“Shockwave” Scores Second Win at Prescott
McSwain Walks Away From Final Round Fireball
Prescott Raceway - June 23rd, 2007
Event #4 of 8
It is hard to believe that the 2007 Outlaw Fuel Altered season is already halfway over but the midpoint of the tour has arrived and it hasn’t been without a lack of entertainment from these wild and wacky machines. Back to back defending champion Brad Rigler is in the hunt to defend his title once again but he must contend with a very strong field of cars all hungry for the taste of victory. Larry Reep’s “Grim Reeper” team from Austin has two final round appearances to their credit but have yet to win this season. Circuit president Bobby Marriott has had one “helluva” season in his “Shockwave” nitro burner. After a very emotional win in Shreveport to start the season, Marriott advanced to the final round at the most recent event in Lufkin, Texas where he lost to Travis Bouchey. It appears that Bouchey’s “Excitation” fuel Fiat has found a groove and he laid down back to back career best runs at 3.95 to take his first win in over a year at Lufkin in a great all nitro fuel altered final. Donny McSwain has raised eyebrows this season with his beautiful Lone Star Forklift sponsored machine. McSwain has qualified in the top half of the field at each event this season and also claims a spot in the top five in points. Jack Hodgson’s “Southern Outlaw” Waco based team also came to run with the big dogs this season. Hodgson has been haunted by the red bulb on the Christmas tree a few times but a career best 3.99 at Shreveport and number one qualifying spot with a 4.05 at Lufkin proves their hot rod is happy and a trip to the winner’s circle is in the not too distant future. Rigler has his work cut out for him in his hopes of a third consecutive championship and a work conflict forced him to miss the fourth event at Prescott Raceway in Prescott, Arkansas which will put a big hurt on his chances.
A twelve car field of front motored monsters came to battle down the beautiful Prescott eighth mile and qualifying got started with Tim Hay’s “High Voltage Hayride” 427 Chevrolet on fuel along side OFAA newcomer DoDad Burton. Hay clicked off a 4.28 at 165 mph while Burton struggled in the other lane. Donnie Massey’s “Showtime” lit the scoreboards with a 4.29 and Wayne Lewis wheeled the “Thrill Factor” to a 4.54. Marriott clicked off a 4.38 at only 139 mph but Bouchey picked up right where he left off at Lufkin claiming the top spot with a ground shaking 4.15 at 142 mph. In second session qualifying action Marriott kicked off the session with a stout 4.12 at 172 mph along side Tim Hay’s 4.31 at 164 mph. Burton stepped up to a 4.67 along side McSwain’s off pace 5.14. Reep clicked off a best of 4.30 at 167 mph to claim the fifth position heading into eliminations. Howard Knowles’ “Cheaper Than Therapy” machine went 4.49 and Lewis tripped the clocks with a 4.46. Jack Hodgson jumped into the field with a 4.64 at 151 mph after missing the first session. Burton and Lewis both qualified for their first start of the season and look better and better in their first year as they get some events under their belt. Marriott and Bouchey had a big performance advantage over the rest of the field heading into first round and on paper these were the cars to beat. Surprisingly McSwain missed the field with a best of 5.14 but with Terry Tanner and Donnie Massey being forced to sit out due to mechanical issues Mark Jones and McSwain jumped into the quick ten field as alternates from the eleven and twelve qualifying spots. With the conclusion of qualifying bonus awards went to the following drivers. Tim Hay took home the Meyer Enterprises “Luck of the Draw” bonus, Donnie Massey claimed the Marriott Progressive Bonus qualifying fourth and the fourth event on the tour and DoDad Burton took home the Disciple Cycles “Roll of the Dice” bonus. Marriott, the fourth different number one qualifier in four events, has a chance to take the $250 Lone Star Forklift bonus if he can win from the number one qualifying position which has not happened yet this season.
Final Qualifying Order:
1) Bobby Marriott – 4.12
2) Travis Bouchey – 4.15
3) Tim Hay – 4.28
4) Donnie Massey – 4.29
5) Larry Reep – 4.30
6) Wayne Lewis – 4.46
7) Howard Knowles – 4.49
8) Jack Hodgson – 4.64
9) DoDad Burton – 4.670
10) Terry Tanner – 4.673
---------------------
11) Mark Jones – 5.03
12) Donny McSwain – 5.14
With ten cars ready to make the call for first round McSwain and Reep lined up in a big match up to open eliminations. McSwain did not get down the track in qualifying while Reep didn’t raise any eyebrows but he did make two solid passes and was the favorite in this bout. McSwain got off the line first then lost the rear wing and pulled off the upset with a very nice 4.28 at 167 mph to take out Reep’s 4.37 at 163 mph in a great race. Dodging small rain showers at the top end the call went out to fire up the next pair. Tim Hay took the win in the “Hayride” with a 4.35 at 164 mph over Hodgson who ran into issues and clicked it early. DoDad Burton laid down a mighty career best 4.45 at 144 mph in a solo run after Mark Jones’ shifter broke on the burnout. Marriott clicked off low elapsed time of first round in his fueler with a 4.14 at 166 mph, the “Shockwave” has found it’ rhythm so be warned! Lewis struggled in the other lane to a 5.45 but I’m sure the gang was happy with their first trip to eliminations. In the final pair Knowles lit the clocks with a 4.44 at 156 mph to upset Bouchey who got on the loud pedal a little too soon and turned on the big bad red bulb. Bouchey threw away a header flaming 4.15 and ticket to his second final round in a row. The two quickest winners McSwain and Marriott advanced to the final where Marriott was heavily favored based on performance.
