2010 - 2011 WAR STORIES SHOWDOWN
LINKS TO PAST EVENTS
2007 - 2008 - Scotty Cannon, Champion, Roy Hill, Runner-up
2008 - 2009 - John Force, Champion, Pat Musi, Runner-up
2009 - 2010 - Bill Doner, Champion, Pat Musi, Runner-up
EVENT COMPLETED - Final Round
#2 LOUIS FORCE [60.28] def. #8 ED RENCK [39.72]
COMPLETED RACES
FIRST ROUND
#3 ROY HILL [60.61] def. #14 BILL SHREWSBERRY [39.39]
#6 JON “THUNDERLUNGS” LUNDBERG [66.78] def. #11 HERB "MR. 4-SPEED" MCANDLESS [33.22]
#2 LOUIS FORCE [81.65] def. #15 STEVE REYES [18.35]
#10 JOHN "TARZAN" AUSTIN [50.01] def. #7 STEVE GIBBS [48.99]
#4 PAT MUSI (65.26) def. #13 JACK BECKMAN (34.74)
#5 TOMMY IVO (61.39) def. #12 ROB VANDERGRIFF 38.61
#16 RON COLSON (64.33) def. NO. 1 DENNY SAVAGE (35.67)
#8 ED RENCK (55.56) def. #9 DAVE SETTLES (44.44)
QUARTER-FINALS
#2 LOUIS FORCE [79.3] def. #12 JOHN AUSTIN [20.7]
#3 ROY HILL [67.06] def. #6 JON LUNDBERG [32.94]
#8 ED RENCK [69.67] def. #16 RON COLSON [30.33]
#4 PAT MUSI [55.81] def. #5 TOMMY IVO [44.19]
SEMI-FINALS
#8 ED RENCK [53.26] def. #4 PAT MUSI [46.74]
#2 LOUIS FORCE [59.97] def. No. 3 Roy Hill [41.03]
MON., JAN. 24 - Force Is The Story-Teller of the Year
Story-teller of the Year Has Been a Long-Sought Accolade …
Louie Force likes the sound of his newest title – storyteller of the year.
Force, older brother of 15-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, outdistanced Ed Renck, former NHRA Top Fuel/Pro Comp champion, to win the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com.
The War Stories Showdown pits 16 of the sport’s best yarn-spinners in a head-to-head battle to determine a story telling champion. Readers of the popular e-zine vote to seed the 16-contestant field and their votes also determined the winner in each individual race.
Over ten thousand votes cast and 33,645 words later, Force is now the champion at the one trait he inherited from his late uncle, the legendary Gene Beaver.
“I wish ole Uncle Beavs was still with us, because … he was the best story-teller of all time. This victory was for him,” said an elated Force.
“It was fun and moreover, I’m honored to have been able to go head-to-head with the legends of drag racing,” added Force, following the victory. “I’m really not anyone in drag racing and it’s a co-incidence that I’m John Force’s brother. All of the people I went up against made major moves in drag racing.
“The fact that I got to bang knuckles with them and then to win in the end, I’m almost afraid to say that I won because those guys have so much time and grade than I do in the sport. I didn’t beat Ed by much in the finals but I slipped by him in the end. Just to be on the list of the previous winners is overwhelming.”
Overwhelmed Force might be, but en route to the victory, he overwhelmed the competition. In four rounds of competition the No. 2 qualifier Force emerged as the low ET [largest vote percentage] in defeating noted drag racing photographer Steve Reyes, John “Tarzan” Austin and Roy Hill before meeting Renck on the trophy run with 60 percent of the votes.
Force joins past champions Scotty Cannon, John Force and Bill Doner with the victory. In joining the ring of champions, Force will be prevented from further participation in the competition.
That rule serves as a source of disappointment for Force, who holds out hope for a future Tournament of Champions competition.
“I still have some stories left to tell,” admitted Force. “In our family genes, John got the motor-mouth and I got the lawnmower. Once I get started telling stories, it takes me back to a time in racing when it was just so much fun. And just to think I didn’t tell any Porky the Pirate stories.
“If we can talk ole Bennett into having a competition of the champions, everyone had better look out – even my brother. I’m coming with my boxing gloves on. You have no idea how disappointed I am that I can’t compete in this again. I truly love this sport and the people and the stories … getting to tell them is a dream come true.”
With the victory, Force moves into a tie for second-winningest story-teller in the competition with five round wins.
For his part, Ed Renck was a strong story-teller from the No. 8 qualifying position defeating Dave Settles, Tommy Ivo and Pat Musi before losing to Force.
