Gulitti, Howard, & Sandlin win Hot August Nights Race

Cory Gulitti, Jake Howard, and Chad Sandlin win big at the Hot August Nights Bracket Race hosted by Pine Valley Raceway.

LUFKIN, TX – Cole and Slate Cummings hosted the Hot August Nights bracket race at Pine Valley Raceway last weekend. The event attracted around 200 of the best bracket racers in the region for two nights of big money bracket racing.

Friday Race Results

With a host of talented racers on hand, some of the biggest names in the sport found their way to the pay window. Cory Gulitti, runner up at the 2018 Million Dollar Race, drove two entries to the semifinals on Friday before taking the $5K Super Pro win over Donny Burleson.

In addition to Cory, Donny was double entered at the semi’s as well. The decision was made to skip the semifinal round and roll straight into the final where Cory came out victorious.

In the No Box class, two of the best Footbrake racers in the country paired off in the final round. Jake Howard, who’s dominated big money Footbrake racing in Texas this season, defeated Charlie Lockhart in the final round.

Lockhart, much like Gulitti and Burleson, was still doubled at three cars where he ran himself. The winners and their crews enjoyed Fireball shots in the winners circle as part of the celebration.

Saturday Shootout Results

Saturday’s racing action started off with three 16-car shootout fields with each winner receiving an entry into the Great American Guaranteed $1,000,000 race.

In the first Top Bulb Shootout, Landon Martinez became the first official entrant into the Great American Guaranteed $1,000,000 when he defeated Bart Nelson in the final round. The win was Landon’s first win ever.

The Footbraking Fool Jay Robinson claimed the No Box Shootout win over Noe Martinez to claim his entry into the Great American Guaranteed $1,000,000.

In the second Top Bulb Shootout, Chase Murray grabbed the last available entry into the Guaranteed $1,000,000 when he defeated Chris Gulitti in the final.

Saturday Race Results

Racing action continued on Saturday night with racers looking to collect the $5K check in Super Pro and the $4K check in No Box. In addition, winners on Saturday night received IHRA Ironman trophies and an ice cold bottle of Fireball!

Dane Ward, driving his Brodix sponsored dragster, claimed the Super Pro win after Dalton Lummus turned it red by -.0004 in the final.

The No Box final was once again a battle of super talented drivers. Chad Sandlin, a multi-time winner at the 2019 Texas Triple Tens, claimed the win over Cameron Fulfer. Fulfer was also double entered at four cars were he ran himself.

Jr. Dragster racers hit the track on Saturday with Wyatt Young taking the big win over Hannah Anderson.

Hot August Nights Sponsors

• EasTexas Racecars
• Phil’s Trailer Sales
• Sherman Racing Engines
• SalterRacing.com
• GT Performance Plus
• DragChamp.com

Although the weather was clear and sunny, it was hot at the Hot August Nights. The track staff at Pine Valley Raceway worked throughout the weekend to keep the track in great shape while the Cummings family kept the action moving on the track.

Team DragChamp attended the event and I’ll have to say it was the best race we’ve attended all season. The competition was tough, the track was good, and the atmosphere was awesome! If you have a chance to race at a Cummings family event, make sure you don’t miss it!