[coverattach=1]Julian, NC - To say that Piedmont Dragway's Big Dog opener exceeded all expectations would be a tremendous understatement. With day one of the event being rained out last Thursday, fans came out in droves for Saturday's picture-perfect race day conditions. A stunning field of 27 Big Dog entries assembled themselves at Piedmont Dragway for a shot at the coveted K9-shaped trophy.
When the smoked cleared shortly before 10:00pm, Carmel, NY's Chris Rini was the last man standing in this 16 car shootout, after a sensational performance that put his Dodge Stratus in the winner's circle. Crediting new-found power from King, NC's Charlie Buck, Rini ran the table on Saturday with a string of 4-teen elapsed times.
In the tightest field ever for the Big Dog shootout, Rini motored his way to the top of the qualifying chart with a 4.14 @ 175mph. Rini, who campaigned the lone Dodge in Big Dog competition had only qualified for this event once in his career prior to Saturday. In an impressive outing last night, the New York native suddenly found himself going into eliminations from the pole position.
Rini escaped the first round with a little bit of luck after knocking the tires off at the hit of the throttle. His opponent, Virginia's J.D. Goad, was going for the knock-out punch out of the gate, but turned on the red with a -.001 reaction time. Both drivers clicked it early after peddling briefly.
Rini got it together in round two against Darrin Hoyle, who debuted a gorgeous, new Bickel Camaro for this event. Hoyle was out of the gate first with an .026, but his 4.21 came up short against Rini's 4.15 @ 174mph.
Rini then duplicated his performance from the previous round with another 4.15 in the semi-finals against Tracy Cockman. Cockman, who campaigns one of the few Ford products in Big Dog, left early on Rini with a -.020 rt.
This set up a thrilling final between Rini and Jason Harris, a two-time winner in Big Dog last season. Harris made it to the finals last night after stopping Ernie Everett in round one, followed by strong performances against Andy Beal and Joel Douglas in rounds two and three respectively.
Burnouts complete, both Harris and Rini are staged and ready. Out of the gate, Harris took the early lead, but Rini's Dodge unloaded the quickest pass in Big Dog eliminations with a 4.13 @ 175mph. Runner-up time for Harris was 4.20 @ 175mph.
Engine builder Charlie Buck, along with crew chief Scott Cozzoli and the entire team were waiting for Rini back at the starting line for the traditional Big Dog celebration. Rini, who was fresh off a final round appearance in NMCA competition in Bradenton, FL last week, was quick to thank Charlie Buck for the 784 Hemi that delivered his first career Big Dog trophy. "In addition to Charlie Buck, I want to thank ATI Performance, and also my adopted family, the Lamberts, for letting me keep my stuff at their house between races," commented Rini, who will compete next week in Mooresville's Mad Dawg opener.
Piedmont's Big Dog event provided the closest racing you can expect to see anywhere, with performances that far exceeded 2008. "It's a credit to the engine builders, car builders and the improved track conditions," committed Bob Harris, who co-owns this 1/8 mile facility with Jim Turner. Saturday's 16 car field was quicker than any 8-car shootout previously held at Piedmont. J.D. Goad's 4.24 was the quickest bump spot ever recorded for this event.
Other highlights from last night's action include Travis Harvey with a stunning, between rounds shakedown blast of 4.10 e.t. Harvey was debuting Russ Farmer's new Race Tech Camaro. Heavy hitter Dewayne Silance was on hand for his first Big Dog event last night. The flying hog farmer qualified 5th with a 4.17; lowering his elapsed time in round one with a 4.16 e.t. Silance dropped a close one to Tracy Cockman in round two. Chris Croom, Brian Williams and Joel Douglas also posted impressive 4-teen elapsed times.
Big Dog action returns to the "Doorslammer Capital of the World" on May 7. For more information on the world famous Big Dog series and other upcoming events, please visit: Piedmont Dragway : Greensboro, NC
Story and photo by:
Van Abernethy Press Releases
When the smoked cleared shortly before 10:00pm, Carmel, NY's Chris Rini was the last man standing in this 16 car shootout, after a sensational performance that put his Dodge Stratus in the winner's circle. Crediting new-found power from King, NC's Charlie Buck, Rini ran the table on Saturday with a string of 4-teen elapsed times.
In the tightest field ever for the Big Dog shootout, Rini motored his way to the top of the qualifying chart with a 4.14 @ 175mph. Rini, who campaigned the lone Dodge in Big Dog competition had only qualified for this event once in his career prior to Saturday. In an impressive outing last night, the New York native suddenly found himself going into eliminations from the pole position.
Rini escaped the first round with a little bit of luck after knocking the tires off at the hit of the throttle. His opponent, Virginia's J.D. Goad, was going for the knock-out punch out of the gate, but turned on the red with a -.001 reaction time. Both drivers clicked it early after peddling briefly.
Rini got it together in round two against Darrin Hoyle, who debuted a gorgeous, new Bickel Camaro for this event. Hoyle was out of the gate first with an .026, but his 4.21 came up short against Rini's 4.15 @ 174mph.
Rini then duplicated his performance from the previous round with another 4.15 in the semi-finals against Tracy Cockman. Cockman, who campaigns one of the few Ford products in Big Dog, left early on Rini with a -.020 rt.
This set up a thrilling final between Rini and Jason Harris, a two-time winner in Big Dog last season. Harris made it to the finals last night after stopping Ernie Everett in round one, followed by strong performances against Andy Beal and Joel Douglas in rounds two and three respectively.
Burnouts complete, both Harris and Rini are staged and ready. Out of the gate, Harris took the early lead, but Rini's Dodge unloaded the quickest pass in Big Dog eliminations with a 4.13 @ 175mph. Runner-up time for Harris was 4.20 @ 175mph.
Engine builder Charlie Buck, along with crew chief Scott Cozzoli and the entire team were waiting for Rini back at the starting line for the traditional Big Dog celebration. Rini, who was fresh off a final round appearance in NMCA competition in Bradenton, FL last week, was quick to thank Charlie Buck for the 784 Hemi that delivered his first career Big Dog trophy. "In addition to Charlie Buck, I want to thank ATI Performance, and also my adopted family, the Lamberts, for letting me keep my stuff at their house between races," commented Rini, who will compete next week in Mooresville's Mad Dawg opener.
Piedmont's Big Dog event provided the closest racing you can expect to see anywhere, with performances that far exceeded 2008. "It's a credit to the engine builders, car builders and the improved track conditions," committed Bob Harris, who co-owns this 1/8 mile facility with Jim Turner. Saturday's 16 car field was quicker than any 8-car shootout previously held at Piedmont. J.D. Goad's 4.24 was the quickest bump spot ever recorded for this event.
Other highlights from last night's action include Travis Harvey with a stunning, between rounds shakedown blast of 4.10 e.t. Harvey was debuting Russ Farmer's new Race Tech Camaro. Heavy hitter Dewayne Silance was on hand for his first Big Dog event last night. The flying hog farmer qualified 5th with a 4.17; lowering his elapsed time in round one with a 4.16 e.t. Silance dropped a close one to Tracy Cockman in round two. Chris Croom, Brian Williams and Joel Douglas also posted impressive 4-teen elapsed times.
Big Dog action returns to the "Doorslammer Capital of the World" on May 7. For more information on the world famous Big Dog series and other upcoming events, please visit: Piedmont Dragway : Greensboro, NC
Story and photo by:
Van Abernethy Press Releases
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