Most of the top half of the qualified field advanced with the exception of number-three qualifier Elijah Morton, who got beat by John Montecalvo. In the second round number-one qualifier Bert Jackson, who beat Sylvester Barnes in the first round, advanced into the semi-finals on a bye run due to his being the low qualifier.
In the semi-finals Patrick and his Mustang lined up against the Goforth’s Chevy Cobalt and then proceeded to red-light, wasting a 4.116/174.57 timing that probably would have beaten Goforth’s 4.123 effort. Patrick must have had some kind of malfunction as he left .332 before the green! In the other Ford versus Chevy semi, Jeff Dobbins laid down a 4.132/174.57 which easily covered Jackson’s 4.173 effort.
In the final it was all Goforth as Dobbins had traction issues and could only watch Goforth rocket down the Rockingham track to a 4.127/175.50 pass to Dobbins’ troubled 6.207/93.18.
Conclusion
ADRL’s Dragstock has truly become one of those must-attend drag races, especially if you are a fan of doorslammer racing. The body styles and brands feature cars from the 1930’s to present day. Virtually every type of engine combination a racer can think of is being used, from four-cylinder turbocharged 180-inch combinations to alcohol- and nitro-burning supercharged V-8’s to 900 inch gas/carbureted powerplants using nitrous.
Dragstock has become the Mecca for drag racers and fans who crave “run what ya brung” heads-up racing. It has also become a true international race with drag racers from all
over the planet making the trip to this race to get one of ADRL’s coveted “Minutemen” as well as the chance to win at Dragstock.
Uniqueness is what makes a race great and Dragstock is certainly that. It is the only major motorsports event that I know of where tickets are free. It is the only race left in professional drag racing where racers are allowed to use their imagination and cunning without being punished for innovation.
On Saturday night a full house of fans stayed until the final round not willing to get up and leave for fear of losing their seat or missing the action. How do the racers feel about it? Perhaps Pro Stock racer Robert Patrick put it best when he told ADRL president Kenny Nowling, “I’ve raced a long time and I’ve been in a lot of important races but I don’t get ‘goosebumps’ much any more. At this event I get them every time I come to the line."