Force will receive a special plaque known as the “War Stories Scrolls” in victory. He’s already got the perfect place to hang the special award.
“It going right beside John’s in the museum,” Force said.
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MON., JAN. 17 - Force, Renck Final Set For Tuesday
One month, 31,524 words, and over 10,000 votes cast has whittled the Fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com down to a final
round of a legendary story-teller and a lesser known Top Fuel racer with the gift of gab.Beginning today, Louis Force and Ed Renck will battle for the next four days to determine drag racing’s best story teller for the 2010-2011 competition.
The War Stories Showdown presented by popular Internet magazine CompetitionPlus.com pits drag racing’s best story tellers in a head-to-head competition where they are paired on an NHRA professional eliminations ladder and eliminate down to one over the course of four weeks. Reader vote determines the qualifying position and the winner of each race.
Force, the No. 2 qualifier, regularly told stories of his experiences with his younger brother John Force, the 15-time NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car champion.
A former drag racer and wheelstander driver, Force is tied for the second most round wins in the annual competition with five round wins. If he wins the final round, he will surpass Roy Hill with six round wins.
To reach the final round, Force defeated legendary drag racing photographer Steve Reyes, former NHRA fuel racer John “Tarzan” Austin and then Hill.
“It’s fun doing it and for people to share in the ups and downs of the sport and there’s always the opportunity to shore up any misconceptions which may have been said about you at any given time,” said Force. “Sometimes things start out being one thing and before you realize it, your neck is in the noose. These are the stories where you usually tried to get yourself out of a situation without someone getting hurt.”
For Renck, there was little fanfare coming into the competition. He has advanced through the round on the strength of solid story-telling. The unheralded former NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel/Pro Comp racer from Denver, CO., is responsible for giving nitro tuner Lee Beard his first big break in drag racing.
Renck defeated Dave Settles in the first round and followed up the victory with a win over past Chi-Town Hustler driver Ron Colson. He pulled a huge upset by knocking off the winningest story-teller in the competition – Pat Musi.
“We’ve had a blast doing this,” said Renck. “I sure miss that era in drag racing [1970s] and it’s become so professional and political today.”
Voting for the competition ends on Friday, Jan. 21 at 5 PM, EST.
Past winners of the competition include Scotty Cannon (2007-2008), John Force (2008-2009) and mega drag racing promoter Bill Doner (2009-2010).
To read the Force vs. Renck stories, click on FINAL ROUND
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THURS., JAN. 13 - Renck Beats Musi To Reach Finals; Force Leading Hill Into Final Day
Ed Renck was a successful NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel/Pro Comp racer by facing the odds head-on and beating them. Over two decades after ending his racing career, he’s confirming the game plan still works.
Renck is headed to the championship round of the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com. By knocking off Dave Settles, Ron Colson and now Pat Musi he’ll battle the winner of the Louis Force/Roy Hill match for the honor of drag racing’s story-teller of the year 2010 – 2011.
Force currently leads Hill in the voting scheduled to end this afternoon.
The final round is slated for next Tuesday, Jan. 18 with the winner crowned on the following Friday.
Renck has used stories chronicling the first time he attempted a fire burnout and the near arrest which ensued. He then told the story of a match race with a rocket car which produced nearly dire consequences for his opponent and the comedic twist. The story he used to knock of the competition’s winningest participant, Musi, was about a fake body cast and the ultimate prank on his fellow racers.
Force’s battle with Hill began as a neck and neck battle with the lead changing multiple times throughout the day. However, later in the evening Force pulled ahead with a 60.16-percent share of the votes.
In their battle, Force used lane choice to tell his story first of an escapade with his famous brother John Force where they had to recover a trailer rightfully theirs and the subsequent shotgun-wielding lady and accidently running over an important community official in the escape.
For his part, Hill told the story of an undisclosed era and location when a theft ring at the track picked the wrong coach to break into. His account of the aftermath backs up a popular urban legend making its way around drag racing circles.
WED., JAN. 12 -Unheralded Renck Will Take Lead into Final Day of Semi-Final, Day One Competition
Ed Renck entered the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com with a very low chance of winning. However, headed into the final 
day of voting for the semi-final, day one, he’s apparently unbeatable.
Renck, the former NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel racer, has been a total surprise in knocking off talented story-tellers Dave Settles and Ron Colson. He brings a 59.95-percent share of the votes headed into the final hours of his race against story-telling titan Pat Musi.
