Ezell wins $50K at 4th of July Under the Lights Shootout

Johnny “Bracket Racer” Ezell followed up his historic runner up last week with a huge $50,000 win at the 4th of July Under the Lights 64-car shootout last night.

ENNIS, TX – The gates opened up at the Texas Motorplex for the 4th of July Under The Lights Thursday at 10 AM. Racers from around the country began to arrive as they were looking to celebrate the Fourth of July by winning $50,000 in the Elite 64 Car Box Shootout and $5,000 in the No Box Shootout.

After a runner-up finish in one of the largest bracket races ever, Johnny “Bracket Racer” Ezell continued to send racers to the trailer on Thursday night. With two entries still left Ezell had to face this year’s Spring Fling Million Dollar winner Peeps Pennington in the quarter final round.

Peeps kicked it .003 red giving the round win to Ezell who are already had the bye to the next round on his second entry. This left Ezell with two entries in the semi-final round as Frank Kohutek secured the bye to final round defeating Josh Burrow as he left him sliver of room to fit inside a .001 package.

Kohutek had been no easy customer during the $50,000 shootout as he laid down multiple good runs on his road to the final round. In the final round Kohutek was .008 and Ezell was .010 up front but Kohutek broke out in his dragster by .007 giving the win to Ezell who was .012 above the dial.

This marks yet another big race win in Ezell’s young career and his second final in less than a week.

Click here to read about Johnny’s $10K win at the Texas Triple Tens.

In the no box class Justin Cervantes continued his winning streak at the Texas Motorplex in his uncle’s Chevelle. After winning the Lucas Oil Exclusive 32 class he advanced to the final defeating several electronics racers while still leaving off the bottom. This continued Thursday night as he took the win the $5,000 final round over Terry Allen.

The 4th of July Under The Lights shootouts are now in the books and racers will get the chance to race for two $15,000 races off the top and two $7,500 races off the bottom on Friday and Saturday.

The gates open at noon Friday and time trials begin at 5 PM. Race promoter Cody Pollage is also providing a second racer’s appreciation dinner today with Pastalaya made J’s Joint out of Plaquemine, LA.

About the Author: Paige Hamlin is the founder of South Central Drag Racing and Big Check Bracket Racing. Through her sites, Paige works to promote big money drag racing events. In addition to her media endeavors, Paige enjoys footbrake racing in her S-10 pickup.

You can connect with Paige on Facebook at @southcentraldragracing or email at paige@dragchamp.com