THE WAR OF THE WORLDS: FUEL ALTEREDS VS. PRO MODIFIEDS
by Chris and Tera Graves, Photos by Chris Graves, Tera Graves, Wes Ramsey, Steve Scott Thu, 2017-07-06 12:29
A tradition at the Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown, each driver signs a 24x36 metal poster of the event flyer which is presented to the winner of the event. Nick Poloson finds his spot, but little did he know at the time, this would become his to take home as the winner of the event.
The 5th Annual running of the Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown at North Star Dragway set the bar for summer drag racing events in the Southwest as a huge field of Outlaw Pro Mods and Outlaw Fuel Altereds jam packed the facility in Denton, Texas on June 30-July 1st. This unique event is the ultimate showdown of outlaws with absolutely no rules and no limits, a true run what you brung affair, open to any Pro Mod or Fuel Altered who wants to come mix it up with the big dogs. A titanic 24 car field will qualify for the Chicago style eliminator including the quickest 12 Pro Mods and quickest 12 Fuel Altereds. All first round winners would return for a round two shootout where the quickest winning Pro Mod and quickest winning Fuel Altered would advance to the final round. Giddy up boys and girls!
This two day affair featured two rounds of heads up qualifying under the lights on Friday night with a final qualifier and eliminations on Saturday. Both evenings the sky was lit up by Ray Kelley's "Game X-Change" Jet Dragster and of course, a huge fireworks show Saturday night. Also in attendance were the Southwest Heritage Racing Association Nostalgia Super Stock racers, Pro 5.80 and Pro 6.60 Index classes and Old School Backhalf series. With over 100 cars on the property it was nonstop action on one of the best hooking eighth mile tracks in the country. The Pro Mod and Fuel Altered teams were putting the power down as the first pair of the opening qualifying session set the pace for a wild weekend.
In a friendly grudge match, Jody Austin's "BushWhacker" AA/Fuel Altered lined up with former event winner Brandon Lewis in his "Bad Ass 57" Oklahoma based Pro Mod. Austin had only six runs on his newly completed Fuel Altered which was being tuned by NHRA Top Fuel crew chief Donnie Bender and the team made a statement early with a 3.74 blast at 174 mph to take the top spot right off the bat in the Fuel Altered field. Lewis pedaled his way to a 3.96 at 198 mph which held up for the number two qualifying position in the Pro Mod field. As qualifying concluded on Saturday evening, Doug Reisterer's nitrous assisted first generation Camaro Pro Mod took the pole with a 3.86 at 194 mph. Reisterer and Lewis were joined by Steve Wiley, Gaylen Smith, Doug Morales and Bob Alexander who all earned a spot in the top half of the Pro Mod field.
Red Line Shirt Club was in the house and offering up custom designed event shirts, which they quickly ran out of on Saturday as fans lined up to get their hands on a goody or two to take home.
The Fuel Altered teams showed no mercy with many teams dipping into the 3.80 range including number two qualifier Nick Poloson who posted a 3.81 at 185 mph, followed closely by Eric Buchanan's 3.83 at 190 mph. Ken Singleton and Mary Reep secured their position in the top half of the field with 3.86's and Raymond Dawson rounded out the top qualifiers in Fuel Altered with a 3.97 at 177 mph. With qualifying complete it was time to pair cars and unleash pure mayhem as the eager crowd highly anticipated the opening round of eliminations.
Fans showed up early to get their spot on the fence and in the stands. By the time the sun went down on Saturday night there wasn't a single empty seat in the house.
FUEL ALTERED FINAL QUALIFYING ORDER
1. Jody Austin - 3.74 @ 174
2. Nick Poloson - 3.81 @ 185
3. Eric Buchanan - 3.83 @ 190
4. Ken Singleton - 3.860 @ 186
5. Mary Reep - 3.869 @ 184
6. Raymond Dawson - 3.97 @ 177
7. John Umlauf - 4.15 @ 181
8. Mark Billington - 4.57 @ 116
9. Cory Holcomb - 4.65 @ 150
10. Darren Inman - 4.86 @ 140
11. Randy Mueller - 5.06 @ 124
12. Donny McSwain - (Broke)
13. Clint Cross - (Broke)
PRO MOD FINAL QUALIFYING ORDER
1. Doug Reisterer - 3.86 @ 194
2. Brandon Lewis - 3.96 @ 198
3. Steve Wiley - 3.97 @ 191
4. Gaylen Smith - 4.00 @ 176
5. Doug Morales - 4.07 @ 176
6. Bob Alexander - 4.13 @ 178
7. Harry Crane - 4.20 @ 170
8. Mike Cooper - 4.29 @ 157
9. Fernando Ayala Jr - 4.33 @ 164
10. Eddie Roach - 4.33 @ 167
11. Tony Strachan - 4.46 @ 159
12. Brandon McKinney - 4.79 @ 129
13. Ricky Cate - 5.32 @ 95
14. James Satterwhite - 6.37 @ 82
15. Steve Clements - No Time
Event director Chris Graves and North Star Dragway track owner Gene Nicodemus are all smiles as they prepare for a busy weekend ahead at the biggest event of the year at the facility.