Renck tells a story of fooling the competition with a fake body cast while Musi spins a yarn about his friend Kojak and his tendency to drive illegally.
Voting for the Renck-Musi race ends Wednesday at 5 PM, EST.
MON., JAN. 10 - War Stories Postponed Until Tuesday
The semi-finals of the War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com will resume Tuesday morning. This annual story-telling competition was originally scheduled to resume this morning but due to circumstances beyond our control, the first of two pairs, Pat Musi versus Ed Renck, will launch at 7 AM, EST on Tuesday and conclude Wednesday, 5 PM.
The second day of the semi-finals, Louis Force versus Roy Hill, will continue on schedule with voting to end on Thursday, 5 PM.
FRI., JAN. 7 - Force, Hill Fill Final Two War Stories Semi-final Spots
One is a past mountain motor Pro Stock legend.
The other is a former wheelstander pilot whose brother is the winningest professional drag racer in history.
These two drag racers of old share a common bond and that’s story telling.
Next Wednesday, Louis Force, the former wheelstanders will rise to the challenge of Roy Hill, voted No. 3 all-time of mountain motor Pro Stock drivers will meet for the first time to determine who can tell the best story during the semi-final round of the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com.
On Thursday, Force continued his torrid march through the field by securing 79.3 percent of the votes in his battle against Top Fuel Wildman John “Tarzan” Austin.
Hill, the second winningest competitor in the history of the competition with five round wins, eliminated Jon Lundberg by earning 67.06 percent of the votes.
By virtue of his larger percentage, Force gets lane choice. Lane choice in this competition ensures the contestant gets to tell their story first. On the voting ballot, their name is on the left – symbolizing the revered left lane.
Earlier in the week, Pat Musi, a two-time finalist in the competition, defeated TV Tommy Ivo to advance to his second consecutive semi-final round.
Musi will meet the largest surprise of the competition in the unheralded former NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel racer Ed Renck. Renck will actually have lane choice in their Tuesday battle on the strength of his victory over former Chi-Town Hustler driver Ron Colson.
THURS., JAN 06 - Force, Hill Brings Leads Into Final Day Quarter-final Voting
A semi-final showdown is brewing but first there’s the order at hand in Quarter-final, Day 2 competition during the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com.
Both Louis Force and Roy Hill amassed large leads in their races and entering the final day of voting for the second round, are in the final phases of setting up a monumental semi-final battle between the story-telling titans.
Force grabbed a 79.95-percentage of the votes in his match against John “Tarzan” Austin, a former Top Fuel racer in the 1960s and 70s. The brother of 15-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force, Force told a story of the natural talents of his younger driver and at least one situation which could have been really bad. For his part, Austin spun a yarn about the unsinkable Robert Frakes.
On the other side of the ladder, Hill snagged a 67.88-percent share of first day votes in his race against legendary drag racing announcer Jon Lundberg. The Pro Stock legend Hill told a story of cheating in Pro Stock and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Meanwhile in the other lane, Lundberg told a story of getting his first big break in drag racing.
Voting for the quarter-final round ends today at 5 PM, EST.
On Tuesday, both Pat Musi and Ed Renck won their respective rounds setting up one of the two semi-final races.
Musi is currently the winningest story teller in the competition with 8 victories. If his lead holds, Hill could pull into second place with 5 round wins. If Force’s lead holds, he will move into a five way tie for third place at 4 round wins with Scotty Cannon, John Force, Bill Doner and Gary Scelzi.
WED., JAN. 05 - Musi, Renck Thunder Into Semi-finals
The wins keep piling up for Pat Musi in CompetitionPlus.com’s War Stories Showdown, a competition which pits drag racing’s finest story-tellers in a head-to-head 
competition with the reader’s making the final decision.
Meanwhile, Ed Renck, the unheralded 1970s NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel racer, continues to sneak up on the competition and has flown under the radar all the way to the semi-finals in his first participation.
Musi in a close two-day battle with veteran nitro racer Tommy Ivo scored a 55.81-percent share of the votes to claim his eighth War Stories round win. The former Pro Stock racer turned Pro Street champion Musi has won eight rounds of competition to advance to his third consecutive semi-final match.
Renck grabbed a massive 69.67-percent share of the votes in his second round match against former Chi-Town Hustler driver Ron Colson.
By virtue of his larger vote share, Renck will have lane choice over Musi in the semis.
Day two of the quarter-finals competition will begin on Wednesday with Louis Force battling John “Tarzan” Austin and Roy Hill matching up with Jon Lundberg.
