HOUSLEY HANDLES PILCHER

Words and photos by Erica Ortiz-Lugo
9/2/04

Terry Housley earned a hard-fought victory in the Dixie Pro Stock race Aug. 29, at Phenix City, AL.

The Dixie Pro Stock season is nearing its close for 2004, yet the competition continues to stiffen. The DPS tour landed at Phenix Motorsports Park Aug. 29, where the Alabama sun was out in full force for the first round of qualifying. Scorching track conditions would prove tricky for the 13 nitrous-assisted DPS Pro Modified machines gathered in the staging lanes for a shot at the eight-car field.

Ben Ledford gave the crowd a scare in the first round of qualifying when his Willys carried the front end higher and higher until well past the 330-foot mark. When the car drifted toward the centerline, Ledford was forced to lift to get it back under control, but wasn’t able to avoid the cones and track markers. He still posted a 4.329 at 149.97 mph on this wild ride, but unfortunately, with damage to the front end, his weekend was over.

By the time the second and final qualifying round was completed, Johnny Pilcher had narrowly taken the pole with a 4.165 at 172.69 over the 1/8-mile distance, with Terry Housley a very close second at 4.169 and 172.97 mph. Keith Baker, David Griffis, and James Hancock followed with times in the 4.20s, Spike Thomas and Ben Ledford posted 4.30s, and Ron Smith sat on the bump with a 4.409 at 163.69 mph. However, Thomas and Ledford were forced to drop off the ladder with injured rides, giving numbers nine and 10 alternates Thomas Lee and Tori Cagle passes into the main event.

Johnny Pilcher qualified on top of the Dixie Pro Stock field at Phenix City and made it all the way to the final round, where he faced off against number-two qualifier Terry Housley.