Stouffer Scores Second B.H.R.A. Nationals Title
Texas Raceway - Kennedale, TX
Event #5 of 8

The Texas Blown Fuel Association returned to Texas Raceway to share the spotlight at the track’s biggest event of the year, the 10th Annual B.H.R.A. Nationals, on Friday August 3rd. With a line-up that included nitro nostalgia funny cars, pro mods, fuel altereds, jet dragsters and more, it was quite a show for the capacity crowd that packed the stands in Kennedale on a steamy summer night in North Texas.

Steve Matthews came into the event leading the Texas Blown Fuel Association points standings with defending event and series Champion Chris Stouffer in second place. Eight cars made the trip and braved the heat which brought track temperatures up to over 140 degrees, yet the traction was there for the high horsepower machines proven by the times posted in qualifying.

(Steve Matthews)

Qualifying Highlights:

Eddie Taylor and the “Faded Memories” team were in the house but discovered engine damage in the pits which sidelined their effort before the qualifying got started. With seven cars ready to run, Chris Stouffer led the pack after the first session with a strong 4.69 at 148 mph in the “Defiant” blown slingshot dragster. Steve Dunkin posted a 4.79 at 144 mph in the “Foolish Pleasure” entry and Steve Matthews clocked a 4.84 at 146 mph in his blown front engine dragster.

Steve Dunkin’s “Foolish Pleasure II” stepped up to a 4.88 at 144 mph alongside Frank Sharon, making his series debut in the Frances Newlin owned and tuned “Cantankerous” altered, which qualified tenth with a 5.34 at 123 mph. Dustin Johnson qualified the “Fair Warning” blown altered in the number eight spot with a 5.04 at 145 mph and Chris Graves improved to a 4.98 at 139 mph in the “Blown Inheritance” dragster to qualify number seven.

(Dustin Johnson)

(Frank Sharon)

In the final qualifying session, many teams found improved track conditions and were able to throw down some numbers. Steve Dunkin improved to a 4.77 at 139 mph to hold down the number two qualifying position. Chris Graves climbed to the number three spot with a 4.79 at 130 mph in the “Blown Inheritance” dragster. Dustin Johnson posted a 5.01 at 143 mph in the “Fair Warning” blown altered to qualify number five, with Rick Grindstaff and Frank Sharon rounding out the field. Chris Stouffer claimed the AMS Racing Engines “Top Qualifier Bonus” and led the field into eliminations.

(Chris Graves)

(Rick Grindstaff)

Final Qualifying Order:

1) Chris Stouffer (Cleburne, Texas) – 4.69 at 148 mph
2) Steve Dunkin (Aledo, Texas) – 4.77 @ 139 mph
3) Chris Graves (Carrollton, Texas) – 4.79 @ 130 mph
4) Steve Matthews (Ardmore, Oklahoma) – 4.84 @ 146 mph
5) Dustin Johnson (Davis, Oklahoma) – 5.01 @ 143 mph
6) Rick Grindstaff (Dickinson, Texas) – 5.17 @ 150 mph
7) Frank Sharon (Tolar, Texas) – 5.30 @ 130 mph
8) Eddie Taylor (Arlington, Texas) – No Time

The two top qualifiers drew each other in first round and started off the eliminations, as Stouffer lined up against Dunkin. Dunkin was off the line first and at half track the cars were side by side. As they neared the stripe, that “Defiant” horsepower pulled ahead to take the win with a 4.72 at 145 mph to Dunkin’s 4.86 at 144 mph.

Chris Graves and Rick Grindstaff lined up next and brought their blown big block Chevys into the stage beams. Graves was off the line first and never trailed, posting a 4.71 at 128 mph to advance over Grindstaff’s 5.05 at a whopping 150 mph, top speed of the meet.

Steve Matthews was out next along side Dustin Johnson in a blown dragster versus blown altered match-up. Matthews had this one from start to finish, advancing with a 4.70 at 135 mph over Johnson’s 5.10 at 142 mph. With his 4.70, Steve Matthews claimed the Fuel Injection Enterprises “Closest to the Index” bonus and advanced to the semi-finals.

Frank Sharon drew the lucky bye run and wheeled the “Cantankerous” altered to a 6.01 at 130 mph to advance to the semi-finals and also claimed the Joe Monden Race Cars bonus in doing so. Steve Dunkin earned the Good Vibrations “Quick Reaction Time” bonus with his .049 reaction time as the four winners returned to the pits to prepare for the semi-finals.