TUES., JAN. 04 - Musi, Renck Lead Quarter-final Races
Pat Musi and Ed Renck lead their respective quarter-finals, day one voting in the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by CompetitionPlus.com, a competition which pits drag racing’s best story-tellers in a head-to-head competition.
The first and final rounds have three days of voting but for the quarter and semi-finals, voting is limited to just two days. Voting for these races ends this afternoon at 5 PM, EST.
Musi grabbed 53.85-percent of the first day votes in his race against nitro racing legend Tommy Ivo.
Musi came out firing in the second round with his story of a track in Hattiesburg, Ms, where you not only race at your own risk but also spectate. In the other lane, Ivo tells a story of priceless pranks.
In the other first day, quarter-final match a surprising Renck, a past NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel racer, continues his incredible run through the field. He grabbed a 65.59-percent share of the votes against Ron Colson, who knocked off the No. 1 qualifier Denny Savage in the first round.
Renck tells a story of racing a rocket car and the explosive ramifications of ego, and not his. In the other lane, Colson told a priceless story of top end mayhem and the Chi-town Hustler
FRI., Dec. 31 - The First Round is now complete
Both Veterans and First Timers Make For Exciting Kick Off
Sixteen stories of drag racing experiences told, thousands of votes cast and the first round of competition for the fourth annual CompetitionPlus.com War Stories presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com is in the books. The favorites largely advanced to the second, six of eight to be exact.
However, there were two upsets. Ron Colson from the lowly No. 16 seeding looked like a top ranked runner as the beat No. 1 qualifier Denny Savage in a battle of former Chi-Town Hustler drivers.
The other bottom-half advancement belonged to No. 10 seeded John “Tarzan” Austin as he battled No. 7 Steve Gibbs down to the wire in a race that was ultimately decided by less than 15 votes.
Low elapsed time, or largest vote getter, belonged to Louis Force as he knocked off Steve Reyes with 81.65 percent of the votes cast in their matchup.
Veterans Pat Musi, Roy Hill and Tommy Ivo also advanced to the second round.
In a surprise win, the lesser known Ed Renck, a former Div. 5 NHRA Top Fuel racer, knocked off Dave Settles in the first round. Jon Lundberg, another first timer, beat alternate Herb McCandless to advance to the quarters.
Competition pauses for the New Year’s break but resumes on Monday with Bracket A and Bracket B competition. Colson meets Renck in a battle of first time participants. In a battle of veterans, Musi does battle with Ivo.
Bracket C and Bracket D competition kicks off on Wednesday with Force battling Austin. Closing out the competition Hill will meet Lundberg.
THURS., DEC. 30 - Hill, Lundberg Bring Leads Into Final Day of Voting
The first round of competition in the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com will conclude at 5 PM, EST today.
The final two races, Roy Hill versus “Wild” Bill Shrewsberry and Jon Lundberg versus Herb McCandless will determine the final quarter-final pairing scheduled for next week.
Hill jumped out to an early advantage after the first day and by the second day, his 61.45-percent share of the votes has become nearly impossible to beat.
Lundberg, just like Hill, jumped out to an early lead but pulled away on the second day with a 69.16 share of the votes. If his lead holds and Hill’s doesn’t increase, Lundberg will score important lane choice in their second round meeting.
Lane choice is the equivalent of a competitor gaining the privilege of telling their story first.
Force, Austin Advance to Quarter-finals
Louis Force and John “Tarzan” Austin will meet in next Wednesday’s second round of competition during the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com.
Force scored low elapsed time [highest vote percentage] in his first round victory over noted drag racing photographer by telling his story of a runaway wheelstander and the true story of landing a sponsorship from it.
In the other race, the closest of any of the first round battles, the former Top Fuel racer Austin edged Steve Gibbs by less than 15 votes to earn the opportunity to race Force in the quarter-finals.
Force will have lane choice in their battle scheduled for January 5, 2011.
WED., DEC. 29 - Hill, Lundberg Grab First Day Leads for Rd 1, Day 4 Races
Roy Hill and Jon Lundberg jumped out to early leads in the 4th annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com Round 1, Day 4 
competition.
Hill, who was the runner-up in the inaugural event to Scotty Cannon, grabbed a 62.8 percent share of the votes in his battle with former wheelstander legend “Wild” Bill Shrewsberry. A late evening voter surge from the Pro Stock legend turned drag racing school instructor enabled him to put distance between he and Shrewsberry.
