(Words and Photos by Tommy Lee Byrd) – Bangshift contributor Tommy Lee Byrd hit it hard this weekend and covered a cool Heads Up race at Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip in Ringgold, Georgia. The event was highly anticipated, as it was the first big heads up race of the 2013 season in this region. The crew at Brainerd put together a bunch of classes to make sure the spectators got their money’s worth, and a wonderful weekend of weather made for a great turnout.
Friday night offered test-and-tune, as well as a single round of qualifying for the index classes. One of the coolest aspects of the race was the Quick 4 Shootout, which occurred Friday night during the 4.70 qualifications. After the 4.70 racers made one time shot, the quickest 4 were picked to face off in a “no breakout” shootout for $1,000. Then, Saturday afternoon, the 4.70 class held a parade lap in memory of Johnny Walker, the track crewman, who was killed last year in a racing accident.
The majority of the classes are set up on an eighth mile index, and included 7.0, 6.0, 5.70 and 4.70. The big dogs in the 4.70 class are always a big attraction, but Brainerd also added another element to this year’s heads up season—a couple of 275 Drag Radial classes. One is a street class, designed for the more streetable combinations, while the 275 Outlaw class is a true “run what ya brung” as long as it’s on a 275 tire.
The event also included heads up motorcycle racing, junior dragsters and Brainerd’s regular bracket racing program. The multitude of classes resulted in a huge car count and it kept the track busy all weekend. Our favorite car of the weekend had to be the ‘70s era, Chrysler-powered dragster campaigned by LONG TIME drag racer, Johnny Labbous. The Brainerd Heads Up Weekend had lots of offer, and they plan to do it on the third weekend of the month for the remainder of the season.
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