Todd Moyer’s exhaust flames matched the paint job on his ’92 Camaro Saturday night. Moyer, from Pasadena, TX, qualified 20th of 28 entries, but still got to compete on raceday since ORSCA’s policy is to have an all-run field up to 32 cars. He lost in the opening round to Jack Barfield, however.

Jack Barfield made a great save Saturday night after getting into the grass that lines the Carolina Dragway strip (but is scheduled for paving up to the walls in the off season) and wound up in the number-13 qualifying position. The Savannah, GA, driver had his ’02 Camaro hooked up and flying for eliminations, though, and made it to the third round on raceday after defeating Texans Todd Moyer and Jeff Naiser. In round three, Barfield got out first against another Texas racer, Rick Thornton, but had to shut off early and Thornton advanced up the ladder.

Event winner Grant McCrary said he struggled early in qualifying with his 2005 Mustang, but was able to start third after figuring out a tune-up he knew would also work for eliminations. After a first-round bye, McCrary easily handled Michael Martin in round two, edged Tony Johnson in round three, and dispatched Jimmy Blackmon from the semis. “The boost controller cut off just for a split second, but it was just enough for him to drive right by me,” said Blackmon, who had a .050 advantage off the tree.

For the final round, McCrary lined up beside fellow Texan Rick Thornton and his ’65 Corvette. The anticipation ultimately got the best of Thornton as he left .356 too soon, handing the win to McCrary. “Actually, I didn’t know that he redlit, but I saw him take off, so I thought I was late and I let go, but I ended up redlighting, too,” McCrary explained. “He was way early and I looked up and saw the win light, but also about that time, man, it chunked a sprag right out of the Lenco so I got really, really lucky. I had luck on my side today.

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