Words by Wes Ramey
Photos by Chris Haverly

Five-time NHRA World Champion Peter Biondo and Kyle Seipel brought their bracket racing knowledge to Bristol Dragway with a special event for racers. The Inaugural K&N Spring Fling 20s included an opening day $10,000-to-win race on Thursday, April 22, with three $20,000-to-win races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“Kyle and I are working on some unique ideas, which will combine a mix of high dollar bracket racing with a fun atmosphere and many perks to show our appreciation to the racers who attend,” said Biondo prior to the event. “After racing at big money bracket races for many years, I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity of working for the racers and being on the other side of the fence."

The organizers gave much thought to making the race a quarter-mile or an eighth-mile event. In the end, Biondo and Seipel decided to make the K&N Spring Fling 20's "The 1000 Foot Compromise." 

"In general, racers from the north seem to prefer quarter-mile racing and racers from the south seem to like eighth-mile, so to split the difference and make it a 1000 foot race was a logical decision for Peter and me to make," said Seipel about the decision.

After careful consideration, Biondo and Seipel decided to have door cars run against door cars and dragsters run against dragsters for the first three rounds. At that point every competitor remaining was in the money rounds and combined to run for the large payouts.