Announcer David Rattan revving up the crowd for two days of spectacular drag racing action.
The pace went to a whole new level in first round as the gloves came off and some stellar runs were made by both sides of the field. Eight of the twelve first round winners were in the three second range led by Fuel Altered top qualifier Jody Austin's stellar 3.65 at 205 mph defeating Harry Crane. Brandon Lewis led the Pro Mod runners with a 3.82 at 200 mph which took out Mark Billington's close 3.87 at 189. Nick Poloson blasted to a career best 3.72 at 196 mph to knock out Mike Cooper and Doug Reisterer's 3.89 at 190 mph took down John Umlauf. With a total of seven Fuel Altereds and four Pro Mods earning first round win lights, the second round pairings were set and it was now time to let the big dogs eat.
Round two action was critical for two reasons, not only did you have to earn the win light running against the best of the best, but you also had to be the quickest winner of your class to advance to the final round. The wick was burning hot and fast as the teams came to the starting line loaded for bear. The only female in the field, Mary Reep in her "Grim Reeper" Outlaw Fuel Altered took a second round win with a 3.92 at 182 defeating Randy Mueller. Raymond Dawson's "High Octane" Outlaw Fuel Altered had a solo shot after Bob Alexander was unable to make the call. Dawson's car made a wicked move to the centerline and took out the 330' markers disqualifying his chance at the final. In a powerhouse match up, Nick Poloson and Brandon Lewis came to the line in a final round caliber bout. Both drivers were on their game on the starting line but Poloson had the ponies and thundered to a 3.75 at 199 mph to take out a slowing 5.59 by Lewis.
Jody Austin earned a second round win in a tire smoking 4.95 at 96 mph when Doug Reisterer went -.008 red on a great 3.89 pass at 191 mph. Gaylen Smith's "Texas Bounty Hunter" Pro Mod rolled out next alongside Ken Singleton's "High Risk" Outlaw Fuel Altered in the closest match of the round. Smith was off the line first and his clean 3.87 at 192 mph took the nod over Singleton's close 3.88 at 186 mph. In the final pair, with header flames belching from the pipes, Eric Buchanan's "Nitro Relapse" Fuel Altered owned and tuned by Terry Darby ripped off a 3.75 at 176 mph then erupted into flames at the top end. As oil and parts exited the block, Buchanan had his hands full at the top end but was able to bring his flaming machine to a safe stop as the fire was put out and he thankfully walked away uninjured. Steve Wiley put up a solid effort against Buchanan with a 3.87 at 190 mph but came up short at the stripe. With round two in the books it was Nick Poloson and Gaylen Smith who were final round bound to determine who would be crowned 2017 Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown Champion.
The "Sundown" AA/Fuel Altered team from San Antonio, Texas put on a show both on and off the track. As if header flames and 3.70's weren't enough, let's throw in back up girls and the celebration erupting from the back of the tow truck on every pass they made. True entertainers, the duo of driver Nick Poloson and tuner Tom Wood combined to provide a ruthless assault on the Pro Mod competition at North Star Dragway. Congratulations to the entire team on a hard earned, well deserved and very entertaining win at the 5th Annual Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown!
Heading into the final round, it was a toss-up, both teams were capable of 3.70 range passes and both were hungry for the win as we were guaranteed a first time event winner. As the crept into the stage beams, Poloson's nitro burner cackling in full force as he lit the final stage bulb while Smith's blown alcohol door slammer was revved up and ready to scream as he lit the final bulb. The ambers dropped and they were off, both drivers with good reaction times. Side by side they charged down the strip almost dead even at half-track. Poloson's car was shooting header flames past the rear wing and Smith's machine was wide open and screaming at the top of its lungs as they neared the stripe. The starting line erupted in celebration as Poloson's 3.85 at 193 mph narrowly defeated Gaylen Smith's 3.87 at 194 mph in the closest final round in event history.
