Midwest Bracket Racing – Byron Dragway 7/27-7/28

Midwest Bracket Racing Update – Master vs. Apprentice at Byron Dragway

It was an electric atmosphere this past weekend at Byron Dragway.  The track hosted another great event with a $2,500 to win main event on Saturday and a $5,000 to win main event Sunday. Both races were sponsored by FTI Performance. 

The weather was common place as of late with the Midwest being very hot and humid. The successful event was a testament to the track staff and racers dedication to the sport.

Saturday $2,500 Final

In Saturday’s main event final Grant Zimmerman, wheeling his 1979 Ford Mustang, took out the hired gun of Shane Pope, driving Bruce Van Straten’s 2013 American Dragster.  Grant drove his No Box Mustang to a dead on his dial-in 6.41 in the final to beat Shane’s 4.736 on a 4.75 breakout. 

Grant and the Mustang were in jeopardy of not even making it to the event as a major rear main seal leak was discovered Thursday.  The aforementioned Shane Pope was the one who convinced Grant to put in the work to get it to the track. 

The engine came out Friday and went back in with a new rear seal. Just after midnight on Friday the sealant had cured enough for the 23 year old electrician to make the trek to Byron and he made it pay off.  

Sunday FTI $5,000 Final

Sunday’s $5,000 FTI sponsored Super Pro Box / No Box final was a battle of the electricians.  Jay Allen, a retired Union electrician from Joliet, Illinois, stopped the apprentice Grant Zimmerman’s dream weekend in the combo final. 

The final was flat nasty as Jay was .005 and left second to Grant’s .002.  The Mustang was once again on a 6.41 dial-in but this time went 6.405 in a losing effort to Jay Allen’s 5.022. 

Jay thanked the Local IBEW 176 Union Electrical Contractors and the Contractors association for their support. Jay also thanked his wife who puts in a tremendous amount of work into the operation helping build the engines and helping with the weather adjustment calls.  The “Low buck” operation surely got a jolt of funds this weekend with the win. 

Grant won the 2018 fall $10,000 main event last year and now has made three consecutive final rounds with two wins.  He was sure to thank his parents for their support along with May Race Carbs, Siebert Performance and Race Sponsors.net.      

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About the Author: Ryan Fasano is a Division 3 bracket racer who competes weekly at Byron Dragway in Illinois. Competing in the Box class, Ryan captured the 2014 Track Championship at Byron. Like a true weekend warrior, he eats, breathes, and sleeps with bracket racing on his mind. Look for more Midwest Bracket Racing updates from Ryan on DragChamp. Click here to connect with Ryan on Facebook.