Greg Godwin (right) met Robbie Matthews in the Pro Mod final.

Words and photos by Ian Tocher

Number-one qualifiers registered wins in three of four heads-up, no-breakout classes at Orangeburg Dragstrip June 5-6, the first of six scheduled events this year for the newly formed Coca-Cola Outlaw Doorslammer Series (ODSS) presented by Hooters.

Among those prevailing from the top starting position were Tony Johnson in Outlaw 10.5, Greg Godwin in Pro Modified and Outlaw 275 Drag Radial racer Wes Whittle. Only local driver Chris Tuten from nearby Pelion, South Carolina, broke the trend, winning in Limited Street from last place in the qualifying order. Todd Sinclair also picked up his second race win in as many days in a combined 6.0 and 7.0 index class.

In a short, four-car field due to breakage and accidents for several competitors during Saturday’s three qualifying rounds, Johnson opened with a 4.52 pass on Sunday to beat Curtis Rhodes and his ’68 Camaro from Childersburg, Alabama, before facing off with Mark Swanson in the final.

It was over at the start, as Swanson and his Procharger-equipped Camaro moved seven-thousandths of a second too soon, while Johnson powered his supercharged ’68 Camaro to a winning 4.53 lap at 175.23 mph.