Dudley Dominates on Day One of the World Footbrake Challenge XVII

Devin Dudley defeats Rodney Finchum to claim $5,000 during Thursday’s Gamblers Race at the BTE World Footbrake Challenge XVII.

BRISTOL, TN- Coalburg Racing Promotions returned to Bristol Dragway on Thursday for the BTE World Footbrake Challenge XVII to welcome a flock of eager footbrake racers. In response to the record number of pre-entrants, co-promoters Jared Pennington and Steve Stites adjusted the schedule and payouts prior to the start of the event.

The Thursday Gamblers Race would now pay $5,000-to-win instead of the advertised $3,000 purse, with additional money returning to racers throughout the weekend. After packing the pits with race rigs and campers, the racing surface would soon be filled with the finest footbrakers for a test-and-tune session before eliminations.

Drivers had only one shot to get it right during Thursday’s Gamblers Race as there were no double entries nor buybacks to grant second chances. An impressive 335 entries staged up for the first round, but racers were rapidly trimmed down until only six remained. Those drivers included Tim Griffith, Shane Ayers, Rodney Finchum, Seth Lancaster, Devin Dudley, and Jock Greene.

Finchum runs two above his dial after a .008 reaction time to take the win over Griffith who breaks out five thousandths. Lancaster turns on the red light by .002 while Greene has an .024 total package on his way to the semifinal. Ayers also leaves the line too soon, while Dudley coasts across the finish line for the win.

In the semifinal, Dudley uses a starting line advantage to leave Greene mathematically ineligible while Finchum earns his spot in the money round courtesy of the bye run.

The first final round of the weekend came down to two racers who are very familiar with a winner’s circle. Both drivers run one above their respective dials, but the .018 reaction time from Dudley awards him the .008 margin of victory over Finchum to collect $5K.

The ante only increases as the weekend continues with three more races on deck. Friday will begin with the one-and-only time trial session at 8:30 am sharp, followed by a $10,000-to-win Gamblers Race. $100 per entry will get you in the staging lanes and doubles are allowed, but there will be no buybacks.

Saturday and Sunday main events each boast a $25,000 payout where both double entries and buybacks are available. Motormaniatv will live stream all elimination rounds for the remainder of the event, courtesy of JEGS Performance. For more race information, visit our website at www.worldfootbrakechallenge.com.

Winner’s circle photos courtesy of Holloway Saunders – BME Photography

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