05/18/2026
This past weekend I was back racing at Gateway/WWTR. Saturdays races were for NHRA's 75th anniversary diamond Wallys for all of the winners. There was rain in the area in the morning but with a little delay in the start time we were able to still race that day. I made it through rounds 1 and 2, but there was a small issue with the power to the tree which brought an end of racing at the start of 3rd round on Saturday. Early Sunday morning continued with round 3 of racing, which I picked up wins in both Pro and Sportsman with the blind dials from no morning time run. I lost the next round in Pro at 8 cars remaining. In Sportsman I kept going rounds and made it into the final round, again against Joe Renaud. Now the 3rd time we've raced each other in a final this season. This time the stakes were higher, for a Wally. I wasn't going make it easy for him to get the win. I put down a .002 light to start off the run then picked up the win on a double breakout running .014 under to Joe's .053 under. This was win #4 on the season (52 total wins) out of 5 finals, and finally my 1st Wally.
Shortly after the Saturday's race finished we started time runs for the sunday race. I made it through the buyback rounds without needing them, picking up points in the championship hunt. I lost 4th round in Pro with 8 cars remaining on a double breakout to the reigning Pro champ Tommy Barbero and also 4th round in Sportsman with 6 cars remaining giving the stripe back by .002.
I made 21 passes this weekend with the shortened time runs and exceeded the goals I wanted to meet in points for the weekend. I should still be 2nd place in Sportsman and believe I have taken over the points lead in the Pro class.
I hope to keep the win streak going for Team Mark 1, and Wood Art Decor and More, with it still being early in the season.
The AMT race engine and Ken Jones carb have been a killer setup this season.