Muncy Kicks Off 2013 With Win In Evadale
March 30th - Ben Bruce Raceway - Evadale, TX

The Southwest Junior Fuel Association got it's seventh consecutive season started on Saturday, March 30th at Ben Bruce Memorial Raceway in Evadale, Texas. The qualifying action got underway with a nice side by side pass between Mike Millsap and Ron Muncy as Muncy's 7.65 at 172 mph led Millsap's 7.77 at 171 mph. Mike Buchanan made the long tow from Kansas and laid down a 7.72 at 171 mph along side Odie Coker who posted the quickest pass of the session with a 7.36 at 164 mph. Brian Briggs' wheeled his Louisiana based entry to a 7.70 at 172 mph and in the second qualifying round Briggs stepped up to a 7.61 to qualify in the number two spot. Mike Buchanan improved to a 7.66 to qualify fourth and Mike Millsap rounded out the field in the number five spot.

(Mike Buchanan)

Final Qualifying Order:

1) Odie Coker (Dallas, Texas) - 7.32 at 164 mph
2) Brian Briggs (Lake Charles, Louisiana) - 7.61 at 171 mph
3) Ron Muncy (Weatherford, Texas) - 7.65 at 172 mph
4) Mike Buchanan (Wichita, Kansas) - 7.66 at 171 mph
5) Mike Millsap (Sachse, Texas) - 7.77 at 171 mph

(Mike Millsap)

First Round Eliminations

Unfortunately for Millsap, fuel pump issues prevented him from making the call for first round so with four teams left it was time to start eliminations with the first pair featuring Ron Muncy and Mike Buchanan. Muncy was off the line with a strong .417 reaction time but was left on by Buchanan's better .408 light but Buchanan ran into problems early and Muncy clicked off a 7.63 at 172 mph to advance to the finals.

(Brian Briggs)

Odie Coker and Brian Briggs were out next as Coker left the line first and never looked back, posting a 7.34 at 179 mph to take the win over Briggs' 7.68 at 169 mph. This put Muncy up against Coker in the final round as the teams returned to the pits to prepare for the battle for the win at the season opener.

First Round Results

(W) Ron Muncy (.417 rt) 7.63 @ 172 mph vs. (L) Mike Buchanan (.408 rt) 13.20 at 52 mph
(W) Odie Coker (.540 rt) 7.34 @ 179 mph vs. (L) Brian Briggs (.581 rt) 7.68 at 169 mph

(Odie Coker)

Final Round Eliminations

After a lengthy oil down clean up from other racing action in Evadale, the call finally went out to fire up the final round of junior fuel. Muncy took the starting line advantage and in the other lane Coker lost traction and with a quick pedal job tried to run Muncy down with no luck. Muncy clicked off a 7.65 at 172 mph to take the first win of the season over Coker's 7.78 at 178 mph.

(Ron Muncy)

Final Round Results

(W) Ron Muncy (.465 rt) 7.65 @ 172 mph vs. (L) Odie Coker (.497 rt) 7.78 @ 178 mph

With the first event in the books, Ron Muncy will lead the points into the SWJFA's next event April 20th at the Texas Motorplex's "Old School Showdown". Mike Buchanan took home the Hayden Enterprises "Quick Reaction Time" bonus and with no holeshot win at this event, the Hilborn "Holeshot Bonus" money will be put into the year end points payout. By advancing to the final, Ron Muncy and Odie Coker were awarded a bonus from Champion Spark Plugs.