Dillard said the chassis in his car will be upgraded to 25.2 standards in the off season. “We’re just going to update the car to where it’s almost like an Outlaw 10.5 car, but still run Limited. Right now we’re nowhere near that. If you look under it, you’d see it’s like a 6.0 car running Limited Street.”
Townley, AL’s Jeff Cooner wrapped up the 2006 Nitrous Express Limited Street championship just by qualifying at the season ender. He placed his turbocharged 2000 Mustang second for raceday, but fell in the second round to Jerry Gunter.
Upon arriving at the track on Thursday for testing before the race, Cooner said he entered the weekly Quick 8 race that night for automatic Pro Mod-type cars and after qualifying second, made it all the way to the final round. His engine let go in the semis, however, cracking the number-two piston in four places and punching a hole in the block, with another in the head.
A late-night thrash ensued, with the engine stripped to the bare block by Friday morning and the head sent to nearby Addy’s Performance for welding and resurfacing. Cooner also singled out Brian “Lil’ Mo” Morris, Derek Fannin, Jason Steadman, Randy Sharpston, Stacy Parker, and the Halbert Brothers for their help in getting him back on track in time for the race.
 Darrin Hoyle continued to dominate in Limited Street qualifying, running 4.770 seconds to take the top spot at Carolina. After a first-round bye, Hoyle experienced a flash fire under the hood of his pristine ’69 Camaro and gave away a sure win after leading Shannon Ragsdale about half-track in round two. |
 In a collaborative effort, Jody Benton’s third-generation Camaro returned to ORSCA action at Carolina with Jeff Deavers’ 728 cubic incher under the hood and 2004 Limited Street champ Shannon Ragsdale behind the wheel. It also was Ragsdale’s first time racing since last November at Atlanta Dragway and after qualifying eighth in a 12-car field, he rode a couple of fortunate breaks all the way to the semis before falling to Florida’s Carlton Thompson. Ragsdale said he plans to mount a full-season assault on Outlaw 10.5 next year with a ’96 Corvette and Deavers’ motor again providing the power. |
EZ STREET
Huntsville, AL’s Shane Stack qualified his turbocharged ’86 Monte Carlo number one in EZ Street with a 5.076-seconds pass, then advanced to win the final round against Kell Eubanks, who lost traction off the start. “I had to pedal it once. I knew I had never seen him and I was waiting for him to come on around, but he just never did,” said Stack, last year’s class champion.
 After qualifying his 2000 Mustang 6th in EZ Street, Paul Maquin made it past Tim Barton and his 1995 Camaro in round one, but lost to eventual finalist Eubanks in round two. |
 Robby Erwin, from Lithonia, GA, secured the 2006 TCI Automotive EZ Street championship by qualifying second at Carolina Dragway. Tuned by Jason Motes, Erwin steered his ’88 Mustang to a semi-final finish against top rival Kell Eubanks. |