Drivers duel during Double Nickel High Roller $5K’s at Coles County
Nine races were completed in three days during the Double Nickel High Roller $5K’s at Coles County Dragway.
CHARLESTON, IL – Coles County Dragway welcomed racers for their Double Nickel High Roller $5K’s over the weekend. The racing action warmed up Friday with a $1,000 to win gamblers race before diving into the main events.
Saturday began with a 16-car Blind Squirrel Shootout where drivers would compete with no time runs or time slips for the duration of the race. Saturday and Sunday would each have a high roller $5K to win race and mini roller that paid $800 to win. Sunday also featured the JT Muffler Quick 16 Shootout where the eight quickest dragster and door cars would face off for $2K to win.
Friday Bonus $1K Gamblers Race
Friday’s gamblers race was sponsored by Billingsley Service Centers, Snearly Racing Trans, Redline Motorsports, & Burkhart Chassis.
In the Box category, Phil Bryant is .030 total to leave Walt Edwards’ .033 light mathematically ineligible.
On the No Box side, Austin Romine has a large starting line advantage and takes the win over Levi French who breaks out 2 thousandths.
When the race was combined, it was an all Chevy final round with Austin Romine staging his 79 Monza beside Phil Bryant in the 76 Vega. Both drivers run under their dials but Bryant breaks out 7 thou while Romine is only 5 thou under to take the $1,000 win.
Second Chance Gamblers Race
“Dyno” Donnie Davis wheels his 76 Firebird into the winner’s circle over Amber Voges Billingsley in her 99 Camaro.
Saturday Blind Squirrel Shootout
16 drivers competed in the Blind Squirrel Shootout where they had no time slips or time run and were ran “rapid fire” style…without even getting out of the cars!
Anthony Cannon in his 79 Malibu Wagon faced off with Kevin Dively in his 87 Camaro for the final round. Dively had the reaction time advantage but ran too far off his dial while Cannon was two above to take the $500 win.
Brain Lauterbach and Bill Bosler were the semifinalists.
Saturday Double Nickel High Roller $5K
Austin Romine and Kevin Dively returned to the finals to face each other during Saturday’s Double Nickel $5K. It was all over at the starting line when Dively went red and Romine coasts across the finish line and into the winner’s circle.
Eric Bowling and Brad Olmsted were the semifinalists.
Saturday Mini Roller
Father and son, Phil and Dustin Bryant, had a tight race during the Mini Roller final round on Saturday. Phil had a 2 thou starting line advantage and runs dead on with a six, but Dustin ran dead on with a two and takes the win.
Blake Hooper was the lone semifinal.
Second Chance High Roller
16 entries paid a $100 entry fee to get another shot during the Second Chance High Roller.
At the end of the night, Jason McConnell stages his 69 Nova beside Austin Romine in his 79 Monza. Both drivers run one above their dial ins with only 2 thou separating the reaction times as McConnell takes the win by a .007 margin of victory.
Kassie Wilson and Michael Gramlich were the semifinalists.
Sunday Double Nickel High Roller $5K
Two Illinois natives, Rusty Hill and Phil Bryant, met in the Double Nickel $5K final on Sunday. Hill puts together a .007 total package to wheel his 70 Roadrunner into the winner’s circle while Bryant is left mathematically ineligible.
Phil Bryant’s second entry was a semifinalist along with Austin Romine.
Sunday JT Muffler Quick 16
Phil Bryant returns to the final round to take on Jake Smith during the JT Muffler Quick 16 on Sunday. Smith runs way under his dial in while Bryant runs five above to earn the $2,000 win.
Corey Wood and Brian Svoboda were the semifinalists.
Sunday Mini Roller
The last payday of the weekend came down to Bill Bosler and Rusty Hill during Sunday’s Mini Roller final round. Bosler lays down 9 total to earn the win and leave Hill’s .015 reaction time mathematically ineligible.
Ron Hill was the lone semifinalist.
You can keep up with the latest event at Coles County Dragway by taking a look at their website or by following their Facebook page. Warren Evans from Dragracer.tv filmed the Double Nickel $5K and is planning on releasing the footage soon.
Find the latest in bracket racing news and results from DragChamp by clicking here.
Jessica was born into a family of drag racers and fell in love with the sport at a young age. She began competing at 13 and has been hooked ever since! She even met her husband at the World Footbrake Challenge VII. Jessica works full time as an Ultrasound Technologist but spends almost every weekend chasing win lights at IHRA and NHRA bracket races.
You can contact her at Jessica@dragchamp.com or on her Facebook page.
Click