Mike Hill, who last year ended Chevrolet’s dominance of Outlaw 10.5 competition at Rockingham Dragway, tries to make it three-in-a-row this week when he and his all-conquering 2006 Ford Mustang return to the Carolinas’ fastest track for the Holcomb Motorsports Spring Civil Wars.

Although his Ford overpowered the Chevy Camaro of fellow Georgian Michael Robinson to claim a $10,000 top prize at last year’s spring race, Hill will be hard-pressed to repeat in a field that is expected to include track record-holder Ken Rainwater of Kimberly, Ala.

Rainwater stunned the field last fall with a barrier-busting 4.484 second eighth-mile time that earned his 2003 Mustang the No. 1 starting position.  He likely will be joined this week by Pat Wheatley of Brandenburg, Ky., and the best of the Carolina Outlaws, Stacy McIntyre of Lawndale, in another Mustang, and Scott Hartley of Lenoir, in a 1968 Camaro.

Mike Hill, who last year ended Chevrolet’s dominance of Outlaw 10.5 competition at Rockingham Dragway, tries to make it three-in-a-row this week when he and his all-conquering 2006 Ford Mustang return to the Carolinas’ fastest track for the Holcomb Motorsports Spring Civil Wars.

Although his Ford overpowered the Chevy Camaro of fellow Georgian Michael Robinson to claim a $10,000 top prize at last year’s spring race, Hill will be hard-pressed to repeat in a field that is expected to include track record-holder Ken Rainwater of Kimberly, Ala.

Rainwater stunned the field last fall with a barrier-busting 4.484 second eighth-mile time that earned his 2003 Mustang the No. 1 starting position.  He likely will be joined this week by Pat Wheatley of Brandenburg, Ky., and the best of the Carolina Outlaws, Stacy McIntyre of Lawndale, in another Mustang, and Scott Hartley of Lenoir, in a 1968 Camaro.

The biggest threats to Hill’s continued dominance, however, will come from within his home state and a Georgia contingent that likely will include Jimmy Blackmon of Rockmart and his 1992 Pontiac Trans Am; Craig Miller of Savannah and his 1991 Camaro; Jack Barfield also of Savannah driving a 2002 Camaro; Steve Kirk of Monroe also driving a 2002 Camaro; and former champ Marcus Britt of Gray and his 1997 Camaro.

Because of the growing popularity of the Civil Wars series, this year’s opener has been expanded from two days to three with initial qualifying sessions for Outlaw 10.5 and all other heads-up classes scheduled Friday night in conjunction with the track’s weekly test-and-tune session.

Although the Outlaw 10.5 competition is the weekend’‘s featured event, the undercard is one of the most comprehensive in Civil Wars history with Outlaw Limited Street, SSCA Real Street, Outlaw Renegade Street, Outlaw 6.0, Outlaw 7.0, Trophy Street and the “Battle of the Rock” True Street Shootout.

Champions in each of those categories will be determined in Sunday eliminations with fields set after four qualifying sessions including three on Saturday.  Champions also will be crowned on a daily basis – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – in the Pro Tree Doorslammers, Sportsman Footbrake and Outlaw Open Comp classes.

Gates open at 2 p.m. Friday with bracket races beginning at 6 p.m. and pro qualifying at 8 p.m.  Saturday’s program includes pro qualifying sessions at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Show-and-Shine car show judging at 2 p.m.  Gates open Sunday at 9 a.m. with eliminations beginning at 12 noon.

 Adult tickets are $20 per day although discounts are available with the purchase of either two-day or three-day passes.  There is a $10 discount for active duty military personnel displaying proper identification.