Hill told a story about his escapades with cousin Speedy, friends Footsie and Basie, machine guns, fire extinguishers and about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. For his part, Shrewsberry told a story about Tommy Ivo, one of the more popular subjects of the opening round.
In a battle of legendary figures, announcer Jon Lundberg has jumped out to a 73.89 percent share of the voting in his battle against Mopar Pro Stock legend Herb McCandless.
McCandless entered the competition as an alternate for No. 11 qualifier Whit Bazemore who was forced to withdraw from the competition due to business demands.
Lundberg’s story paints a picture of the day Jack “Doc” Watson, Hurst executive, drew the ire of a high school principal for testing the original Hemi Under Glass. In the other “lane”, McCandless told a historic story about his early days as a Chevrolet 4-speed racer.
Voting for these races ends on Thursday at 5 PM, EST.
WED., DEC. 29 - Austin/Gibbs Will Go Down to Wire; Force Holds Overwhelming Lead
Only three times out of 56 total races has a race in the War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com been decided by less than ten votes. John “Tarzan” Austin and Steve Gibbs are knocking on the door becoming the fourth.
In a battle that has changed leaders nearly a dozen times, Austin has grabbed a 51.38-percent share of the votes over Steve Gibbs in an overnight surge of votes. Both Austin and Gibbs represent an onslaught of first-time competitors in the four year old competition of storytelling skills.
Voting for this race ends at 5 PM, EST.
The other Round 1, Day 3 match hasn’t been as close and could potentially feature the largest percentage total [i.e. cyber low elapsed time].
Louis Force brings a whopping 81.47 percentage of the votes in his battle against Steve Reyes.
The winner of the Austin-Gibbs deadlock will meet in all likelihood Force.
TUES., DEC. 27 - Force Jumps Out To Commanding Lead; Austin/Gibbs Deadlocked
After one day of voting for the first round -- third day eliminations in the War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, Louis Force upheld the family tradition of being master story-tellers by grabbing a huge first day advantage over veteran photographer Steve Reyes.
Force jumped out to an overwhelming 80.84-percent share of the votes cast. His story of an out of control wheelstander involving his famous Funny Car driving-brother John Force has been a hit.
For his part, Reyes told a story of why cherry bombs, freelancers and loaner cars never have a good outcome.
Just as Force has an overwhelming lead in his race, former Top Fuel prankster John “Tarzan” Austin and past NHRA race director Steve Gibbs are locked into one of the closest races of the event. The lead in their race changed approximately eight times in the first 24 hours.
Austin has pulled out a slight lead headed into the second day on the strength of a story involving former traveling buddy TV Tommy Ivo. Equally humorous, Gibbs tells a story about a track truck with the best backfire ability and a propensity to belch a flame from the tailpipe.
Voting for these races ends on Wednesday at 5 PM, EST.
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FRIDAY, DEC. 24 - MUSI, IVO ADVANCE TO WAR STORIES QUARTERS
Drag racing veterans Pat Musi and Tommy Ivo will meet in the second round of the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com.
Pro Stock legend turned Pro Street champion Musi scored an overwhelming 65.26 to 34.74 victory over current NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car racer Jack Beckman. With his victory, Musi extended his winningest story-teller mark to seven career round wins. The closest win total is four.
FRIDAY, DEC. 24 - MUSI, IVO ADVANCE TO WAR STORIES QUARTERSDrag racing veterans Pat Musi and Tommy Ivo will meet in the second round of the fourth annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com.
Pro Stock legend turned Pro Street champion Musi scored an overwhelming 65.26 to 34.74 victory over current NHRA Full Throttle Funny Car racer Jack Beckman. With his victory, Musi extended his winningest story-teller mark to seven career round wins. The closest win total is four.
Musi told a story of mayhem following a 1979 IHRA event at Rockingham Dragway which included moonshine, drunken sheriffs and food fights.
Ivo, in his second War Stories Showdown, scored his first round win on the strength of a tale about two ride-a-alongs. One of the rides he chickened out on and the other he stood in the pocket bravely.
Ivo’s victory came at the expense of Pro Modified pioneer Rob Vandergriff, whose story of longtime friend and traveling buddy Charles Carpenter fell short in the 61.39 to 38.61 decision.
Musi and Ivo will race on Jan. 3 – 4.
Also contesting their quarter-final match on that day will be No. 16 Ron Colson vs. No. 8 Ed Renck.