First Round Results:

(W) Chris Stouffer (.094 rt) 4.72 @ 145 mph vs. (L) Steve Dunkin (.049 rt) 4.86 @ 144 mph
(W) Chris Graves (.115 rt) 4.71 @ 128 mph vs. (L) Rick Grindstaff (.206 rt) 5.05 @ 150 mph
(W) Steve Matthews (.133 rt) 4.70 @ 135 mph vs. (L) Dustin Johnson (.185 rt) 5.10 @ 142 mph
(W) Frank Sharon (1.73 rt) 6.01 @ 130 vs. (L) Competition Bye Run

Chris Stouffer and Frank Sharon rolled through the water box to start the semi-final round. Sharon in his first semi-finals with the series while Stouffer was looking to make back to back trips to the final round at the B.H.R.A. Nationals en route to defending his event title.

(Chris Stouffer)

Stouffer was off the line first and despite falling off to a 4.88 at 116 mph, took the win over Sharon’s 5.36 at 121 mph. Stouffer earned a ticket to the finals to face the winner of the next pairing between Chris Graves and Steve Matthews.

Graves was also in his first semi-final with the series, facing the points leader Matthews. Graves earned a slight advantage off the starting line and blasted down the eighth mile to a career best 4.60 elapsed time, but broke out in doing so, handing the win to Matthews who fell off pace to a 5.08 at 144 mph. Matthews and company were headed to their fourth final of the season to face off against Stouffer and team “Defiant”.

Semi-Final Round Results:

(W) Chris Stouffer (.088 rt) 4.88 @ 116 mph vs. (L) Frank Sharon (.255 rt) 5.36 @ 121 mph
(W) Steve Matthews (.068 rt) 5.08 @ 144 mph vs. (L) Chris Graves (.047 rt) 4.60 @ 145 mph

As the clock neared midnight after an evening of non-stop drag racing action at the 10th Annual B.H.R.A. Nationals, it was time to crown a winner in the Texas Blown Fuel series. Side by side burnouts kicked off the final round as Chris Stouffer and Steve Matthews crept into the stage beams.

This one was over early, as Matthews left too soon with a -.038 reaction time and the best seat in the house to watch Chris Stouffer click off a 4.72 at 139 mph to claim the second win for team “Defiant” this season and defend their B.H.R.A. Nationals title.

Final Round Results:

(W) Chris Stouffer (.066 rt) 4.72 @ 139 mph vs. (L) Steve Matthews (-.038 rt) 5.89 @ 83 mph

("Team Defiant" - Texas Raceway Winners)

("Matthews Racing" - Texas Raceway Runner Up)

“Pretty sure even the "Hot August Nights" race in the desert of Nevada has nothing on the annual August BHRA events in Kennedale, TX. It was another scorcher this year at the little 1/8 mile track known as Texas Raceway. I saw temps of a hair over 107 in the shade of our tent before we started racing. But even suffering the heat, team Defiant was able to repeat last years good fortune. We give all our glory to the Almighty! It was great to finally have Chris Stouffer's wife, Roxanne and their kids, and my brother Paul at a race where we came out on top. We were supported by a great crew including David Stouffer, Donna and Cody Meador, Steve Hight and Jimmy Daniels,” said team “Defiant” owner and crew chief Carl Meador.

“It was real nice to see Kenneth, Scott and Brooke Rierson. Also Don Ross, Bill Crosby, Keith Hawkins and Al Mallory. We were able to gain just a little on the points leader, Steve Mathews, and remain in second place by qualifying #1 and overcoming team Mathews in the final round. I also want to say thanks to John Hale for the fuel help. Congratulations to Chris Graves and Rick Grindstaff for making good strides in their programs last night, we’re looking forward to the next race in September,” said Meador.

The Texas Blown Fuel Association would like to recognize the bonus sponsors and winners from Texas Raceway, including Chris Stouffer (AMS Racing Engines “Top Qualifier”), Steve Matthews (Fuel Injection Enterprises “Closest to the Index”), Steve Dunkin (Good Vibrations “Quick Reaction Time”), Chris Graves (Competition Sales of Dallas “Luck of the Draw”) and Frank Sharon (Joe Monden Racecars “First Elimination Alternate”).

The next stop for the T.B.F.A. series is scheduled for September 15th at North Star Dragway in Denton, Texas. With their win, team “Defiant” kept a strong hold on the number two points position and made up some ground on the leader Steve Matthews. With three races remaining this season, the chase to the title should be a good one!

Click Here to see photos from Denton by Toyse Woody

Good Vibrations Quick Reaction Time Bonus - Steve Dunkin (.049)

AMS Racing Engines Top Qualifier Bonus - Chris Stouffer

Competition Sales of Dallas "Luck of the Draw" - Chris Graves

Fuel Injection Enterprises
"Closest to the Index" Bonus - Steve Matthews

Joe Monden Racecars
First Elimination Alternate Bonus - Frank Sharon