Breazeal Cashes In At Shreveport
Red River Raceway - Shreveport, LA
May 3rd, 2008
Race Report & Photos - Chris Graves
The Smiley’s Racing Products Southwest Junior Fuelers held their third event of the year at the Gambler Nationals in Shreveport, Louisiana on May 3rd. 2007 Series Champion Keith Breazeal from Houston, Texas is atop the points standings yet again after two runner-up efforts to start this season. In only it’s sophomore year as an association, the SWJFA circuit is buzzing with growth and more importantly having fun and putting on a good show. Their partnership with the Royal Purple Outlaw Fuel Altereds is continuing this year and with both circuits running on the same night these events provide some great nostalgic drag racing action. The 2008 season has brought on many new faces and teams, a trend that is expected to continue.
Circuit President and participant Mike Millsap got qualifying underway along side new comer Johnny Laird. Millsap clicked off an 8.18 at 159 mph on his first run of the season with Laird along side at 8.90 at 148 mph. Rick Grindstaff rolled out next in the beautiful “Quarterflash” machine and laid down a nice 8.16 at 162 mph. Keith Breazeal kept pace with a solid 8.16 at 167 mph and Steve Dunkin hiked the front end in the air off the line but kept control on his 8.25 at 159 mph pass. Thomas Porter, Keith Hawkins and Don Scott were off pace on their first attempt but had another shot at the track in the second session of qualifying.
(Steve Dunkin in "Foolish Pleasure")
Jimmy Todd in Buster Johnson’s machine missed first session but got in the show with a 9.29 at 148 mph and Don Scott improved in second session with an 8.92 at 146 mph to solidify his spot in the six spot. Grindstaff laid down another 8.16 pass and looked like a player heading into first round from the three spot. The air conditions were absolutely outstanding and Millsap along with Breazeal took advantage and stepped up large in second session. Millsap tripped the lights with a 7.72 at 170 mph to Breazeal’s 7.87 at 168 mph, hoisting them to the top two seeds. Thomas Porter made his SWJFA debut in a beautiful machine called “Bone Peddler” and bested a 9.84 at 119 mph, good for the nine spot. Johnny Laird stepped up in the “Rain Maker” to an 8.37 at 158 mph and Keith Hawkins rounded out the qualifiers with a 10.39. Hawkins was making his license passes in a car his brother Ken drove and won with at the previous event at North Star Dragway in Denton, Texas.
(Rick Grindstaff in "Quarterflash")
Final Qualifying Order:
1) Mike Millsap (Sasche, Texas) – 7.72
2) Keith Breazeal (Houston, Texas) – 7.87
3) Rick Grindstaff (Dickinson, Texas) – 8.164
4) Steve Dunkin (Ft. Worth, Texas) – 8.25
5) Johnny Laird (Springer, Oklahoma) 8.37
6) Don Scott (Garland, Texas) – 8.92
7) Jimmy Todd (Blue Ridge, Texas) – 9.29
8) Thomas Porter (Burleson, Texas) – 9.72
9) Keith Hawkins (Shreveport, Louisiana) – 10.39
(Keith Hawkins)
The drivers drew cards to pair up for first round, an interesting procedure practiced by the SWJFA called “luck of the draw” that provides everyone with an even chance to win each round. The first round of eliminations provided some close racing starting with the first race between Jimmy Todd and Don Scott. Todd cut a .009 reaction time and went 9.00 at 149 mph but lost to Scott’s quicker 8.92 at 146 mph (MOV: .0601). Mike Millsap got in trouble early in his first round match up with Keith Hawkins. Millsap smoked the tires hard coming off the line and Hawkins streaked away and lifted early thinking he had the race won. Millsap didn’t give up and ran him down with an 8.71 at 168 mph to Hawkins’ 9.15 at only 95 mph. Keith Breazeal came out next against Rick Grindstaff. Grindstaff fell off his qualifying pace with a 9.73 at 97 mph which had no chance against Breazeal’s 7.80 at 169 mph, low elapsed time of the round. Steve Dunkin’s 8.57 at 159 mph defeated Johnny Laird’s quicker but loosing 8.36 at 158 mph (MOV: .0061) in the closest pair of the round. Dunkin was average on the tree but Laird got caught sleeping and it cost him. Thomas Porter lucked out in the draw and advanced to the second round with a bye run at 10.18 at 141 mph.