First Round Results:
(W) Donny McSwain (.431 rt) 4.28 at 167 mph vs. (L) Larry Reep (.478 rt) 4.37 at 163 mph
(W) Tim Hay (.520 rt) 4.35 at 164 mph vs. (L) Jack Hodgson (.440 rt) 5.27 at 111 mph
(W) DoDad Burton (.874 rt) 4.45 at 144 mph vs. (L) Mark Jones (Broke Shifter)
(W) Bobby Marriott (.560 rt) 4.14 at 166 mph vs. (L) Wayne Lewis (.566 rt) 5.45 at 81 mph
(W) Howard Knowles (.477 rt) 4.44 at 146 mph vs. (L) Travis Bouchey (.364 red) 4.15 at 142 mph
Marriott was no stranger to the final round and had the car to beat against McSwain who was making his first career final round appearance. Marriott could leave with the points lead and also would take home the big bonus from Lone Star Forklift (McSwain’s business) so there was a little pressure on them both under the lights for the final pass of the night. Side by side burnouts concluded and Marriott got a very slight starting line advantage off the line. Without a rear wing, McSwain started getting out of shape and the car got very loose and went straight at the left lane guardrail. He steered it back the other way but the rear end swung around tagging the guardrail bringing the front end back around hard into the guardrail. That’s when it got ugly. The gas tank and entire front end of the car was ripped off completely right in front of the motor resulting in a huge ball of fire. The car landed upside down right as it went through the eighth mile clocks with a 4.20 at 157 mph. It skidded hundreds of feet until it finally came to rest at the top end. McSwain walked away from this horrific accident with minor injuries and no plans to get back in the seat of a fuel altered for a while. Marriott missed everything because he was out in front and never looked back on his way to a bracket car style 4.15 at 170 mph. Marriott along with the rest of the “Shockwave” crew celebrated their second win of the season but more importantly everyone was alright after a scary final round incident. On the positive, McSwain won the Cen-Tech Scales quickest reaction time bonus with a .431 bulb in first round while Marriott became the first to take home the bonus from Lone Star Forklift for winning out of the number one spot.
"First pass the track forgot to turn on the starter and we got a "no time". Second pass after 330' the car shut off because we lost the on/off relay switch. Third pass to qualify the car would'nt start. As an alternate we were honored to race Mr. Larry Reep. The wing fell off the car but we were able to finish line first. I think Larry felt sorry for me. We ran Bobby in our first final of the season without the wing. I think we were pretty even until my car got loose and you can tell by the video I am finished for the year. It's hard to beat a champ like Bobby so I probably stayed in when I should have lifted. The car is totaled. I'm in great shape, just a little bruised. Thank all the OFAA crews for the help cleaning up my mess. Their concern was amazing. Thanks to Danny Wright for building such a safe car!!! Kenny (my Crew Chief) and I are contemplating the future for the N'Tense car," says McSwain.
Donny McSwain - Final Round Crash - Prescott, AR - 2007
Final Round Results:
(W) Bobby Marriott (.539 rt) 4.15 at 170 mph vs. (L) Donny McSwain (.558 rt) 4.20 at 157 mph
A video is online at www.ofaa.net that shows the final round filmed from the top end by Clinton Warren. Marriott leapt into a twenty two point lead over Reep and Bouchey in the standings. McSwain sits one point behind Bouchey in fourth but will obviously move steadily down the list as the season progresses. Thankfully no one was injured and we hope to see McSwain behind the wheel again in and back at the race track soon. The next stop is a rain-out makeup at North Star Dragway in Denton, Texas on July 7th.
Low Elapsed Time – Bobby Marriott (4.12)
Top Speed – Bobby Marriott (172 mph)
Bonus Winners:
Cen-Tech Scales Quick Reaction Time – Donny McSwain (.431)
Meyer Custom Machining Luck of the Draw – Tim Hay
Marriott’s Progressive Qualifying Bonus – Donnie Massey
Disciple Cycles Roll of the Dice – DoDad Burton
Lone Star Forklift Win From The Pole – Bobby Marriott
