Words and photos by Ian Tocher
3/25/05

It took Joey Martin just seven weeks to construct a new car for Outlaw 10.5 action and just one event to put it in the winner’s circle. Martin, driving for car owner Tim Tindle, debuted an all-new 1968 Camaro (shown) at the BTE Holley Outlaw All-Star Series season opener March 18-20, at Huntsville Dragway, and advanced to defeat Chuck Ulsch in the 10.5 final round.

Martin also entered a blown '41 Willys in the Outlaw Pro Mod category, but Bil Clanton took the event title in that class with his ’53 Studebaker. Also scoring wins at Huntsville were Ronnie Davis in Outlaw Automatic Pro Mod, Terry Woodson in Limited Street, Heath Bell in EZ Street, and Lizon Walker, Nicky Ewing, and Kevin Thompson in the index classes.

Lizon Walker won the 5.30 index class with his 540 c.i. nitrous-assisted '68 Camaro. Walker, from Hiram, GA, had to replace the battery and water pump in his car after qualifying in the number-one position, but said his biggest obstacle to overcome was replacing the transmission in his tow vehicle just to get to Huntsville. "I need to thank Jason Motes for his help with that," he said. Walker left with a .405 reaction and ran 5.308 in the final, while his opponent broke out.  

OUTLAW 10.5

Terry Robbins set the Year One Outlaw 10.5 Series abuzz during the opening round of qualifying with a record-setting 4.534-seconds pass at 158.23 mph over the Huntsville eighth mile. "It ran 2.99 to the 330-foot mark on that pass, which I’m sure is a record, too," Robbins said later. Martin wound up second on the qualified list with a 4.556 and set a new speed record at 162.28 mph in the second round of qualifying, held Sunday morning after dew on the track forced an early quitting time on Saturday night. The top-five qualifiers also included Craig Miller, Ulsch, and Bryan Morris.

Terry Robbins had his 2002 Camaro flying at Huntsville and appeared headed to the final when he suffered a fuel backfire on the launch in his semi-final match against Chuck Ulsch.