Results from the 2014 BTE Southern Footbrake Challenge

See more photos of the race on our Facebook page.

A grand total of 15 states were represented in last weekend’s second annual BTE Southern Footbrake Challenge, with a full two days of races at Holly Springs Motorsports. Mother Nature saw to it that Sunday was a literal wash, but Friday and Saturday more than made up for it. 

Friday started with the $2,000 gamblers race with several racers perfect on the tree, plus a lot of dead on runs. Results: Drew Porcher of Texas was the first racer to be perfect on the tree as well as the only semi-finalist to emerge that night. Mississippi’s Jeff Thompson had the best winning package (.001). Final round put Nick Kay of Alabama head to head with Thompson with Kay clinching the first win of the competition, securing him the big check plus a $100 gift certificate from NitroPlate.

Saturday really revved up things as 178 entries competed for the $10,000 payday. It all eventually led to the final four with last year’s champion, Charlie Lockhart of Kentucky in a face off against Travis Lipscomb of Louisiana and John Long Jr. of Texas battling Michael Brand (originally of Colorado, but now in Alabama) in his legal Stock Eliminator car. Lipscomb and Brand advanced to the final race with Lipscomb taking the big win. Other awards of the day included the NitroPlate Bounty award going to Nick Kay for defeating Lockhart in his first entry, Jonathan Boothe for Best Appearing, Greg “Porky” Russell for Sportmanship, Billy Parker for Ugliest Headers, Carly Casey for Hard Luck and Drew Porcher took the perfect reaction award for the second day in a row.

But wait, there’s more: After the big races, another $2,000 gamblers race was still held with over 100 entries in the no buy back shootout. Porcher eventually took the win over Scott Taylor. Semi-finalists were Alabama’s Thomas Holley (in his wheel-standing Camaro) and Matt Obertanec, who made the long trek from Pennsylvania for the event.

Due to weather, Sunday’s events were cancelled, but Coalburg Racing Promotions made sure to refund every racer on the property (and guarantees full refunds in such circumstances). 

From Coalburg Racing Promotions: “To each and every racer that attended, THANK YOU! Regardless of how the event ended, it was a complete success and it’s all because of you. We can’t thank you enough for the tremendous showing of support. You all offered such nice words throughout the weekend and we’re humbled by your appreciation and encouragement.”