2020 LIGHTS OUT 11 - FINAL RESULTS
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SATURDAY RESULTS
NO NEW CAR BLUES FOR COX AND AYERS - Just one week ago in Orlando, Shawn Ayers made his first few test passes in a brand-new, screw-blown '67 Mustang. He left the track feeling impressed and confident as he and his Fletcher Cox Racing teammates promptly headed north, destined for Lights Out 11 at South Georgia Motorsports Park.
Actually completed in summer 2018, the Racecraft-built ride originally carried a roots-blown Hemi up front, but remained on the sidelines throughout last year as Ayers and Cox continued to rack up accolades with "Gold Dust," the ProCharger-equipped, Fox-bodied Mustang in which they won the 2018 NMCA Street Outlaw championship.
"The car has been done for a while, but it was my choice to not run it at the time. I was having a bunch of really good times with the gold car, we were winning a bunch of races with it, and I just honestly didn't want to deal with the frustrations of a new car and trying to run two cars at the same time," explained team owner Cox.
"I decided last year to switch from the roots to the screw blower just because of the direction the (RVW) class was going. It was kind of what we needed because I don't think it was going to be competitive in this class with the roots. RVW is getting faster all the time, so I wanted to be ready."
The wait paid off for Ayers in qualifying for LO11 with a 3.654 at 208.49-mph pass, good enough for a fourth-place start in the 32-car RVW field.
Once eliminations began, Ayers opened with an off-the pace, but fortunate 4.41 win over a redlighting Craig Sullivan, but rebounded in round two with a 3.76 at 200.89-mph win over Canadian Enzo Pecchini. He then faced another Canuck in the quarter finals and returned to form with a 3.66 at 206.10 to beat Paolo Giust's 3.69 effort.
The semis saw Ayers face off against number-one qualifier Stevie Jackson, with Jackson leaving with a slim two-thousandths advantage over Ayers' excellent .019 light, but a fading 3.89 at just 155.27 mph was no match for Jackson's 3.56 at 213.81 combo.
"I'd never driven a screw-blown combination before, so it's been a learning curve for me. But so far I think I've adapted to it pretty good and we're just inching down on the E.T. every single round. I'm just trying to not overstep her boundaries," the Corinth, MS-based driver said.
He also agreed with Cox, who called the car "a work of art," adding it features the best fit, finish and attention to detail in any race car he's ever driven.
And understanding the need for good team chemistry and execution, Cox assembled an "A" list of companies and talent to build and work on his new entry. In addition to Racecraft, among others he cited DiSomma Racing Engines, engine tuner Mark Savage, Mark Menscer for setting up the shocks and chassis, Shannon Davis of Davis Technologies, and longtime crew chief Nick Bruder along with his brother Rick at Bruder Brothers Racing.
"It's a big team effort," said Cox, also a defensive superstar and Super Bowl champion with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. "I think communication is the biggest thing when it comes to any race team. And everyone has to get along, you know, even when things are not going so good. Communication, driver talking to crew, crew talking to driver; it's crucial. Just that back-and-forth to make sure everyone's thinking, everything's taken care of."
As a hands-on team owner, too, often seen with a headset on to communicate with Ayers while staging, Cox appreciates the opportunity of sharing the experience of witnessing another great pass or hard-fought-for victory.
"Even the driver, he usually has to wait for us to tell him the results. So I think you have more fun celebrating with the guys at the starting line," he said. "When the win light comes on it just makes you feel proud because it's been such a big team effort for everybody involved: me, Shawn, all the guys, all the sponsors. You know, everybody."
'STEVIE FAST' WINS RVW AT LIGHTS OUT 11 - Following up on his No Mercy 10 victory last fall, "Stevie Fast" Jackson recorded his 10th straight round win at South Georgia Motorsports Park with a final-round triumph over David Reese for the Radials vs. The World title at Lights Out 11. It also represented his fifth Duck X Productions win at the all-concrete track near Valdosta.
