Late Start.....Short Field @
Alamo City Raceway
The Southwest Superchargers were
finally allowed to start their 2020 season June 13 @ Alamo City Raceway, San
Antonio. With only four cars on the property carrying the SWSC banner, it was to
be an abbreviated evening.
Our old friend and SWSC racer
from El Paso Al Seelig had every intention of attending the first race, but
truck trouble prohibited him from bringing his hot pink altered to Alamo City
Raceway. Too bad, would have been a big hit with the fans
Track partner/owner Rodney
Zambula also had high hopes of making the field, but the Brown Truck of
Happiness didn't bring much needed parts in time to finish the car. Maybe next
time. We look forward to seeing his blower car.
One who did make the trip was
Rodney Ferguson from Hereford, Tx. Rodney was slated to drive the r.e.d. of
Steve Meiwes. During a test session Friday night @ Alamo City Raceway, they
broke a lifter. Ouch! Broke off in the block and they had to remove the cam to
get the bad part out. End of a weekend for that team. Rodney and Steve say they
plan on racing more with the SWSC this season.
Three newcomers graced the pages
of the SWSC pairings book. Dennis Smith of San Antonio has been trying to race
with the SWSC for several months, only to have problems plague his attendance.
Finally able to show up with his beautiful r.e.d. powered by a traditional big
block, Dennis also ponied up some serious bonus award money for the rest of the
field to squabble over. $250 was the award for Best Pass to Index in
eliminations. $125 would go to the Quick Qualifier, over or under index down to
the SWSC legal 4.40. And another $125 for the Driver Bounty on the winner of the
last SWSC race, in this case 2019 SWSC Points Champion Christian Leffew. Watch
for more on these bonus awards later.
Coming down to join the SWSC
from Oklahoma with his sparkling slingshot-type dragster was the big block
equipped car of Mike Caknupp. A great looking car, Mike had kinfolk to visit in
the area and joined the SWSC for a race while in the area. Mike and the team
made a welcome addition to the field.
Ardmore, Oklahoma surrendered
the likewise sweet slingshot of Steve Matthews. Dennis' car was powered by a
small block with a not-so-traditional B&M blower. A smart looking ride, with
performance to match. Thanks for coming and joining in on the competition.
A non-eliminations type show was
agreed on by the competitors and runs began. We still needed an eliminations
ladder, so qualifying began. First out was the fresh/new 23T altered of
Christian Leffew. Last season (and the season before) Christian had a well-known
r.e.d. powered by a "normal" 454/468 bbc. This season, he had the opportunity to
trade/purchase the long-stored 23T of a former Alamogordo racer, and the deal
was made. New car bugs made their appearance early, as the shifter cable
detached after the burnout, negating a reverse to the starting line. Abort, next
car. In the right opposite Christian was Mike Caknupp and his big block
slingshot. Another one bit the dust when an important ignition wire dislodged
itself during the burnout. Result, dead motor, next car! The other pair of
Dennis Smith and Steve Matthews fired to make a pass. These two made up for the
forgettable pair earlier. Steve's small block put up a great 4.458/154.43 only
to be outrun by Dennis Smiths 4.440/160.21! Holy Smokin tires, Batman! Thank
You, fellas!
After a couple hours watching
the other classes and Funny Car Chaos, and a little between-round maintenance,
Q2 was at hand for our racers. Christian again fired first in the right lane,
but his ride sounded a little abnormal. A nice 1.09 60' only led to a short
5.973/84.24 after a couple of pops were from the altereds big block. In the left
lane, Dennis Smith made a clean/straight/legal 4.628/152.03. Nice! Next up Steve
Matthews' small block car went 4.599/150.96 vs. Mike Caknupps shut-off pass as
he crossed the center stripe early in the run.
Now we either had another
qualifying run or a first round pass next. Doesn't matter, everybody was eager
to run. Steve Matthews lined up vs. Christian Leffew. Matthews went 4.772/152.48
to Christians wounded 6.854/93. Sounded pretty ill. Dennis again displayed a
barely legal 4.418/155.66 to Mikes 5.036/140.06.
That last run had been
considered a semi-final, so all that was left was a final pass by all to
determine First, Second, and Third and Fourth. Christian fired, but soon
surrendered the pass as his ride sounded worse than ever, later determined to be
a thrown pushrod on #8 intake and a bad electronics box. So Mike Caknupp took a
bye for Third Place unofficially. In the last pair of the night for the SWSC
Dennis Smith met Steve Matthews. Dennis again ran sub-index with his
4.440/156.03 surrendering the win to Steves 4.72/146.39.
Winner! Steve Matthew from Oklahoma!
our Runner up Dennis Smith form San Antonio
Our congratulations and SWSC
Thank You to the new guys. You made a great showing on your first time with the
SWSC and we hope to see you again this season. And an extra special Thanks to
Nogalitos Gear Co. of San Antonio and Dennis Smith, proprietor.
Nogalitos Gear Co. Best Pass to Index of eliminations Steve Matthews 4.72
Nogalitos Gear Co Quick Qualifier Dennis Smith 4.440
Good Vibrations Quick Light Steve Matthews .004 (!)
Nogalitos Gear Co. Driver Bounty Dennis Smith (first round vs. Leffew)
C'mon, We'll see you at the races!
Watch for us to post more schedule as the season goes on. As the country goes, so goes our 22nd year with the Southwest Superchargers!
Floyd (Fuzzy Gearhead) Stringer