The competition pauses for Christmas break but will resume on Monday, Dec. 27 with No. 2 Louie Force squaring off against No. 15 Steve Reyes. No. 7 qualifier Steve Gibbs meets No. 10 John “Tarzan” Austin.
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THURSDAY DEC. 23 - Renck, Colson Advance to second round, Musi and Ivo lead second day races
Musi, Ivo Take Leads Into Final Day of Bracket B 1st Rd.
Ron Colson scored a monster upset during the first day eliminations of the 4th annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com.
Colson, starting from the No. 16 qualifying position, jumped out to an early lead against top seeded Denny Savage and never looked back en route to a 64.33-percent of the votes to 35.67 victory.
Colson used the story of a Chi-town burnout gone wrong to score his opening round victory. For his part, Savage, a past Chi-Town Hustler driver, told a story of a never-ending weekend on the road with legendary tuner Austin Coil.
Also winning was Ed Renck, former NHRA Division 5 Top Fuel racer, as he repelled a final day charge from Dave Settles.
Like Colson, Renck led his battle from start to finish. His story of an impromptu fire burnout and threatened arrest enabled him to jump out early and gain nearly a 75-percent share of the votes.
However, Settles, and his story of banner payback, narrowed the gap in the last two days to 11.12-percent. Renck grabbed 55.56 of the votes at the end to advance to the second round.
By virtue of his larger percentage, Colson secures “lane choice” in his January 3 quarter-final race against Renck.
FINAL DAY TO VOTE FOR RD. 1, DAY 2 RACES
Voting for the Round 1, Day 2 races ends today at 5 PM, EST.
Competitors Pat Musi and Tommy Ivo are looking to fend off last day charges from their competition as voting concludes.
Musi holds a commanding 65.57 share of the votes in his battle against Jack Beckman.
Both Musi and Beckman have entertaining stories. Musi spins a yarn about drunken sheriffs and food fights. Beckman tells about a “crash course” in drag racing school.
Ivo holds a 61.30 percent share of the votes in his match against Rob Vandergriff. Ivo tells a story about a couple of over-the-edge ride-a-longs. Vandergriff tells a story about his gun-toting traveling sidekick – Charles Carpenter.
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WEDNESDAY DEC. 22 - Colson, Renck Take Leads Into Final Day of Qualifying
Pending a miracle, contestants Ron Colson and Ed Renck will meet in the second round of the 4th annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com.
Voting for the first day of eliminations of the story telling competition ends today at 5 PM EST.
Colson leads Savage by 48-percent of the votes on the strength of a Chi-town burnout gone wrong. If his lead holds, Colson will be the second No. 16 qualifier to knock off the No. 1 qualifier. IHRA President Aaron Polburn pulled off this feat in the 2007 – 2008 event by knocking off John Force.
In the other first day race, former NHRA Div. 5 Ed Renck holds a 53-percent lead over Dave Settles with his story of a fickle track owner and a surprise fire burnout.
Day two, first round eliminations kicked off yesterday and in those battles Tommy Ivo leads Rob Vandergriff and Pat Musi is up on Jack Beckman.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE BETTER STORY – Round One, Day One [Savage vs. Colson], [Renck vs. Settles]
Round two of the first round began yesterday with Pat Musi versus Jack Beckman and TV Tommy Ivo battling Rob Vandergriff.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE BETTER STORY – Round One, Day Two [Musi vs. Beckman], Ivo vs. Vandergriff]
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TUESDAY DEC. 21 - COLSON, RENCK LEAD FIRST DAY ELIMINATION RACES
The first day of voting for the 4th annual War Stories Showdown yielded the makings of an upset with No. 16 seed Ron Colson grabbing a 43.78-percent lead against No. 1 qualifier Denny Savage in a battle of former Chi-Town Hustler drivers.
Former NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel racer Ed Renck also leads his race against Dave Settles in a battle of the No. 8 – 9 qualifiers.
Colson told a story of a Chi-Town burnout gone wrong while Savage told a story of true grit in a 2000-plus mile race weekend.
Renck, in his battle with Settles, told a story of the time he nearly ended up incarcerated for doing an unannounced fire burnout. He holds a 44.36-percent lead headed into second day voting.
For his part, Settles offered a humorous tale of banner-flying payback against fellow pranksters.