What an epic conclusion to one of the wildest events in track history at North Star Dragway. A capacity crowd was treated to a stellar two day performance from these ultimate outlaws. Class winners included Vic Corlett in Nostalgia Super Stock, Scott Peairson in Old School Backhalf, Paul Harris in Pro 5.80 Index and Gus Deatherage in Pro 6.60 Index. Congratulations to all the winners of the 5th Annual Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown. With the win for team Fuel Altered, their record improves to Fuel Altereds 4 - Pro Mods 1 in the five year history of this unrivaled event. North Star Dragway would like to thank title sponsor Lone Star Forklift for their continue support. Wishing you were there? Be sure to mark your calendars for July 6th-7th, 2018 as the 6th Annual Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown will bring plenty of action back to Denton, Texas as the Pro Mods will seek revenge on the Fuel Altereds.
Gaylen Smith's "Texas Bounty Hunter" Pro Mod was a crowd favorite and after qualifying fourth, Smith defeated Darren Inman in round one to move into second round against Ken Singleton. Smith's quicker 3.87 at 192 mph narrowly defeated Singleton's close 3.88 at 186 mph. Smith, the only Pro Mod to tally a second round win, put up a valiant effort in the final round against Nick Poloson. Smith's 3.87 at 194 mph came up just short at the stripe in the final to Poloson's 3.85 at 193 mph.Precision Fireworks provided an excellent fireworks show to thrill the crowd between the second round and final round of the Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered action in TexasNostalgia Super Stockers brought wheelstanding old school action to the variety of cars in competition over the weekend.Vic Corlett of Palestine, Texas lays down a heavy burnout his "Thunderstruck" 1967 Dodge Dart Nostalgia Super Stocker. Scott Peairson and the "Texas Turbo Boys" were on their game in Old School Backhalf compeition with their turbocharged Ford Mustang.Gus Deatherage with the wheels up in his "Borrowed Money" Vega Wagon during Pro 6.60 Index eliminations.Paul Harris is always a tough competitor in the Pro 5.80 Index class with his deadly Corvette.Kevin Hargett went for a wild ride in Friday night qualifying when his turbocharged Outlaw Pro Mod blew the tires off and shot across the track impacting the wall at the top end. Hargett thankfully walked away from this hair raising incident but was unable to continue in competition.Mary Reep's "Grim Reeper" Outlaw Fuel Altered lines up with Steve Wiley's "Texas Grim Reaper" Outlaw Pro Mod during Friday night qualifying.Clint Cross wheeling the "Crossways" AA/Fuel Altered on Friday night. Unfortunately for Cross, a broken rod ended their weekend after this pass as a major contender for the Fuel Altered side was sidelined early. Ricky Cate's "Dangerous Toy" blown Outlaw Pro Mod Chevy II struggled during qualifying, but was able to squeeze into the first round field as an alternate for Tony Strachan who bowed out with transmission issues. Cate came up short to Mary Reep in first round eliminations.Two heavy hitters who were bit by parts attrition. "Pro Mod Bob" Alexander qualified sixth but transmission issues kept him from making the call for first round, while Donny McSwain's "Wild One" Outlaw Fuel Altered had high hopes coming into the weekend but a rear end failure knocked them out on Friday night. Ray Kelley's "Game X-Change" Jet Dragster wowed the crowd both nights with a huge fire showEddie Roach's Pro Mod and Cory Holcomb's Fuel Altered with the laundry out at the top end. Roach's 4.33 at 167 mph wasn't enough to hold off Ken Singleton in round one competition. Holcomb had the "Black Widow" altered hopped up in first round and blew the tires off at the hit in his match with Steve Wiley. Jody Austin's "BushWhacker" AA/Fuel Altered took the top qualifying position and ran low elapsed time of the event in the first round with an incredible 3.65 at 205 mph. Austin smoked the tires in the second round which kept this heavy hitting Fuel Altered from making a trip to the final round. Overall, a stellar weekend for this team who had only six test runs on the car before heading into the event. Austin was benefitting from tuning help from NHRA Top Fuel crew chief Donnie Bender. Mike Cooper made the tow from El Dorado, Kansas in his procharged Firebird and qualified eighth in the Pro Mod field with a 4.29 at 157 mph. Cooper fell to eventual event winner Nick Poloson in the opening round, but looked good doing it.Ken Singleton's "High Risk" Outlaw Fuel Altered kept quiet and hid under the radar with his 3.80 bracket car. Singleton and company posted a 3.89, 3.89, 3.88 and 3.88 in their four passes at the event proving to be the most consistent entry of the entire field. Singleton was on the wrong end of the closest race of the round in round two against event runner up Gaylen Smith. Steve Wiley and the "Texas Grim Reaper" Outlaw Pro Mod team represented the Pro Mod contingent well by qualifying third and taking a first round win over Cory Holcomb. In the second round, Wiley took the starting line advantage but ran out of ponies as his 3.87 at 190 mph came up short to the nitro AA/Fuel Altered of Eric Buchanan who posted a 3.75 at 176 mph. Raymond Dawson's "High Octane" Outlaw Fuel Altered got extremely close to the wall in his first round single as his opponent Brandon McKinney lost fire on the burnout.
