I’d also like to run an 8.5-second pass each day, but that will depend on the drives and how the week shakes out.”