"I love this place. This is Georgia," declared Jackson, who hails from tiny Evans, GA, about 260 miles northeast of the track, near Augusta. "This is Bulldog country! Nobody's going to come around here and stomp around South Georgia Motor Sports Park. My territory!"
After qualifying number one with a dominating 3.55-seconds pass at a similarly distant 215.31 mph, Jackson made it to the final round by going through Tim Slavens, Brad Edwards, a redlighting Tom Blincoe and class newcomer Shawn Ayers in the semis.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the ladder, fellow Georgian David Reese started from the number-two slot with a 3.61 at 204.45 before handily beating B.C. Cantor, Canada's Louie Ouimette and Bryan Markiewicz, who both lit the dreaded red bulb.
Number-three qualifier Melanie Salemi was waiting for Reese in the semis after tying Jackson's 3.546 RVW class E.T record in a first-round solo pass. However, her screw-blown '19 Camaro shut off at the end of its burnout, forcing her crew, led by husband and crew chief Jon Salemi, to rush out, push the car back to the starting line and allow Reese a free pass to the final.
Salemi later explained after repairs were made to the car's transmission following her third-round win over a redlighting Kevin Rivenbark, an errant leftover nut had fallen on the engine coil during the burnout, shorting out the coil and overall electrical system to prevent the engine from restarting.
"What a freak thing to happen," she marveled. "You would think the nut would've just fallen out with all the vibrations and stuff, but there it was, perfectly balanced on the coil just enough to short everything out."
With Salemi out, Jackson immediately realized a major threat to a potential second-straight SGMP win had been eliminated.
"She was gunning for me," he said. "They've got a badass hot rod over there and I hated to see it have a mechanical problem because it's really fun racing that team. They're a no-excuses type of team, and they run good.
"But yeah, she was coming out swinging for me for sure. You'll see me and her race more often than not. Every race they've brought that car to, it's been deep in the show, a car that can take everybody or anybody out."
With a unique screw-blown, small-block powerplant under the hood, Reese made his presence felt by going rounds and officially lowering the RVW small-block E.T. record to 3.580 in his semi-final solo pass.
"Then I just kind of laid back for the final," Reese said after leaving on Jackson with a sizable .043 holeshot. He fell short of the win an eighth mile later, however, by just 3-thousandths of a second after posting 3.594 at 205.88 to Jackson's 3.548 at 213.81-mph winning pass.
"I figured the air would come to me and going out first on a freshly prepped track most of the time that's the best thing to do. But with a small block, if it ever pulled the motor down, it takes a little bit to recover," Reese continued.
"So they did a real good job prepping the track and it just snuffed it down when I left. What I lost at the 60 foot, you know, my front splits every time, it was just like on a .58 pass, but it just slowed a little bit early."
With so many cars and classes competing at Lights Out 11, Jackson said the toughest part of the day for him and crew chief Billy Stocklin was managing long waits between rounds and maintaining focus until the final for RVW went off well after midnight.
"At one point Billy had been staring at numbers on the computer so long he said he just had to go outside and see some real life again," Jackson quipped.
"And it really was hard for me to stay up and ready to go. Over in NHRA we usually run every couple of hours or so, but I think it was four hours just between round one and round two. By the time I was strapped in and waiting in the lanes for the final I was almost falling asleep in the car! Maybe that's why I was so late on the tree.
"I'm normally the tree assassin; my team bailed me out on that one," he continued. "I seen that red car get out on me from the start. When I let go I thought, 'Oh no, come on Billy Stocklin, bail me out here!' At 330, he's still out there. At 600 feet, we're starting to make a move that ended with three thou in our favor. It was a close one."
Despite the oh-so-tight finish, Reese said he wasn't aware of Jackson as they raced downtrack.
"I try not to get too caught up in looking over; it makes a car drive naturally one way or the other. I did see him when I pulled the chutes, but I actually thought I got him. It was that close."
