Smith Continues Domination of Texas Outlaw Pro Mods

Text by Celeste Smith

Mother Nature didn't know if she was a drag racing fan Saturday night or not. The night started out great, not too hot and not that windy BUT later on in the race, we were on rain delay several times for a light mist/sprinkle and then the wind picked up after the last spinkle. After two rounds of qualifying, here's what went down......

#1 Gaylen Smith - 3.933 at 193 mph **Top MPH points**
#2 Mark Daly - 4.018 at 175 mph
#3 Bill Doucet - 4.081 at 191 mph
#4 Michelle Wilson - 4.247 at 171 mph
#5 Jackie Deaver - 4.355 at 130 mph
#6 Tim Cruce - 4.364 at 165 mph
#7 Chuck Nuytten - 4.499 at 145 mph
#8 Mel "Sho-Nuff" Jackson - 4.521 at 158 mph
#9 Chuck Poindexter - 4.652 at 150 mph
#10 Jerry Hunt - 4.681 at 124 mph
#11 Marty Neely - 4.700 at 149 mph
#12 Car# 324 (No Name) - 5.020 at 149 mph
#13 Joseph Butler - 5.585 at 125 mph
#14 Car # 4270 (No Name) - 5.727 at 85 mph
#15 Clint Satterfield - 6.947 at 88 mph

First round:

Michelle Wilson (W) 4.892 at 106 mph (.072 RT)
Jackie Deaver (RU) 4.191 at 163 mph (-.044 RT) Red Light

I'm not sure if Michelle saw Jackie's red light and lifted or if she had traction problems. I was in the staging lanes and didn't get to watch the race.

Bill Doucet (W) 4.071 at 157 mph (.045 RT)
Tim Cruce (RU) 4.620 at 158 mph (.003 RT) **Best Reaction Time**

Tim got out of the gate first but has been fighting electrical problems and has not been able to get the performance out of the car that he wants. Bill was on another nice consistent run and takes the win.

Mark Daly (W) 4.016 at 173 mph (.085 RT)
Chuck Poindexter (RU) 4.652 at 151 mph (-.028 RT) Red Light

After smacking the wall in the Beretta earlier this year, Chuck Poindexter brings the "Luvamaro" back out. He failed to make the show but filled in for Chuck Nuytten who qualified but unfortunately hit the wall and caught fire in first round qualifying. Chuck was okay but the car was not. Thank goodness you're okay Chuck. Mark is driving John Heath's car out of Missouri and made another great run.

Gaylen Smith (W) 3.924 at 193 mph (.165 RT) **Low ET points**
Mel "Sho-Nuff" Jackson (RU) 5.042 at 108 mph (.038 RT)

Mel was going for the win with the holeshot advantage but he was unable to keep up with the hard charging Hemi in the other lane driven by Gaylen Smith.

Finals:

Gaylen Smith (W) 3.993 at 190 mph (.016 RT)
Mark Daly (RU) 4.165 at 156 mph (.062 RT)

Due to the windy weather conditions Michelle chose to forfeit her semi-final round to Gaylen and Bill Doucet was unable to make his round against Mark because of breakage so we went straight into the finals. Gaylen left first and never looked back. If he had looked back, he would have seen Mark Daly sideways crossing into his lane and ending up backwards up against the retaining wall. Again, thank goodness that Mark was okay.

Congratulations to Gaylen Smith and the Texas Bounty Hunter Crew for their 3rd victory in a row and congrats to Mark Daly/John Heath for their runner-up finish as well.

Thanks to Sandy and Sammy and all the Dallas Raceway staff for a great track surface and coping with Mother Nature!