Labbous, Davis take MMP Mega Race
Words and Photos by Hank Schmitt
2/27/06
t was almost a Family Feud final with a $20,000 winner's check on the line at Montgomery Motorsports Park Sunday night (2/26). Legendary drag racer Johnny Labbous, S
r. of Goodletsville, Tennessee almost made it into the finals against his son Johnny Jr. That would have been a really unusual race as both father and son were driving the same rear-engine dragster after Johnny Senior's car had mechanical problems. The purses were doubled for Sunday's race after a steady rain forced cancellation of Saturday's scheduled race.
As it turned out, Biloxi, Mississippi driver, race promoter and Internet journalist Tommy Castenado crashed the party and beat Johnny Labbous, Sr. to gain a spot in the finals against Johnny Labbous, Junior in the first mega race of the season at Montgomery Motorsports Park, now back in operation by George Howard racing.
 Super Pro Winner Johnny Labbous, Jr. (left to right) Johnny Labbous, Jr. Johnny Labbous, Sr. MMP Promoter George Howard. |
In the finals, Labbous, Junior prevailed with a 5.233 second run at 102.90 miles per hour on a 5.20 second dial-in with a .020 reaction time. Castenado had a slight edge off the starting line, but his dragster had a hiccup in the transmission and he had to settle for a 5.742 second run at 83.96 mph on his 4.77 second dial-in.
Doug Harper of Albertville, Alabama joined Johnny Labbous Senior as Super Pro semi-finalists.
In the Footbrake class, it was a case of racing buddies facing each other in the finals. Adam Davis of Cullman, Alabama and Jason Mcclure of Madison, Alabama race together at Huntsville Dragway and even traveled together to this event. They charged through a
 Footbrake winner Adam Davis of Dullman (left to right) Jason McClure, Adam Davis and Dana Kloet. |
quality field of footbrakers including current and former world champions to meet in the finals. Davis' '76 Nova ran a 6.922 second pass at 92.59 miles per hour on his 6.91-second dial-in for the win. McClure's 2000 Camaro ran a 8.068 second pass at 84.84 miles per hour for the breakout loss on his 8.12 second dial.
Veteran racer Larry Willis of Ashland, Alabama and John McKinney of Ragland, Alabama were the Footbrake semi-finalists.
During the event, Montgomery Motorsports Park promoter George Howard announced details of the track's weekly bracket program, which will begin on Saturday, March 4. Track gates will open at 4:00pm each Saturday with time trials beginning at 5:00pm and Round One Eliminations at 7:00pm.
The Super Pro winner at MMP each week will receive $1,000 with the runner-up receiving $300, semi-finalists $100 and quarter-finalists $25. In addition, 4th round winners will receive $25 round money. Super Pro tech cards will be $35.
In the Footbrake class, racers can race for a $500 top prize for free, paying only a $10 spectator admission. Footbrake runner-up will receive $100 and semi-finalists $50. 
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