Patton Brothers Sweep 11th Annual Southern Big Buck Nationals

Hunter Patton and Derrick Patton lead winners at the Flicker Promotions 11th Annual Southern Big Buck Nationals at No Problem Raceway.

Photos by Bryan Epps

BELLE ROSE, LA — Flicker Promotions held their 11th Annual Southern Big Buck Nationals on February 8-11, 2024 at No Problem Raceway. Due to impending weather conditions, the promoters decided to revise the schedule to ensure the successful conclusion of the event. The lineup included a $25K Main Event, a $20K Main Event, a $1K Junior Dragster Main Event, and various Top Bulb and No Box shootouts. Additionally, No Box racers had the opportunity to participate in the main events each day, competing for a No Box Bonus before joining the main event. Off-track activities included a $1K Airdraulics Practice Tree Race and the Angelle Fabrication, LLC Gumbo & Boat Load of Beer racer party.

See full results below!

Thursday $1K Practice Tree Race

To kick off the event, there was a Thursday $1,000-to-win Airdraulics Practice Tree Race and Ty Casey claimed the win.

Friday Results

Environmental Recovery No Box Bonus

In the first on-track final of the weekend, Wyatt Ezell captured the win over Kenneth “Bucky” Perkins in the Friday Environmental Oil Recovery No Box category. Perkins had trouble on the starting line resulting in him rocking out of the beams, giving the automatic win to Ezell.

Moser Engineering $20K Main Event

Semi-finals

In the semi-finals, Hunter Patton defeated No Box Bonus winner, Wyatt Ezell. Patton was .010 and shut it down early to coast through the finish line as Ezell had some car issues.

The second semi-final pairing was Dylan Rolinson in the dragster and Wes Neely in the door car. Neely red-lighted first, giving the win over to Robinson who was -.006 red behind him.

Final round

Dylan Rolinson turns it an unfortunate -.006 red at the starting line to give Hunter Patton the Friday Moser Engineering $20K Main Event win. Patton was .007 and ran a 4.496 on a 4.50 dial-in.

Patton said “this has always been my favorite race. Cory (Gulliti) and I have fortunately done well at this race and we enjoy coming.”

“The plan is to keep the momentum going and hopefully double-up and win tomorrow’s $25,000 event.”

Top Fights Shootout

In the $5,000-to-win Top Fights Shootout, Donny Burleson claimed the final round win over Derrick Patton. In the final, Burleson was .007 dead one to be eight total over Patton’s .004 and 6.717 on a 6.72.

Josh Decker and Travis Barnett were the semi-finalists.

No-Box Fights Shootout

Mitchell Seymore captured the No-Box Flights Shootout win over Danny Paul. In the final, Seymore was .018 and ran dead 2 on his 6.56 dial-in. Paul was .037 and ran 1 above his 5.98 dial-in to earn the runner-up.

Saturday Results

Environmental Recovery No Box Bonus

Charlie Lockhart claimed the Saturday No Box Bonus win over Benny Gosset. Gosset was late on the tree giving the advantage over to Lockhart who turned the win light on. Lockhart collected his bonus and moved into the $25K Main Event.

Moser Engineering/Rick’s Powder Coating $25K Main Event

Semi-finals

The first semi-final pairing was Derrick Patton driving the door car and Brittany LeJeune in the dragster. Patton was .015 and ran dead on four to claim the win over LeJeune’s .010 and dead on nine.

Charlie Lockhart and Glenn Dilday were the other semi-finalist pair. Both drivers in the door car which means it will be a door car final round. Dilday was .018 to be one above to capture the win over Lockhart’s .032 and dead nine.

Final Round

In the final round, MVP racer, Derrick Patton defeated Glenn Dilday to take home the $25,000 payday. Patton was .011 and ran dead-on seven to edge out Dilday’s .030 and 5.338 on his 5.32 dial-in.

Derrick Patton said “this is an emotional win as this was the car my father drove to high school. This car has been in the family forever and we have all raced it. I wish they were here to celebrate this win with Hunter and I.”

Jr. Dragster Main Event

In the $1,000-to-win Burleson Construction Inc. Jr. Dragster Main Event, Kendall Stephenson defeated Douglas Hughes in the final round. Stephenson was .021 and ran a 8.863 on a 8.87 dial-in to earn the win over Hughes who was .058 and ran a 8.035 on a 8.06.

Jace Stumpman Esneault was the lone semi-finalist.

FuelTech 32-Car Top Bulb Shootout

In the FuelTech USA Top Bulb 32-Car Shootout Saturday night, Cory Gulitti defeated Hunter Patton in the final round. Gulitti was .004 and ran a 4.354 on a 4.33 to edge out Patton’s .018 4.524 on a 4.51.

Austin Free and Bruce White were the semi-finalists.

FuelTech No Box 16-Car Shootout

Slate Cummings picked up the FuelTech No Box Shootout win after defeating David Courteaux on his motorcycle in the final round. The motorcycle had the starting line advantage and Cummings took the win. The margin of victory was .001.

Jay Landry was the lone semi-finalist.

Burleson Construction Jr. Dragster Shootout

Hutch Harger earned the Burleson Construction Jr. Dragster Shootout win over Jase “Stumpman” Esneault.

Mia Meadows was the lone semi-finalist.

Congratulations to all winners and finalists from the 11th Annual Southern Big Buck Nationals. The next stop for Flicker Promotions will be May 23-26, 2024 for the 2nd Annual Spring Stampede powered by The Hose Connection at the Texas Motorplex.

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