David Campbell weathers the storm; wins Big Dog thriller
It was a struggle all night, but we just kept on hammering" - David Campbell
(9-05-08)Julian, NC - There's a long list of reasons why David Campbell should not have won Piedmont Dragway's Big Dog shootout last night, but fortunately for Campbell, nobody told him his chances weren't looking too promising. When you've got a car that simply won't settle down you're suppose to lose, right? Ok, how about when your wheelie bars break, that ought end your night for sure hadn't it? Alright, suppose you somehow manage to slip a few tackles and escape the prior list set backs. Suddenly you find yourself in the finals - going up against the #1 qualifier - after narrowly making the field yourself. How good could your chances possibly be to pull this thing out?
David Campbell's trio of win lights last night at Piedmont equaled much more than just a win, or even the coveted Big Dog trophy. Campbell's "keep hamming" - "run it out the back door" - "never say die effort" is a classic example of the determination and thrill of drag racing. It's why we love it and it's what keeps us coming back for more.
Out of a massive field of 23 fast doorslammers, Campbell and his Pontiac Grand Am slid into the 8-car main event with a 4.30 @ 171mph; good enough for the #7 slot. Campbell's under the gun night of racing started right off the bat when he rolled to the line to face #2 qualifier, Brian Williams. Realistically, a hole-shot would sure come in handy, and that's exactly what Campbell got. Out of the gate with a .025, Campbell's 4.28 held off Williams' quicker 4.27 et.
Campbell caught a break in round two when J.D. Goad's Lumina broke at the starting line. For Campbell, the timing couldn't have been better. Although his single pass registered a respectable 4.317 @ 170mph, in Big Dog competition those numbers are ripe for the picking, and wouldn't even have made the field if we were still in qualifying.
With grandstands still packed, fans stood to their feet as Campbell rolled to the line for a final showdown with heavily favored Darrin Hoyle, the event's #1 qualifier. Campbell and Hoyle, each with ex-Pro Stock hardware, inched their way into the staging beams after sending clouds of thick, burnout smoke into the night sky. If David Campbell had another hole-shot in the bank, now would be a good time to cash it in as he faced a tough Darrin Hoyle. Tree flashes yellow and both cars react, with Campbell dead late out of the gate. A moment later, David's wheelie bars broke right underneath him as he's trying to catch Hoyle.
Campbell's Pontiac shakes and dances as it labors toward the finish line. Suddenly, at half track Hoyle's in trouble, his Chevy Cobalt bouncing around as he's fighting to keep the car glued and in the groove. In the closing moments, and with only a few feet of race track in front of him, Campbell streaked past Hoyle as the two thundered through the traps. The final numbers reflect a close and exciting race: David Campbell .113 rt - 4.36 @ 170mph. Darrin Hoyle .042 rt - 4.44 @ 160mph.
Campbell's win on Thursday night marked his first Big Dog trophy of 2008, and also the first time he's put his Grand Am - once campaigned by Greg Anderson - into the Big Dog winner's circle. "It was a struggle all night, but we just kept on hammering," laughed Campbell, who was thrilled with victory, but exhausted from his day of adversity. Additional wins for Campbell this season include an open field Quick-8 in Knoxville, TN, followed by a victory at Roxboro while competing in the East Coast Pro Glide series. David Campbell will be back in action Sept 27, with plans to compete in Dunn-Benson Drag Strip's final Top Dawg series event of 2008.
In Piedmont Dragway's consolation race, Chris Rini's all night driving from New York paid off when he scored some gas money in his good looking Dodge Stratus. Rini escaped a hole shot from Tony Wilson in round one, got past Tracy Cockman in the semis and then left on Joel Douglas in the finals to win Piedmont's consolation race for cars qualified 9-16. Rini's 4.36, held off a 4.34 from Douglas.