Jackson stressed the quality of the competition at Lights Out 11, pointing out that not so long ago 3.50s were a rarity, but starting late last year and as this race proved running .50s is no longer optional for any teams with aspirations to win.
"Used to be you'd qualify good, make a couple of runs, and then have to turn it up in the final. It's not like that anymore. Everybody can take you out because there's a heap of cars that are capable of running .50s.
"I think we blew the motor, the drivetrain, and my driveshaft out on that final run," he added. "But you know what? I don't care. Phil (Shuler) told me before the run, 'You have full authorization to burn this bitch up.' So I told Billy. Next thing I know he's taking the front end back off, and putting bigger jets in."
Jackson then wrapped up his day with a prediction for Duck X's Sweet 16 event next month when the radial racing world will again focus its attention on the SGMP eighth mile.
"Sweet Sixteen, we are going to set the overall door car record, and I'm going to do it on a street tire. How about that?"
SATURDAY ELIMINATIONS -
CLICK HERE FOR RADIAL VS. THE WORLD RESULTS -
CLICK HERE FOR X275 RESULTS -
CLICK HERE FOR DXP STREET RESULTS -
CLICK HERE FOR PRO 275 RESULTS -
CLICK HERE FOR LIMITED DRAG RADIAL RESULTS -
CLICK HERE FOR ULTRA STREET RESULTS -
CLICK HERE FOR LIMITED 235 RESULTS
FINALS
#1 Steve Jackson def #2 David Reese
(.068) 3.548, 213.81 (.025) 3.594, 205.88
SEMIS
#2 David Reese def #3 Melanie Salemi
(.088) 3.580, 205.91 BROKE
#1 Steve Jackson def #4 Shawn Ayers
(.017) 3.566, 213.81 3.898, 155.27
E-3
#1 Steve Jackson def #8 Tom Blincoe
(.031) 3.569, 212.79 (-.033) 5.397, 212.29
#4 Shawn Ayers def #12 Paolo Giust
(.010) 3.665, 206.10 (.046) 3.692, 203.89
#2 David Reese def #7 Bryan Markiewicz
(.004) 3.618, 205.01 (-.001) 3.596, 206.92
#3 Melanie Salemi def #6 Kevin Rivenbark
(.070) 3.992, 140.58 (-.017) 3.667, 204.39
E-2
#8 Tom Blincoe def #9 Timmy Meisner
(.011) 3.705, 200.59 (.065) NO TIME
#6 Kevin Rivenbark def #11 Jamie Hancock
(.088) 3.629, 205.38 (.038) 3.905, 182.23
#4 Shawn Ayers def #20 Enzo Pecchini
(.019) 3.766, 200.89 (.037) 3.935, 184.85
#1 Steve Jackson def #16 Brad Edwards
(.062) 3.574, 213.77 (.040) 3.744, 196.70
#2 David Reese def #18 Louis Ouimette
(.046) 3.584, 205.66 (FOUL) 3.917, 187.52
#12 Paolo Giust def #5 Ronnie Hobbs
(.051) 3.709, 203.92 (.059) 4.662, 120.48
#3 Melanie Salemi def #14 Mike Decker III
(.065) 3.608, 212.26 BROKE
#7 Bryan Markiewicz (REINSTATED) def #10 Tim Kincaid
(.002) 3.638, 207.53 BROKE
E-1
#16 Brad Edwards def #17 Marty Stinnett
(.075) 3.801, 195.11 (-.003) 3.820, 195.11
#6 Kevin Rivenbark def #27 Matt Bell
