Pluta and Shaffer Win $21K at Gallstar Midwest Bracketfest

Pluta, Takacs, Shaffer, Mickle, and Hess cashed in at the Gallstar Bracket Races Fuel Factory Midwest Bracketfest presented by Erson Cams at Cedar Falls Motorsports Park.

Photos and Write-up provided by Gallstar Bracket Races

CEDAR FALLS, IA – Gallstar Bracket Races returned to Iowa’s hottest track, Cedar Falls Motorsports Park, with the Fuel Factory Midwest Bracketfest presented by Erson Cams, June 20–22, 2025. This three-day bracket racing event featured a new format for 2025, including a $10,000-to-win Weekend Warm-Up race, twin $16,000-to-win main events, No Box bonuses, Jr. Dragster Shootouts, and the Saturday night Battle of the Ages!

Unfortunately, weather issues persisted throughout the weekend, leading to the cancellation of Friday’s $10K event. The payouts were rolled into Saturday and Sunday’s races, with drivers ultimately competing for a crisp $21,000 on both days.

See full results below!

Saturday Main Event

Friday at the Fuel Factory MIDWEST BRACKETFEST presented by ERSON CAMS saw some very unfavorable conditions thanks to Mother Nature… resulting in a total loss of the day. After a full day of clean-up around the facility, Saturday allowed for racers to compete for $21,000-to-win!

Dan Pluta took his dragster all the way to the final round where he met Johnny DiPiazza in a borrowed ride. Johnny grabbed a starting line advantage over Dan, but Dan’s dead-on-one pass was able to push Johnny to a breakout. Dan was .020 dead-one to send him to the $21K winner circle!

Johnny DiPiazza broke his car during the time hit session, and was able to hop into Mike Hobson’s Camaro for round one. After a full day of great driving in a car he’s never sat in, Johnny was .005 and 6-thou under in the final round.

Christopher Takacs used two perfect .000 reactions in a row to capture the Lehmicke Construction No-Box Bonus over Shane Boney in the No-Box final round.

Jr. Dragsters

In Jr Dragsters, Ty Ratcliff turned on the final win light over McKenzie Scribner. Ty was .031 and one-above-zero to lock out McKenzie.

Sunday Main Event

After a hot day under the sun at the Fuel Factory MIDWEST BRACKETFEST presented by ERSON CAMS, Jim Shaffer staged up against Brad Mickle in a $21,000 final round.

Jim battled his way through the dragster side of the field, while Brad dominated the no-box field, eventually defeating “Big Block” Shawn Anderson in the no-box final, picking up the Lehmicke Construction No-Box Bonus money along the way.

In the final round, Brad kicked it -.013 red to hand the win to Jim, who was going to be tough to beat anyway. Jim Shaffer was .011 at the hit, dead-on two at the stripe for a .013 package in the $21K final round.

Jr. Dragsters

In Jr Dragsters, Slade Hess picked up the win over McKenzie Scribner, who made her second final round appearance in two days.

Congratulations to all winners and finalists from the Gallstar Bracket Races Fuel Factory Midwest Bracketfest presented by Erson Cams at Cedar Falls Motorsports Park.

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