Rex Kelley’s “safe combination” got him another middle-of-the-pack qualifying berth at 4.12/180 but a distraction caused the Alabamian to falter against Johnny Pilcher in the opening match of the event.
Phil Osborne’s brutally quick BAE-powered Florida rig hit a 4.00/183.92 to qualify fifth but the winged Stingray was unable to repair damage before eliminations, allowing Bennie McDonald’s green ‘53 ‘Vette into the field as an alternate.
In the past decade, Taylor Lastor has driven everything from Pro Stock cars to Pro Stock Trucks to Outlaw 10.5 cars but the Knoxville veteran chose Memphis to debut his beautiful new Brad Anderson-powered Pro Extreme ‘68 Camaro; a best of 4.17/177 in its first event shows the car will be competitive.
J.T. Thompson finally had a truly local National Pro Nitrous event at which to run the family’s “Fugitive” Trans Am but the Mississippi brother team’s 632-inch Pontiac motor, the only powerplant in the PN field under 705 inches, fell short of the 4.23 bump with a best of 4.36/164.
Sonny Tindal’s immaculate new Mauney-built Grand Am was the Pro Nitrous underdog of the event. Qualifying 14th at 4.22/173, the South Carolina Pro Mod pioneer got past the ‘63 Stingrays of Randy Weatherford and Dennis Radford before falling to eventual winner Steve Vick in the semis with a best of 4.20/172. Launches like this certainly prove the chassis works!
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