(.070) 3.652, 205.35 (.012) 4.112, 191.76
#2 David Reese def #420 BC Cantor
(.069) 3.585, 206.42 (.035) 3.738, 197.19
#9 Timmy Meisner def #24 Heath Littrell
(.020) 3.640, 206.89 NO SHOW
#5 Ronnie Hobbs def #28 Jeff Shawver
(.144) 3.677, 213.81 (.289) 7.854, 81.96
#11 Jamie Hancock def #22 Tommy Youmans
(.059) 4.923, 98.41 NO SHOW
#3 Melanie Salemi def #30 Rachell Jewell
(.050) 3.546, 213.57 NO SHOW
#1 Steve Jackson def #32 Tim Slavens
(.004) 3.586, 214.01 (.076) 6.093, 114.64
#18 Louis Ouimette def #15 Mark Micke
(.026) 3.895, 189.12 (.048) 5.523, 109.98
#4 Shawn Ayers def #29 Craig Sullivan
(.033) 4.417, 121.44 FOUL - 10.289, 68.91
#8 Tom Blinco def #25 Scott Coxwell
(.052) 3.734, 200.77 (.103) 4.114, 156.25
#14 Mike Decker III def #19 Frank Meshaw
(.051) 3.709, 205.22 (.035) 4.415, 128.97
#12 Paolo Giust def. #21 Luis de Leon
(.038) 3.780, 203.49 (.128) 3.755, 194.46
#20 Enzo Pecchini def. #13 Alex Laughlin
(.002) 4.083, 182.21 (.083) 4.858, 186.05
#26 Shane Stack def. #7 Bryan Markiewicz
(.045) 5.998, 67.59 (.111) 6.873, 81.85
#10 Tim Kincaid def. #23 Paul Gargus
(.079) 3.720, 204.48 (.047) 4.099, 189.84
FRIDAY QUALIFYING - FINAL SESSION
2521 Enzo Pecchini 0 David Reece
7.303, 56.51 3.610, 204.45
69 Stevie "Fast" Jackson 69RS Craig Sullivan
3.552, 215.31 NO TIME
2997 Marcus Birt 1978 Mark Micke
5.046, 81.59 3.829, 205.44
336 Tom Blincoe 2300 Brad Edwards
3.711, 202.42 8.763, 71.19
1887 George Williams 9191 Shawn Ayers
5.016, 164.67 3.654, 208.59
205 Kevin Rivenbark 2003 Justin Martin
3.687, 205.76 4.882, 110.30
2840 Frank Mewshaw X200 Joey Smith
3.989, 196.99 6.442, 130.27
44 Timmy Meissner 1771 Paolo Giust
3.903, 179.54 7.638, 77.93
288M Ev Bernado 1310 Melanie Salemi
NO TIME NO TIME
171 Rachel Jewell 422 Taylor Lastor
6.049, 98.22 5.344, 114.37
925 Tim Kincaid 2105 Norman Bryson
16.254, 116.65 9.653, 56.57
2060 Jeff Shawver 3314 Louis Ouimette
4.259, 182.33 3.888, 189.39
1976 Heath Littrell J288 Jennifer Brooke
4.300, 156.63 10.251, 40.55
1986 Phillip Bohley 420 BC Cantor
10.706, 64.05 4.822, 166.76
2501 Scott Husted 40 Alex Laughlin
9.327, 70.84 4.794, 103.48
7276 Dustin Johnson 2010 Mark Woodruff
6.989, 112.44 6.370, 113.10
2300C Heidi Carlisle 12 Luis de Leon
6.375, 92.35 11.543, 57.27
584 Matt Slavens
5.880, 131.48
2015 Rick Thornton 69L Lyle Barnett
6.471, 105.69 8.108, 84.97
21 Jason Hoard BEE Jeff Miller
3.926, 202.03 5.374, 150.26
Y220 Tommy Youmans 68 Roger Holder
4.005, 105.82 BROKE
2033 Bryan Markiewicz 222 Chris Smith
5.564, 89.74 4.969, 140.80
601 Scott Coxwell MX1068 Mike Black
4.830, 14.54 5.212, 134.63
2792 Jamie Hancock 1010 Jarrod Wood
8.252, 87.89 7.031, 107.87
726 Karri Anne BeeBe 865 Jack Greene
NO TIME 5.163, 142.84