Voting for the first day of round one eliminations ends on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 5 PM, EST.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE BETTER STORY – Round One, Day One
Round two of the first round began today with Pat Musi versus Jack Beckman and TV Tommy Ivo battling Rob Vandergriff.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR THE BETTER STORY – Round One, Day Two
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SATURDAY DEC. 19 - SAVAGE HEADS INTO MONDAY'S ELIMINATIONS AS NO. 1 SEED; FIRST ROUND PAIRINGS SET
Savage leapt from fourth to first during the second day of qualifying, passing veterans Louie Force, Roy Hill and Pat Musi. The qualifying portion of the event is determined by a reader vote based on who they believe can tell the best stories.
“There's not a lot of humor in my stories, at least the ones I can tell,” said Savage with a smile. “[There’s] just a lot of hardcore racing from the old days. I’m just honored to be a part of this competition.”
Savage admits he never raced nitro looking over his shoulder but this competition is another story. Falling into the second seed is Louis Force, brother of 15-time Funny Car champion John Force. Force was upset last year in the semi-finals by Pat Musi.
“I’ve know Louie Force for a lot of years and he’s the story teller for sure,” Savage admitted. “He’ll probably win this hands-down.”
Force led the first day qualifying but quickly fell behind the Savage surge in voting. Behind Force are veterans Roy Hill, Pat Musi and “TV” Tommy Ivo.
One competitor, Whit Bazemore, the No. 11 qualifier, was forced to withdraw from the competition due to unexpected and sudden business demands related to his new television series. His spot will be filled by first alternate and Pro Stock legend Herb McCandless.
Savage will be in the first group of competitors to kick off the competition on Monday. Savage will face another former Chi-Town Hustler and No. 16 qualifier Ron Colson in the first round of competition. In a battle of No. 8 versus 9, former NHRA Div. 5 Top Fuel racer Ed Renck will meet Dave Settles.
A day later, No. 4 Musi battles it out with first-time participant Jack Beckman. Musi has reached the finals in two consecutive seasons. Closing out the pre-Christmas portion of the event, No. 5 Ivo battles Pro Modified pioneer Rob Vandergriff.
The event pauses for Christmas break and returns on Dec. 27, with the other side of the ladder. Those matches include No. 2 Force vs. No. 15 Steve Reyes and former NHRA race director Steve Gibbs matches up with John “Tarzan” Austin. The final portion of the ladder begins on Dec. 28 with No. 3 Hill meeting for “Wild” Bill Shrewsberry and concludes with No. 6 Jon Lundberg meeting McCandless.
UPDATE: The actual No. 16 qualifier was Ron Colson and not Steve Reyes. We apologize for this mistake in the article.
FIRST ROUND PAIRINGS
1st round - #1 Denny Savage 21.66 vs. #16 Ron Colson 1.54, #8 Ed Renck 5.03 vs. #9 Dave Settles 4.0 -- Dec. 20, 21, 22
#4 Pat Musi 10.16 vs. #13 Jack Beckman, #5 Tommy Ivo vs. #12 – Rob Vandergriff -- Dec. 21, 22, 23
PAUSE FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK
#2 Louis Force 11.61 vs. #15 Steve Reyes 1.85, #7 Steve Gibbs vs. #10 John “Tarzan” Austin – Dec. 27, 28, 29
#3 Roy Hill 11.19 vs. #14 “Wild” Bill Shrewsberry 2.16, #6 Jon Lundberg 5.85 vs. #11Herb McCandless [Alternate] – Dec. 28, 29, 30
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Denny Savage used an overnight surge of votes to jump to the No. 1 spot headed into the final day of qualifying for the 4th annual Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com War Stories.
Savage, former driver of the famed Chi-Town Hustler, experienced nearly a 13-percent gain to jump ahead of Louis Force atop the 16-competitor field. With one day remaining in the seeding portion of the story-telling competition, he holds a seemingly insurmountable 22.15-percent of the votes.
The qualifying portion of the War Stories Showdown is determined by reader votes. Once paired, each competitor will tell a drag racing story in head-to-head competition, reader vote will then determine the winning story.
Competitors are seeded No. 1 through 16 on an NHRA professional elimination ladder.
Force, brother of 15-time Funny Car champion John Force, is second with an 11.83 share of the votes.
Pro Stock legend Roy Hill is third with an 11.29 while Pat Musi is 10.1.
Tommy Ivo is fifth with 6.08-percent of the votes.
Qualifying ends today at 5 PM, EST.
