6/6/2024
Keith Haney
Keith Haney Racing overcomes throttle linkage and line-lock wire breakage on his way to the Semi-Finals
Keith Haney Racing overcomes throttle linkage and line-lock wire breakage on his way to the Semi-Finals
After winning the season opener at Osage Casino & Hotel Tulsa Raceway Park, Keith Haney and team arrived at the new Flying H Dragstrip prepared to continue their run towards a repeat Summit Racing Equipment Mid-West Drag Racing Series Pro Mod Class Championship.
Testing on Friday was good, with competitive passes and no issues. As Keith was midway through the first run of Qualifying on Friday night, the throttle linkage broke, resulting in a 3.877 pass. Putting him as 7th Qualifier. With rain setting in, the rest of qualifying would have to wait for Saturday morning.
Saturday Qualifying, the team was first to the lanes ready to move up the ladder. But, the line lock button wire had another idea…. As Keith staged, the wire broke and he rolled the beams, resulting in a redlight and locking in his 3.877 ET… Through round two of qualifying, four racers put up quicker times, pushing Keith and the Black Mamba to 11th for Round One of Eliminations.
Round One, we paired against #6 Qualifier Tony “Sandman” Williams in his screw-blown ‘69 Camaro. We advanced to Round Two, running a 3.784 ET. Sandman broke and was unable to make his pass, a first for him in a long time.
For Round Two we were paired against Wayne Roberts, another blower car and a silent assassin this year. In Wayne’s words, “We are still just sneaking up on this deal but that was a pass we can work with”, as he ran a 3.89 to Keith’s 3.729. Wayne went two rounds in the last event and in to the second round this weekend, he is figuring this new car out quickly and will be a car to watch all season!
Round Three came and pitted us against the #2 Qualifier, Ron Muenks. Eliminating two blower cars, and being the sole surviving nitrous car in the Semis, Keith had to lay down a solid pass if he hoped to make it to the Finals. With a great side by side race, Keith running his best pass of competition, Ron’s 3.642 would take him to the Finals. The Black Mamba continued to run faster as the weekend progressed, but the 3.705 wasn’t enough this time.
Ron, in the Purple Heart Firebird would go on to win the event against Brian Lewis in an all blower car final.
The team left the event still leading the Points Series, but by a much smaller margin than before. The team already has the car prepared for the next event with a freshen and a new rack prepared to go in when need be.
Juniors Program
Kilee Blevens, in her Lady America dragster, qualified 5th after two rounds of Qualifying in the Race Start Wheels Pro Junior Dragster class. Fourteen racers participated in the Pro Juniors Class and sadly Kilee was put out in Round One of Eliminations. She moved to Round One of the Junior Slammers Class, but was not able to advance. She would leave the event 5th in Points.
Braylee Blevens, in her Kandi dragster, qualified third in the nine racer field of Zimmerman Properties Sportsman Juniors. Between Qualifying and Eliminations, the team had to replace the entire brake control and sprocket of her racecar. Her second race within the series was a learning experience with a First Round loss to Racin Mason Higgins. This loss moved her to the Junior Slammers Class, but she was unable to advance passed the First Round. She would leave the event 6th in Points.
Both Junior cars are ready for the next race.
For media information, please contact Keith Haney
Submitted By: Michael Narx
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