434 Paul Gargus R302 Jason Rueckert
4.097, 190.59 7.919, 61.02
767 Marty Stinnett 103 Mike Decker III
5.075, 115.65 4.404, 114.93
6272 Ronnie Hobbs 1755 Mike Decker II
3.669, 203.31 NO TIME
1433 Steve Drummond 6 Shane Stack
4.150, 107.4
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LEADERS - FINAL
1. 69 Stevie "Fast" Jackson Evans, Ga. 2015 Camaro 3.552, 215.31
2. 0 David Reece Temple, GA. 3.610, 204.45
3. 1310 Melanie Salemi Buffalo, NY '19 Camaro 3.621, 208.81
4. 2997 Marcus Birt Gray, Ga. Corvette 3.625, 204.26
5. 9191 Shawn Ayers 3.654, 208.59
6.0 - Completed - Completed TT-1
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OPEN Comp - Completed TT-1
SB NOS - - Completed Time Trial #2
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CLICK HERE FOR LIMITED 235 RESULTS - Completed Q-2
CLICK HERE FOR X275 RESULTS - Completed Q-3
CLICK HERE FOR RADIAL VS. THE WORLD RESULTS - Completed Q-3
THURSDAY Q-2 - RADIAL VS. THE WORLD
CLICK HERE FOR RADIAL VS. THE WORLD QUALIFYING LIST
21 Jason Hoard 69RS Craig Sullivan
6.902, 78.56 4.262, 146.83
2300 Brad Edwards 584 Tim Slavens
3.856, 189.55 4.678.129.32
12 Luis DeLeon 2521 Enzo Pecchini
3.999, 153.69 6.508, 74.91
2501 Scott Husted 767 Marty Stinnett
6.093, 78.80 3.874, 193.04
1976 Heath Littrell 1986 Phil Bohle
5.080, 119.76 8.066, 51.87
336 Tom Blincoe Ev Bernardo
3.848, 194.86 3.882, 199.43
601 Scott Coxwell 2997 Marcus Birt
4.131, 195.99 8.011, 64.49
2003 Justin Martin 6272 Ronnie Hobbs
4.848, 155.67 4.765, 109.59
2107 Matt Bell 69 Stevie "Fast" Jackson
4.244, 183.77 12.820, 29.47
1978 Mark Micke 2033 Bryan Markiewicz
3.940, 200.14 7.243, 63.73
865 Jack Greene 420 BC Cantor
4.829, 114.17 4.639, 142.61
2105 Norman Bryson 1310 Melanie Salemi
7.202 3.621, 208.81
171 Rachel Jewell 3314 - NOT ON FILE
4.390, 174.21 6.646, 73.99
726 Karri Ann BeeBee 6 Shane Stack
4.684, 156.99 6.590, 71.43
2840 Frank Mewshaw 7276 Dustin Jackson
8.115, 53.29 9.129, 77.25
44 Timmy Meisner 2792 Jamie Hancock
3.798, 198.90 3.747, 193.57
40 Alex Laughlin 2300C Heidi Carlisile
3.800, 201.10 147.09
1946 Kenny Kneeca 205 Kevin Rivenbark
4.210, 148.53 6.984, 113.99
103 Mike Decker III 925 Tim Kincaid
3.833, 196.56 3.730, 202.73
1755 Mike Decker II 222 Chris Smith
8.799, 73.19 8.608, 49.52
2010 Mark Woodruff X220 Joey Smith
7.906, 81.19 7.899, 111.94
1433 NOT ON FILE 2060 Jeff Shawver
BROKE 8.800, 74.97
9191 Shawn Ayers 2015 Grant McCrary
3.732, 201.42
J288 Jennifer Brooke Y220
8.022, 56.93
434 Paul Gargus
5.256, 125.76
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EARLY LEADERS - Q-2 RADIAL VS. THE WORLD
1. 1310 Melanie Salemi Buffalo, NY '19 Camaro 3.621, 208.81
2. 2997 Marcus Birt Gray, Ga. Corvette 3.625, 204.26