Catch the popular Big Dog series in action again on October 2. For more information about Big Dog and other scheduled events, please visit www.piedmontdragway.com
Story and photo by:
Van Abernethy Press Releases
3898 West Hwy 10
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 302-0356
www.VanTheManPhotos.com
Link to story is HERE
9th Annual Fall Fling
September 13th
One of the largest single day car shows in North Carolina is back for 2008. The 9th Annual Fall Fling will be held at Piedmont Dragway on September 13th. If you were not in attendance at the Spring Slamboree back in March, you missed a great show. With over 2,000 people in attendance and 350+ show cars, the Spring Slamboree was the first of two great shows at Piedmont Dragway in 2008. We have added several new events to the Fall Fling including a free concert by national recording artist Parmalee, an exhaust competition, reverse race, and beer run. For more information, check out the flyer below or email seth@piedmontdragway.com.
Event Schedule
Car Show Registration - 8 AM to 1 PM
Gates Open - 9 AM
Judging Begins -10 AM
Track Events (Test & Tune) - 12 PM
Beer Run – 2 PM
Burnout Contest – Immediately following Beer Run
Reverse Race – 4 PM
Awards - 5:30 PM
Concert - 6:00 PM
Pricing
General Admission - $10 (does not include car show registration)
Car Show Registration - $15 (includes Test & Tune)
Test & Tune - $10
Car Show Registration
Car show registration begins at 8 AM and ends at 1 PM. The earlier you arrive, the better parking spot you will receive. With over 350 show cars at our Spring Slamboree, get there early so you will be close to everything! Judging begins at 10 AM and runs until all cars are judged. Please leave your car show registration sheet on your dash. Once your sheet has been picked up, your car has been judged. If you cannot get there by 1 PM, please contact seth@piedmontdragway.com to potentially make other arrangements. Car show registration is an additional $15 and includes unlimited Test & Tune on the track.
Vendors
Do you want to reach a captive audience of nearly 2,000 people, many ages 18-34? Sponsors and exhibitors can interact one on one with existing and potential customers through a booth along the vendor midway. For more information about vendor booth space and event sponsorship information, please contact seth@piedmontdragway.com.
Sound Competition
G&H Car Stereo out of Wilkesboro will be hosting our annual sound competition. The first run into the sound contest is $10 and any run thereafter is $5. First and second place trophies will be awarded for each class winner. Classes will be broken down into the following seven categories:
- 0-500
- 501-1000
- 1001-2000
- 2001-up
- Wall 0-3000
- Wall 3001-up
- Outlaw
For more information about the sound competition, contact Josh at G&H Car Stereo at (336) 667-2666.
Exhaust Competition
New for the 2008 Fall Fling will be an exhaust competition, also hosted by G&H Car Stereo. The first run into the exhaust competition is $10 and any run thereafter is $5. First and second place trophies will be awarded for each class winner. Classes will be broken down into the following seven categories:
The only rule is no open headers. For more information, call Josh at G&H Car Stereo at (336) 667-2666.
FREE Concert by Parmalee
North Carolina band Parmalee will be performing live at the Fall Fling immediately following the awards at 6:00 PM. Parmalee is a band on the verge of big things with the release of their anticipated EP "Complicated". You can hear tracks by Parmalee by clicking on the player below or by checking our their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/parmalee.
Beer Run
The Beer Run will be open to 24 entries. Each entrant will have to put a beer on the roof of their car and drive down the track. The car who passes though the finish line with the fastest MPH is the winner. If the beer falls off of your car, you are disqualified. If the winner is over 21, they will receive a case of beer, trophy, and 4 free tickets to Piedmont Dragway. If the winner is under 21, they will receive a case of soda or non-alcoholic beer, trophy, and 4 free tickets to Piedmont Dragway. The Beer Run will begin at 2 PM and is open to the first 24 people who sign up once registration is announced on event day.
Bikini Contest
Everyone’s favorite contest is back for the Fall Fling. For this year’s competitors, we have some great prizes to giveaway to the top contestants. Super Fitness and Super Tans of Burlington have donated some great prizes for the top girls. More details coming soon…
Reverse Race
The rules are pretty simple. Have the fastest time down the track while driving in reverse. Prize is yet to be determined. The Reverse Race will begin at 4 PM.
Burnout Contest
The best burnout wins as voted by the crowd. Prize is yet to be determined. The Burnout Contest will be held immediately following the Beer Run.
GrudgeFest - September 20th & November 15th
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