First Round Results:
(W) Don Scott (.031 rt, 8.92 @ 146 mph) vs. (L) Jimmy Todd (.009 rt, 9.00 at 149 mph)
(W) Mike Millsap (.184 rt, 8.71 @ 168 mph) vs. (L) Keith Hawkins (.170 rt, 9.15 @ 95 mph)
(W) Keith Breazeal (.010 rt, 7.80 @ 169 mph) vs. (L) Rick Grindstaff (.064 rt, 9.73 @ 97 mph)
(W) Steve Dunkin (.150 rt, 8.57 @ 159 mph) vs. (L) Johnny Laird (.374 rt, 8.36 @ 158 mph)
(W) Thomas Porter (.295 rt, 10.18 @ 141 mph) vs. (L) Bye Run
(Johnny Laird in "Rain Maker")
The second round paired Porter vs. Scott and Millsap vs. Dunkin with Keith Breazeal drawing the lucky card which earned him a solo pass into the final round. Breazeal made another solid pass on a solo 7.82 at 168 mph. Don Scott clicked off an 8.93 at 145 mph to defeat Porter who had a nice effort in his first race on tour. Millsap found himself in another close race but came out on the loosing end of this one. Dunkin was out of the gate first with a slight advantage and hiked the front end up in the air as he had all night. The car broke traction slightly and he pedaled it while Millsap had his hands full in the other lane fighting for traction. They got hooked up and at the traps Dunkin’s 9.30 at 159 mph took out Millsap’s 9.46 at 144 mph. This advanced three cars to the semi-final posing a time issue and in a great act of sportsmanship Don Scott opted to give up his spot and let Breazeal and Dunkin advance straight to the final. Dunkin would advance to his second final of the year, still in search of his first SWJFA win. Breazeal was heavily favored and looked to take his first win of the year in his third final of as many races this season.
Second Round Results:
(W) Don Scott (.075 rt, 8.93 @ 145 mph) vs. (L) Thomas Porter (.338 rt, 10.07 @ 130 mph)
(W) Steve Dunkin (.192 rt, 9.30 @ 159 mph) vs. (L) Mike Millsap (.213 rt, 9.46 @ 144 mph)
(W) Keith Breazeal (.153 rt, 7.82 @ 168 mph) vs. BYE RUN
(Keith Breazeal Wheels Up Launch)
The SWJFA final round preceded the Outlaw Fuel Altered final and Breazeal launched hard with the wheels up and took the win with a very strong 7.81 at 168 mph to Dunkin’s 9.11 at 159 mph. This marks Breazeal’s fourth win and sixth final in the SWJFA’s short eight race history. His 2008 campaign is matching his 2007 championship effort with trips to the first three finals of the year. Millsap had the quickest car of the night but couldn’t put it together in eliminations, but proves to be a threat with four number one qualifying efforts in his six series starts. Breazeal earned his win with four straight passes in the 7.80 zone. Breazeal extended his points lead to 48 points over second place Dunkin. The Smiley’s Racing Products Southwest Junior Fuel Association will be competing at the North Star Dragway on May 17th along with the Outlaw Fuel Altereds.
(Keith Breazeal and Team)
Final Round Results:
(W) Keith Breazeal (.073 rt, 7.81 @ 168 mph) vs. (L) Steve Dunkin (.083 rt, 9.11 @ 159 mph)
Top Speed – Mike Millsap (170.11 mph)
Low Elapsed Time – Mike Millsap (7.72)
Click here to see photos from this event!