3. 0 David Reece Temple, GA. 3.646, 202.36
4. 69 Stevie "Fast" Jackson Evans, Ga. 2015 Camaro 3.652, 209.62
5. 2033 Bryan Markiewicz Largo, Fla. '68 Camaro 3.692, 202.24
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WEDNESDAY Q-1 - RADIAL VS. THE WORLD
CLICK HERE FOR RADIAL VS. THE WORLD QUALIFYING LIST
2521 Enzo Pecchini 21 Jason Hoard
3.999, 183.89 3.979, 199.17
2501 Scott Husted 1986 Phil Bohle
10.232, 67 10.211
2997 Marcus Birt 72 - Chad Henderson
3.625, 204.26 4.190, 175.87
336 Tom Blincoe 2060 Jeff Shawver
3.899, 185.87 7.701, 96.01
767 Marty Stinnett 1978 Mark Micke
3.880, 195.73 5.126, 115.09
6272 - NOT ON FILE 2840 Frank Mewshaw
3.710, 211.69 4.549, 118.50
171 Rachel Jewell 865 Jack Greene
5.687, 147.57 5.981, 101.79
288M EV Bernardo 9191 Shawn Ayers
6.135, 78.28 3.778, 200.68
925 Tim Kincaid 2010 Mark Woodruff
4.112, 140.30 13.542, 47.91
2033 Bryan Markiewicz 601 Scott Coxwell
3.692, 202.24 10.252, 49.96
69 Stevie "Fast" Jackson 69L Lyle Barnett
3.652, 209.62 8.279, 58
205 Kevin Rivenbark 526 Chris Cadotto
7.590, 103.87 4.382, 170.34
584 Tim Slavens 2300 Brad Edwards
9.174, 84.18 3.969, 167.74
1310 Melanie Salemi MX1068 Mike Black
8.279, 84.02 8.262, 83.74
TRACK PREP BREAK
1771 Paulo Giust
3.797, 200.00
2300C Heidi Carlisle 726 Carrie Ann PeeBee
7.689, 76.10 6.947, 121.72
0 David Reece 40 Alex Laughlin
3.646, 202.36 3.831, 198.01
2792 Jamie Hancock 2105 Norman Bryson
8.078, 82.05 8.986, 45.66
222 - NO NAME ON FILE
5.154, 138.66
3314 Luis Ouimette 103 Mike Decker
3.962, 183.05 3.827, 195.42
12 Luis DeLeon 1755 Mike Decker II
N/T 10.216, 61.96
44 Timmy Meisner 411 David Vasser
3.712, 202.58 8.635, 69.68
2003 - NOT ON FILE X220 - NOT ON FILE
6.199, 84.59 5.080, 137.72
1887 George Williams 521X Eddie Dooley
7.961, 75.03 6.780, 76.94
1976 - NOT ON FILE R302 Jason Rueckart
4.107, 180.48 NO TIME
420 BC Cantor
6.663, 86.25
TRACK PREP BREAK
2626 Henry Gibson 68 Roger Holder
BROKE 4.055, 191.87
2107 Matt Bell 6 Shane Stack
6.436, 98.80 5.304, 108.76
434 Paul Gargus 6996 - NOT ON FILE
6.272, 99.92 9.853, 68.73
J288 Jennifer Brooke Rice
5.040, 113.38
EARLY LEADERS - Q-1 RADIAL VS. THE WORLD
1. 2997 Marcus Birt Gray, Ga. Corvette 3.625, 204.26
2. 0 David Reece Temple, GA. 3.646, 202.36
3. 69 Stevie "Fast" Jackson Evans, Ga. 2015 Camaro 3.652, 209.62
4. 2033 Bryan Markiewicz Largo, Fla. '68 Camaro 3.692, 202.24
5. #6272 NO NAME ON FILE 3.710, 211.69
CLICK HERE FOR X275 RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR PRO 275 RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR ULTRA STREET RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR LIMITED DRAG RADIAL RESULTS
CLICK HERE FOR LIMITED 235
