South Texas Winter Shootout at San Antonio Raceway, Sunday 11/20

by Jay Hallas | Posted on Sunday, November 20th, 2016

By JM Hallas

Marion, TX., – With two days of racing behind them, drivers had one more shot to pick up some cash as the South Texas Winter Shootout concluded on the drag strip just outside of San Antonio. After near freezing temperatures overnight the sun was a warm welcome with temperatures again rising to a comfortable high-60’s during the day. Time trials were delayed a bit giving track temperatures a chance come back.

Today it was another $6000 in (Electronics), $3250 in (Foot Brake) and $350 for the Jr. Dragster winners ready for the taking. Quite a nice chunk of change available for a Sunday afternoon drive and to cap off any racers season.

Last nights big money went to Brent Ritter and Lewis Cleveland who split the pot in the 6K to win Electronics bracket race. Peeps Pennington picked up the win in the eight-car Electronics Shootout over Hunter Patton. Foot Brake saw Ryan McDonnell and Todd Zampese divide up the money in the bracket race. Dustin Bradford, took home the victory in the Foot Brake portion of the Shootout over Jason Patterson. In Jr, Dragster it was Gianni Carrola scoring the victory.

Dialing for Dollars

Starting with Junior Dragsters, third generation racer, Ty Farmer led early, going dead on with an 05. Yesterdays dominance by the Foot Brake class ended with no one in the running today. But the Electronics cars took their best shot at Farmer’s time with a half dozen going dead on their number. About halfway through David Cain(Marion) in his Mission Auto Parts, Brando Custom Paint, 99 Innovative Chassis went 4.7500 on his 4.75 dial-in(Dead on, double 0) or about as close to perfect as you can get, to take home the pot of about a grand. This, despite struggling with electronics gremlin throughout the weekend.

Electronics (Box)

After a long weekend of racing that saw pleasant sunny days, but chilly nights the two finalists in Electronics choose to call it a draw. Cole Herbold, in Herborld Brothers Drilling, Sunset Race Engines, Land Shark Chassis was slated to meet Jeremy Hofler, in his Pro 1 Safety, Ford Bronco II. Well twice actually. Due to a quirk in timing, Hofler(Kennedale) was forced to run Steve Harvey(no not that one) twice in the semis. Hofler won both meetings against S. Harvey(Rockwall). Herbold(Seguin), of course, had to make two bye passes, doing a break the beams and back out pass, on both.

Foot Brake (No-box)

Four-way Split in Foot Brake

With four cars remaining in Foot Brake all the drivers opted to pool all the money and do a four way split. Those four were C. Herbold, who was still running in the Electronics class, Mac Garcia, Clyde Haynie and Todd Zampese, who took the split last night as well.

In the final eight Garcia(San Antonio) in his Nogalitos Gear, Mission Racing, Alamo Speed Shop, 72 Maverick beat Jason Patterson as the two wheel standers went at it. Haynie(Jewett), in his 67 Chevy II ousted last night co-winner Ryan McDonnell in his San Antonio Hydro Grafix, Roadster. T. Zampese(Universal City), in his shorty Fox Chassis, had to do a rerun where he beat Benny Harrell in his Pontiac Firebird. C. Herbold had the bye to the quarterfinals.

Jr. Dragster

Jr. Dragsters would have seen last years World Finals Champion, Kenneth Hillin, against last nights runner-up, Graeme Rufenacht. The two decided to take the split of the money and not run. Hillin(San Antonio), in his 2015 JRC Chassis got a bye into the finals while Rufenacht(Round Rock) beat Tyler Farmer in the semi.