outlaw racing draws another big crowd to 411 dragway

More than 700 racing fans packed the bleachers and crowded the fence at Seymour’s 411 Dragway Saturday night to watch the always-popular Outlaw and Heads-up races.

Drag racers from throughout the region are drawn to 411 for the Outlaw and Heads-up racing nights because of the prestige and recognition that goes along with winning an one of the races and the bigger-than-usual cash purses awarded to the victor.

In a make-up date for a rain-out from earlier this summer, there will be yet another Outlaw and Heads-up night of racing this coming weekend at 411 Dragway.

In a first time happening at last Saturday’s competition, track owner and operator Donnie Phillips lifted the usual rules for the Outlaw series that calls for all participating cars to weight 3,000 pounds or more and be equipped with mufflers.

“We had some of the boys who didn’t meet the standards for different reasons but the ones who did have cars that were up to standard decided to just let the others run too so we’d have more cars,” Phillips explained.

He said allowing the cars that did not meet Outlaw series standards of 3,000 pounds and mufflers to participate was a one time thing. From now on at Outlaw and heads-up races, all participating cars will have to meet the standard weight and be equipped with proper exhaust.

“As you can see by the winner’s time, the rules do make a difference, “Phillips commented regarding Jeff Byrd’s mind-blowing ET of 4.63.

According to Phillps, Byrd was the only Outlaw driver who finished in the top four Saturday night who actually didn’t meet the usual standards.

Knoxville’s Bo Simpson finished second in the Outlaw race with an ET of 4.99. Maryville’s John Knight was third with a 5.58 time and Knoxville’s Tony Buckner clocked in with a time of 5.80 for fourth place.

Three of the four top finishers, including Byrd, in the Outlaw race drove a Camaro. Second place finisher Simpson captained a 1969 Nova.

Maryville’s Jim Yearout, navigating his trademark 1990 Ford Probe racecar, took first place in the 5.70 Heads-up Class with an ET of 5.70 that perfectly matched the dial-in time. Claxton resident Stacy Willliams, driving a 1989 Trans-Am, was just off mark, finishing second with a 5.69 ET.

Rob Jackson of Knoxville, driving a 1983 Oldsmobile, had the third best performance. He finished with a 5.92 ET. Driving a 1979 Malibu, Jerry Williams of Knoxville finished with a 6.55 ET.

Homeboy Sevier County resident Chuck Cooper took first place nods in the 6.50 Heads-Up Class in his 1988 Ford Mustang.

Cooper turned in a 7.48 ET.