Dunphy Closes In on Lutz Record
Cecil County Dragway brought the heat for day four of Hot Rod Drag Week, the penultimate stage of the OG drag and drive event.
After delays to get the track dried from two days of rain (including stopping racing after just two pairs to address some weepers), the staging lanes finally got moving just before 10am.
Quickest overall was Ned Dunphy and his SMX Dodge Viper with a 6.216 on his second attempt after the first run was scuppered by water coming out of the rocker panels. With just one day remaining, Dunphy has a very real opportunity to beat Jeff Lutz’s drag and drive world record of 6.1918. The math says Dunphy will have to run 6.284 or quicker in order to take the mark.
“We had one shot to make one last pass today, so that was our A-to-B tune up,” he said. “When I let go of the button and it stuck I was like, ‘Yes!’ I skated a bit in the middle and it did a big power wheelie and out the back was fine.”
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Second overall is Bryant Goldstone, who had a frustrating day on track. Like Dunphy, Goldstone had to deal with water hiding throughout his car. A conservative 6.876 on his third attempt netted a 6.579 average.
Steven Spiess has been a showcase of consistency this week and nothing changed for the Ultimate Iron leader with a 6.832 (6.830A) to lead David Armentrout’s 6.962 average.
Nick Rinehart remains number one in Pro Street Power Adder despite struggling for traction on his first two runs of the day, while Scott Miller’s seven-second streak continued in Pro Street NA.
Scott Glassbrook has a tenth of a second up his sleeve in Modified as he looks to become the first four-cylinder to win the class.
Chris Welch’s convertible Ford Mustang continues to do good things in Super Street Small Block Power Adder, with a 7.919 helping a 7.953 average.
No changes in the All Motor classes with Philip Tobin and Glen Sheeley retaining their leads.
A/Gas leader Wayne Baker made an eight-second run without his rear glass after it left the chat during his launch, shattering across the track.
In the Street Race classes, Rick Steinke is putting on a clinic. He recorded his fourth 8.50X run in as many days today with a 8.507 for an incredible 8.504 average.
A 151-mile drive from Cecil County Dragway to Maryland International Raceway marked the final highway miles of the week. Thankfully the weather was much better than yesterday, with blue skies throughout the afternoon as racers cruised to an aviation museum and a Memphis BBQ restaurant for checkpoints.
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For full results from day four click here, or scroll down to see more photos from Cecil County.
