by Lee Craft; Photos by Adam Dobbs
Knoxville Dragway is often quiet, but when the Southeast Gassers Association arrived for the MAHLE Nationals, it became a stage for chaos. The event, billed as “Mountain Madness,” lived up to its name with crashes, controversy and championship implications.
Friday’s test and tune established the mood. Super Stock veteran Jerry Dean nearly stood his Chevy II on its bumper, while rookie Barry Adler lost control of his Corvette, hit the wall, spun through the shutdown area and emerged unhurt.
Madness followed in A/Gas testing. Todd Blackwell’s Sling Shot Chevy II darted across lanes and nearly collided with Greg Stelse’s Pontiac before both regained control.
Saturday’s qualifying brought new drama. Chase Howard led A/Gas with a 5.23 ET while chasing points leader Leslie Horne. But Horne was disqualified after his Chick Magnet gasser overshot the scales and crew contact with the car violated SEGA rules.
Alan Pittman was reinstated but fell in the semifinals to Kenneth Phillips. Phillips, driving the Silver Streak II Corvette, reached the final to face Howard, who had advanced past Blackwell.
The showdown of the top two qualifiers ended in disaster for Howard. His Chevelle brushed the wall, spun and rolled, while Phillips powered straight to his first win of 2025. Howard exited unharmed, but he and Horne now share the points lead.
In B/Gas, Charlie Lee qualified No. 1 with a 5.64 in his Mustang but fell in round two to Ted McKee’s Rocky Top Missile. McKee then eliminated points leader Ken Rainwater before facing Mike Blackwell’s Thunderbird in the final.
McKee defeated Blackwell for his first win of 2025. The victory cut into Rainwater’s season-long lead and gave McKee momentum heading into the stretch run.
C/Gas produced its own upheaval. Top qualifier Jerren Perdue again set the pace in his Chevy II wagon, while points contender Ernie Smith lost in round one to Diana Casto. Casto advanced to the semifinals but lost to Perdue despite a .001 reaction time.
Perdue went on to face Tim Hall, a two-time class champion competing in only his third race of the season. In a close final, Perdue edged Hall for his fourth victory of 2025, extending his points lead.
Super Stock followed familiar form. Dean, already dominant all year, qualified No. 1, reset the class record at 6.305 and beat Rob Walden in the final to continue his near-perfect season.
The A/FX division delivered a redemption story. Jeffrey Ferguson debuted his Wild-N-Wooly II earlier this year at Knoxville without a win but returned to claim victory over Walden’s Dixie Twister.
H/Gas provided the weekend’s surprise. With Todd Hinds sidelined by injury, veteran Quain Stott stepped into the Corn Pop Studebaker and drove it to victory over Larry Noel’s Crazy Pony Anglia.
Stott summed up the appeal of SEGA racing in his winner’s interview. “If I had gone out round one, I would have had just as much fun,” he said.
The MAHLE Nationals highlighted everything the Southeast Gassers Association has come to represent — record runs, unexpected disqualifications, mechanical issues and dramatic on-track moments. Knoxville’s “Mountain Madness” reinforced why the gasser revival continues to resonate with fans and racers alike.
The series now turns to its first-ever double-race weekend at Gulfport Dragway. With points battles tightening in A/Gas and B/Gas, and others slipping out of reach, the final stretch of the season promises more drama.
“Every race in this series tests you in ways you don’t expect,” Phillips said after his first A/Gas win. “That’s what makes winning one of these trophies so special — you know you earned it.”
2025 SOUTHEAST GASSERS ASSOCIATION REMAINING SCHEDULE
- Oct. 10-11: Gulfport Dragway “Cruise the Coast” (Two-race weekend)
Oct. 31-Nov. 1: Shadyside Dragway — 2025 Finals
