Loose
Rocker Racers Break in Incredible New VMP Surface
March
16 - 18, 2018, Dinwiddie, VA. - Tommy and
Judy Franklin purchased Virginia Motorsports
Park in Dinwiddie, Va. last fall. They have made
not only massive investments in the facility, but also
have put it through the paces already. The entire track
has been replaced from burnout box through the quarter-mile
with a world-class all-concrete surface, including new
drainage. Track manager and track prep guru Allen Carpenter
has been armed with more equipment to prep and maintain
the surface.
Only
a herculean effort allowed the grand reopening to take
place on schedule. Two weeks before Loose Rocker Promotions'
season-opening 9th Annual House of Payne Performance St.
Patrick's Classic presented by Calvert Kettle Corn, March
15-18, 2018, they were still pouring concrete. On Monday
of race week, the forms around the starting line barriers
were taken down. The forecast proclaimed excessively cold
temperatures for both morning and evening hours throughout
the weekend, along with the possibility of showers on
Saturday. It was among the most challenging circumstances
they could have been dealt, yet the new Virginia Motorsports
Park exceeded expectations.
Despite
literally freezing temperatures, the smooth surface and
expert track prep by Allen Carpenter allowed Friday's
Summit FAT $5K Warmup to run to completion, with incredible
performances. It was 29 degrees when Jeff Serra turned
on the final round win light in Steve Witherow's 4.60
dragster, over Matthew Edwards' Camaro in Top E.T. Richard
Alford, Jr. picked up his third Loose Rocker title in
a triumphant return of his venerable Chevelle in Footbrake,
stopping Liberty Classic winner Caleb Ellison in the finals.
Due
to the forecast, Saturday and Sunday's events were combined
into an ATI $15K Main Event, designed to span two days.
Even with a number of setbacks from mechanical failures,
the quality of the track allowed for several more rounds
to be put in the books than originally expected. Racing
paused Saturday night with 16 or less cars remaining in
each class, shortly before rain moved into the area.
After
Sunday morning drying, scraping, re-prepping, and rising
temperatures, the $15K resumed. Jason Weaver captured
the Top E.T. victory over Jeff Serra, and former Colonial
Classic winner Devin Dudley earned the biggest Big Check
of his career in Footbrake. Chris Dixon had won the fourth
round of Footbrake Saturday night, only to break the transmission
in the pits. Fate was on his side as he was able to make
the long round trip home to get his spare transmission,
and get through several more rounds to score the runner-up.
With
a beautiful sunny day and time on hand, Loose Rocker Promotions
added a Bonus Abruzzi FAT $5K on Sunday. In Top E.T.,
Jeff Duck, who made it to the semis in the $15K, took
out his teammate Jason Weaver in the semis of the $5K,
and went on to win a double-breakout final over Daren
Lotts. Lotts joined an elite club by laying down a perfect
run earlier in the day. Devin Dudley made his second Footbrake
final round appearance of the day, but Dennis Kessler
claimed the $5K Big Check.
Virginia
Motorsports Park established a high bar on its very first
weekend, despite numerous challenges. Racers and fans
alike can look forward to an incredible racing season!
FRIDAY
SUMMIT FAT $5K WARMUP
TOP
E.T.
WIN - Jeff Serra .017 4.638 (4.62) 145.22 mph
R/U - Matthew Edwards .033 6.379 (6.36) 102.39 mph
SEMIS: Shannon Justice, Tony Tull
FOOTBRAKE
WIN - Richard Alford, Jr .014 6.221 (6.16) 93.86 mph
R/U - Caleb Ellison .035 6.142 (6.17) 102.72 mph
SEMIS: Dave Dissinger, Austin Welch
---------------------------
SATURDAY-SUNDAY ATI $15K MAIN
EVENT
TOP
E.T.
WIN - Jason Weaver .009 4.425 (4.41)
R/U - Jeff Serra .013 4.749 (4.72)
SEMIS: Jeff Duck, Raider Campbell
FOOTBRAKE
WIN - Devin Dudley .015 6.517 (6.50)
R/U - Chris Dixon .011 6.658 (6.66)
SEMIS: Todd Thoman
---------------------------
SUNDAY ABRUZZI FAT $5K BONUS
RACE
TOP
E.T.
WIN - Jeff Duck .001 4.596 (4.60)
R/U - Daren Lotts .025 4.725 (4.75)
SEMIS: Jason Weaver
FOOTBRAKE
WIN - Dennis Kessler .008 5.640 (5.63)
R/U - Devin Dudley .011 6.564 (6.53)
SEMIS: Darin Sowers
---------------------------
California Car Cover Best Appearing Car:
Chad Traylor
Gibbs
Race Cars Best Engineered Car: Leon Tynes, Sr.
---------------------------
MotorManiaTV presented by Summit Racing Equipment Viewership
Views: 45,903
Hours Streamed: 32:49:00
Countries Reached: 144
Text
and photos: Michael Beard, Loose Rocker Promotions
