Dawson's Dominance Secures 2016 OFAA Championship
The Outlaw Fuel Altered Association has had quite a year in its special 20th Anniversary season and the Championship battle, as in so many years past, came down to the elimination rounds of the final event to see who would be crowned king. Entering the OFAA Championship Finals contested at San Antonio Raceway on Saturday, October 22nd, Raymond Dawson's "High Octane" blown alcohol entry tuned by Danny Wright led the standings by just nine points. The "Sundown" nitro burning machine owned by Tom Wood and driven by Nick Poloson sat second and at their hometown race, looked to knock Dawson off his pedestal and claim the title in front of their hometown crowd. Those precious Lone Star Forklift points would be hard earned in this one as a nine car field was ready for action under the lights in Texas.
Qualifying Highlights:
(Raymond Dawson)
With two rounds of qualifying complete, Mark Billington's "Magic Dragon" owned and tuned by the Austin family was the top qualifier with a 4.005 (3.994) and Mary Reep's "Grim Reeper" was in second with a 4.007 (3.992). Points leader Dawson posted a 4.010 (3.990) to qualify third while title hopeful Poloson qualified sixth with a 4.064 (3.935). After tabulating points after the completion of qualifying, Dawson had extended his points lead by three to a twelve heading into round one competition. This meant Dawson would have to lose his first round match up, while Poloson must not only win his round but win the event to earn enough points to take the title.
(Jimmy Jones)
Final Qualifying Order:
1. Mark Billington (Prosper, Texas) - 4.005 (3.994)
2. Mary Reep (Austin, Texas) - 4.007 (3.992)
3. Raymond Dawson (Nevada, Texas) - 4.010 (3.990)
4. Donny McSwain (Rockwall, Texas - 4.016
5. Jimmy Jones (Cleburne, Texas) - 4.05
6. Nick Poloson (San Antonio, Texas) - 4.06 (3.93)
7. Donnie Massey (Little Elm, Texas) - 4.07 (3.92)
8. Eric Buchanan (Justin, Texas) - 4.12 (3.87)
9. Larry Bradford (San Antonio, Texas) - 6.07
Eliminations:
(Mary Reep)
(Nick Poloson)
First out for round one was none other than Poloson in the "Sundown" nitro burner alongside number two qualifier Reep. Poloson had to win this pair and run one of the two quickest winning elapsed times of the round to advance him to the final. At the hit of the throttle, Poloson took the starting line advantage and never trailed, posting a winning 4.19 at 141 mph which was likely not quite what the team had hoped to put on the board. Dawson just saw his friendly rival win first round and fired up the "High Octane" car in the next pair alongside defending event winner Donnie Massey. This was no easy match for Dawson but he proved he was ready for the challenge as he took an impressive holeshot win. Dawson's 4.02 at 174 mph advanced over Massey's quicker but losing 4.02 at 182 mph. With this win, Dawson and company locked in their first Outlaw Fuel Altered Association Championship, a well-earned and hard fought victory.
(Donnie Massey)
(Eric Buchanan)
As round one eliminations continued, Eric Buchanan blasted header flames high to a stellar 3.83 at 177 mph to defeat Donny McSwain's solid 3.97 at 175 mph. In fact, McSwain's 3.97 was the third quickest pass of the round, but fell against the wrong opponent. Top qualifier Billington was out next with former five time Champion Jimmy Jones in the other lane. Billington charged hard off the line and his 3.79 at 171 fell just under of the first round cap as Jones' 4.03 at 173 mph took the win. The two quickest winners Dawson and Buchanan were final round bound in San Antonio.
(Donny McSwain)
First Round Results:
(W) Nick Poloson (.471 rt) 4.19 @ 141 vs. (L) Mary Reep (.584 rt) 4.14 @ 147
(W) Raymond Dawson (.532 rt) 4.02 @ 174 vs. (L) Donnie Massey (.581 rt) 4.00 @ 182
(W) Eric Buchanan (.610) 3.83 @ 177 vs. (L) Donny McSwain (.593 rt) 3.97 @ 175
(W) Jimmy Jones (.551 rt) 4.03 @ 173 vs. (L) Mark Billington (.527 rt) 3.79 @ 171 (Foul)
Dawson had nothing left to do but cap off a Championship winning dream weekend with a win here which would mark his third straight event victory, an incredible accomplishment that charged him to the top of the points standings. Dawson would have to get around the quicker Buchanan who's Terry Darby tuned nitro powered entry was looking to claim the final win of the season.
In the final, Dawson took a massive starting line advantage and posted a 4.03 at 178 mph to defeat Buchanan's 3.75 at 191 mph which fell under the eliminations cap. What a weekend for Dawson and company who used consistently strong performances to claim victory at the final three events in a row, resulting in a very impressive 2016 Outlaw Fuel Altered Championship run. Congratulations to the entire team on a stellar effort. Poloson defended his second place position while Donny McSwain, Jimmy Jones and Mary Reep rounded out the top five finishers on the season.
(Eric Buchanan - Runner Up)
(Raymond Dawson & Team "High Octane" - 2016 Champions!)
Final Round Results:
(W) Raymond Dawson (.507 rt) 4.03 @ 178 vs. (L) Eric Buchanan (.671 rt) 3.75 @ 191 (Foul)
The Outlaw Fuel Altered Association would like to thank Lone Star Forklift, Good Vibrations Motorsports, Meyer Enterprises and Grim Reeper Racing for their support this season. With a first time Champion crowned the anticipation for what's to come in 2017 is overwhelming. We hear rumors of a return from Bobby Marriott and team "Shockwave" who were out all season after a wild incident at the season opener. Doyle Smith's "Chemical Reaction" entry is also expected to return and word in the pits is DoDad Burton hopes to compete as much as possible in 2017 after sitting out a season. Big fields and big fun are expected as the twenty first consecutive season of OFAA racing will kick off sometime next spring. Keep an eye on www.ofaa.net for news and schedule announcements and we'll see you next year!
Click Here to see photos from San Antonio!