THURSDAY'S QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Denny Savage - 22.15%
2. Louie Force - 11.83%
3. Roy Hill - 11.29%
4. Pat Musi - 10.1%
5. Tommy Ivo - 6.08%
6. Jon Lundberg - 5.97%
7. Steve Gibbs - 4.99%
8. Ed Renck - 4.99%
9. Dave Settles - 3.91%
10. John “Tarzan” Austin - 3.58%
11. Rob Vandergriff - 3.47%
12. Whit Bazemore - 3.37%
13. Jack Beckman - 3.04%
14. Bill Shrewsberry - 2.28%
15. Steve Reyes - 1.52%
16. Ron Colson - 1.41%
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THURSDAY DEC. 16 - VETERANS DOMINATE FIRST DAY QUALIFYING
After one day of qualifying for the 4th annual War Stories Showdown presented by Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com, the veteran storytellers are dominating the qualifying vote totals.
The War Stories Showdown, a competition which pits 16 members of the drag racing community in a story-telling competition, votes to seed the field through Friday with the first round of eliminations slated for Monday.
Louis Force leads qualifying with a 14.45-percent share of the votes, just 1.33 ahead of Roy Hill. Last year Force qualified No. 2 and reached the semi-finals before losing to current No. 3 qualifier Pat Musi.
First-timers Denny Savage and Jon Lundberg round out the top five vote getters.
Qualifying concludes on Friday at 5 PM, EST.
War Stories Qualifying – Day One Voting
1. Louie Force - 14.45%
2. Roy Hill - 13.12%
3. Pat Musi - 12.13%
4. Denny Savage - 11.63%
5. Jon Lundberg - 7.64%
6. Tommy Ivo - 6.48%
7. Ed Renck - 6.31%
8. Steve Gibbs - 5.32%
9. John “Tarzan” Austin - 4.15%
10. Whit Bazemore - 3.65%
11. Rob Vandergriff - 3.65%
12. Dave Settles - 3.49%
13. Jack Beckman - 3.16%
14. Bill Shrewsberry - 2.66%
15. Steve Reyes - 1.33%
16. Ron Colson - 0.83%
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Drag racing’s finest story tellers will once again converge on the cyber strip of Attitude Apparel’s CompetitionPlus.com for the 4th annual War Stories Showdown,
a competition which pits sixteen members of the drag racing community around sitting around the cyber campfire in a story telling competition to determine the best. The entry list consists of a mix of new and familiar faces.
Two-time finalist Pat Musi and leading contender Louie Force, brother of past champion John Force, Roy Hill, Whit Bazemore and Tommy Ivo are a few of the returning competitors who hope to spin at least four yarns during the event. They are joined by first time competitors Jon “Thunderlungs” Lundberg, Rob Vandergriff, John “Tarzan” Austin, Denny Savage, Steve Gibbs and Ron Colson who hope to take home the legendary “War Stories Scrolls” plaque.
Since 2008, the leading Internet magazine has selected sixteen individuals, both past and present, racers and non-racers to compete in a month-long competition who are paired and eliminated just like a drag race. The win light is determined by reader vote.
Previous winners include Scotty Cannon, John Force and most recently, legendary drag racing promoter Bill Doner.
Starting tomorrow, Dec. 15, readers will vote on the 16 participants to seed the field. This is “qualifying” for the event. From there, the participants will be paired on an NHRA professional ladder. The top qualifier will face No. 16, #2 vs. #15, and so on.
Elimination rounds begin December 20 and run through December 23, to complete one side of the ladder. After a pause for Christmas break, the competition resumes with the other side of the ladder.
The quarter-finals begin on January 3, 2011 and conclude three days later.
The semis are slated to begin January 10 with the finals scheduled to begin a week later.
Throughout next week, Attitude’s CompetitionPlus.com will run the “Best of” stories from the last three events.
If you missed last year’s competition, here’s a link to the 2009 – 2010 EVENT HOMEPAGE
Qualifying Begins – Wednesday, Dec. 15, Concludes – Friday, December 17.
Eliminations
Eliminations
1st round - #1 vs. #16, #8 vs. #9 – Dec. 20, 21, 22
#4 vs. #13, #5 vs. #12 - Dec. 21, 22, 23
PAUSE FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK
#2 vs. #15, #7 vs. #10 – Dec. 27, 28, 29
#3 vs. #14, #6 vs. #11– Dec. 28, 29, 30
PAUSE FOR NEW YEAR’S BREAK
Quarter-finals -
BRACKET “A” – Jan. 3, 4
BRACKET “B” – Jan. 3, 4
BRACKET “C” – Jan. 5, 6
BRACKET “D” – Jan. 5, 6
Semi-finals
BRACKET A-B – Jan. 10, 11
BRACKET C-D - Jan. 12, 13
Finals
January 18, 19, 20
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