The Southeast Gassers Association combined nostalgia and horsepower with record-breaking crowds during the Gulf Coast Nationals at Gulfport Dragway, held in conjunction with Cruisin’ The Coast. The event marked the first time in series history that SEGA held two championship points races in one weekend.
Track officials reported unprecedented attendance, with spectators lined “all the way down to the quarter mile on both sides,” according to the announcer. A gate worker described the crowd as “double file all the way back to the main road,” confirming the weekend as the biggest in history for both SEGA and Gulfport Dragway.
Fans traveled from as far as Iowa and Texas to witness two days of racing that featured first-time winners, record performances, and key championship shifts. The event showcased why SEGA’s brand of period-correct gasser racing continues to draw modern-day audiences.
By the end of the weekend, SEGA competitors had not only rewritten records but also carved their names into the association’s history books. The atmosphere resembled drag racing’s golden era, with fans pressed against the fences, engines roaring, and nostalgia machines lighting up the night.
For Gulfport Dragway and SEGA alike, the collaboration proved mutually beneficial. The combination of Crusin’ The Coast’s classic car festival and SEGA’s championship racing created an ideal storm for attendance and enthusiasm, uniting two cultures that celebrate automotive heritage.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS: SCAG Racing and Justin Ashley are heading into the NHRA Nevada Nationals with a major change — longtime crew chief Mike Green has parted ways with the team. Tommy DeLago steps up as crew chief as Ashley continues his fight for the Top Fuel championship.
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Friday night’s program, normally reserved for testing, became a full points race that delivered historic results under the lights. In A/Gas, Chase Howard rebounded from a recent crash by resetting the class record with a 5.14-second pass before falling in round two on a holeshot.
The upset win went to Wisconsin’s Greg Stelse, who drove his ’57 Pontiac “The Joker” to his first-ever SEGA victory by defeating Leslie Horne in the final. Both racers overcame mechanical issues before staging for the deciding round, capping one of the most competitive A/Gas showdowns of the year.
In B/Gas, points leader Ken Rainwater and rival Ted McKee faced off in a battle with major championship implications. McKee captured his second consecutive win in his “Rocky Top Missile” Chevy II, tightening the title chase heading into Saturday’s second race.
C/Gas saw a matchup of former champions, with Todd Oden driving his “Double XX” ’58 Chevy to victory over Tim Hall. Oden, the 2024 champion, overcame recent health and mechanical struggles to earn his first win of 2025 and reestablish himself as a threat in the class.
Super Stock champion Jerry Dean continued his dominance by qualifying No. 1 and winning over Bryant Dalton Sr. in the final with a 6.40-second pass. Dean’s weekend performance added another chapter to his impressive title defense.
A/FX and H/Gas competitors also delivered entertainment under the Gulfport lights. Mississippi native Todd Wimberly took the A/FX win in his “Southern Comfort” Falcon, while Larry Noel represented H/Gas as the lone entry, performing full burnouts and passes in his “Crazy Pony” Anglia to the delight of fans.
Saturday afternoon brought a new set of challenges and another sold-out crowd as SEGA ran its second championship race of the weekend. The unique doubleheader format tested both equipment and endurance, forcing teams to balance performance and reliability under warm Gulf Coast conditions.
In A/Gas, points leader Leslie Horne looked to extend his lead in the “Chick Magnet” 1955 Chevy but suffered a broken transmission in round one. That opened the door for Chase Howard, who had rebuilt his Chevelle after a crash just weeks earlier.
Howard qualified second, advanced through eliminations, and faced Ben Christopher in the final. When Christopher red-lighted, Howard crossed the finish line as the victor, completing a remarkable comeback story and taking over the A/Gas points lead heading into the season finale.
The B/Gas competition took an unexpected turn when Ted McKee’s “Rocky Top Missile” struggled with carburetor issues, ending his chances early. With McKee out, the focus shifted to Ken Rainwater, but he too was eliminated before the finals.
The final pairing featured Charlie Lee’s white Mustang against Wayne Swafford’s red Chevy II, with both drivers seeking their first wins of the season. Swafford ran a quicker 5.66-second pass, but Lee’s reaction time sealed the win on a holeshot, giving him his second victory of the year and keeping the B/Gas title race alive.
In C/Gas, Friday night’s storyline repeated itself nearly frame-for-frame. Points leader Jerren Perdue qualified No. 1 but was again ousted in the semifinals by two-time champion Tim Hall. Hall advanced to face Todd Oden in a rematch of the previous night’s final.
The result was the same: Oden powered to victory in the “Double XX,” sweeping both races at Gulfport and restoring momentum to his program after months of setbacks. His consistency over the two days underscored why he remains one of SEGA’s most respected competitors.
Super Stock delivered a similar sweep, with Jerry Dean once again dominating from start to finish. Driving his distinctive Ford-powered entry, Dean clinched his second straight SEGA championship with back-to-back wins, leaving little doubt about his mastery of the class.
The A/FX category saw another repeat performance, as Todd Wimberly again defeated Allen Platt in the final. Despite Platt’s transmission issues, both racers represented the unique spirit of SEGA’s factory experimental class, where innovation meets nostalgia.
Larry Noel closed the weekend as H/Gas winner for the second time, improving his elapsed time from 7.42 to 7.29 seconds on his solo run. His dedication and sportsmanship resonated with fans, earning applause each time his “Crazy Pony” lit the scoreboard.
By the close of the weekend, three SEGA championships were mathematically decided. Todd Wimberly secured the A/FX crown, Jerry Dean locked up Super Stock, and Jerren Perdue clinched C/Gas. The remaining A/Gas and B/Gas titles will be determined at the Shadyside Dragway Finals on Oct. 31–Nov. 1.
In A/Gas, Howard’s comeback victory gives him a narrow advantage over defending champion Horne. In B/Gas, Rainwater and McKee remain within striking distance of each other, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 campaign.
The Gulf Coast Nationals not only produced side-by-side racing and personal triumphs but also solidified Gulfport Dragway’s reputation as one of the most fan-friendly venues in the Southeast. From record-breaking crowds to on-track milestones, the weekend captured everything that makes SEGA a cornerstone of nostalgia drag racing.
For track officials, racers, and fans alike, the event validated the tagline printed on the facility’s promotional banners — “The Racecation Destination.” With momentum and memories in hand, SEGA now heads to its season finale with championships still hanging in the balance.
Remaining 2025 SEGA Schedule:
Oct. 31–Nov. 1 – Shadyside Dragway (Season Finals)