The "Time Warp Racing" team owned by Paula Doggett and driven by Darren Inman nabbed the number 10 qualifying position in the Fuel Altered field with their Ford powered blown alcohol entry. Inman 4.76 at 137 mph came up short to Gaylen Smith's pedaling 4.15 at 174 mph in the first round of eliminations.
Doug Reisterer qualified number one in the Pro Mod field with his wicked quick nitrous assisted Camaro. Reisterer took a first round win over John Umlauf's "Wicked Wedge" before going -.008 red in the second round against Jody Austin.
Doug Morales' 4.07 qualified him number five in the Pro Mod field but cylinder head issues kept him from making the call for first round in his nitrous powered Camaro.
Eric Buchanan wheeled Terry Darby's "Nitro Relapse" to a nice 3.75 at 176 mph in the second round of eliminations, but a top end fire and blown up engine ended their efforts in spectacular form at North Star Dragway. Buchanan thankfully walked away uninjured from the wild ride.
Quite possibly the most favored Fuel Altered coming into competition, the Raymond Austin owned, Mark Billington driven "Magic Dragon" entry struggled in qualifying and backed that up with a surprising first round exit falling to Brandon Lewis.John Umlauf towed down to Texas from Rolla, Missouri in his "Wicked Wedge" nitro burning AA/Fuel Altered. Umlauf and company laid down consistent passes and had no parts attrition, but his 4.12 at 178 mph pass in first round came up short to Doug Reisterer's 3.89 at 190 mph.Brandon Lewis came into the event as the only Pro Mod to win in the four year history of the Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown. Lewis struggled in qualifying but found his mojo in round one as his 3.82 at 200 mph took out Mark Billington. In second round, Lewis' struggles continued as he slowed to a 5.59 and had the best seat in the house to watch Nick Poloson march into the final round with a 3.75 at 199 mph. A regular attendee of the Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown, Harry Crane from East End, Arkansas posted consistent runs during qualifying and came into eliminations in the number seven spot. A first round draw with Jody Austin spelled doom for Crane as his car shook hard off the line and made a move to the center stripe while Austin ripped off low elapsed time of the meet with a 3.65 at 205 mph.Brandon McKinney squeezed into the Pro Mod field on the bump spot with a 4.79 but struggled with reverser issues and was forced to shutoff in his first round match with Raymond Dawson.Randy Mueller made his first appearance at the Pro Mod -vs- Fuel Altered Showdown and although he wasn't the fastest altered in the house, Mueller made his way past first round by defeating James Satterwhite. In round two, Mueller fell to fellow altered racer Mary Reep. Gus Deatherage celebrates his Pro 6.60 Index win with runner up Rickey Mayes. In the final, Deatherage's 6.59 at 101 mph broke out less than Mayes' 6.58 at 101 mph.
Paul Harris scored the Pro 5.80 Index win over Don Caver. Harris' starting line advantage and 5.86 at 122 mph held off Caver's 5.77 break out at 117 mph.
2016 SHRA Nostlagia Super Stock Champion Vic Corlett took the win in the final round over David Ardoin Jr. Corlett was dead on with a 7.05 on a 7.05 dial at 96 mph to defeat Ardoin's break out 6.40 at 102 mph on a 6.41 dial.Scott Peairson's Ford Mustang took top honors in Old School Backhalf over Rickey Jackson. Jackson went very red at the starting line and wasted a 5.06 at 139 mph while Peairson cruised to a 5.34 at 109 mph event win.
