Jim Wien's NHRA-legal AA/AT won the second race of the series and qualified at the third with a 4.43. The Missouri machinist built both the chassis and the 388 cubic inch mouse motor and also drives the car himself. Now that's a hot-rodder.

The third race of the season held August 14 was typical of what this series has to offer. Racers from four states including Alabama and Virginia were trying to qualify for the 16-car “Outlaw” doorslammer field. Engine combinations were almost as varied as the body styles and paint jobs. There were Roots type supercharged engines, a Pro Charger-equipped Vette, a couple of turbocharged small blocks, several nitrous oxide-injected cars and at least one IHRA-legal 815 cubic inch Pro Stocker.

At this next to last race of the series, three regulars from the NHRA Pro Mod races showed up: Bill Hill, Marty McGinnis and Zach Barklage who is currently third in NHRA Pro Mod Championship points. Many of the Pro Street and Outlaw Street hitters from the four-state area turned up as well.

These races consist of two qualifying laps and four rounds of eliminations all completed in one day. It is a serious endurance test for  crews, drivers and even the fans who usually have to stay until the wee hours of the morning to see the final round. This race saw the top four qualifying spots split evenly between supercharged and non-supercharged.

Cody Barklage

NHRA regular Zach Barklage drove his Chad Wilson-tuned, hemi-powered, Jerry Bickel-built 2004 Grand Am to the pole with a stellar 4.10. Series point leader Donnie Little who has dominated Outlaw racing in the Midwest for the past few years qualified his nitrous-equipped, Terry Murphy-built ‘68 Camaro into the second spot with a season best 4.18.  Zach Barklage’s 16-year-old brother Cody became (I believe) the youngest driver to ever qualify for a professional class at a sanctioned track by driving the family’s blown ‘72 GTO Judge to a 4.562.