The inaugural SEMA Pinewood Drag Races opened with practice and tuning runs during the afternoon hours of the SEMA Installation Banquet & Gala Fundraiser. With Internet Symposium seminars taking place in surrounding rooms, Pinewood racers spent several hours tuning and tweaking in search of tenths of seconds.
As the last seminar wrapped up at 4:30 p.m., the Pinewood Drag Races were already heating up, as competitors from the Modified class started their runs, following heats in the Team Owner and Stock classes. Amid much trash talk among competitors, final rounds began at 5:45 and crowned the top three in each class. They included:
TEAM OWNERS
|
Todd Yeoman, American Technology Components |
3.89 |
|
Luanne Brown, eTool Developers |
3.90 |
|
Jason Apap, Mercedes-Benz USA |
3.92 |
STOCK
|
Matt Agosta, Steele Rubber Products |
3.84 |
|
Franco Ganino, Specialty Equipment Insurance Alliance (SEIA) |
3.87 |
|
The Kersting Girls |
3.92 |
MODIFIED
|
Mitch Williams, Pilot Automotive |
3.71 |
|
Russ Deane, Trainum, Snowden & Deane |
3.75 |
|
Russ Deane, Trainum, Snowden & Deane |
3.79 |
UNLIMITED
|
Jim Cozzie, Zoom Performance Products |
3.61 |
|
Joey Granatelli, Granatelli Motorsports |
3.67 |
|
Margaret Restuccia and Co. (SEMA), Daddy's Girlz |
3.79 |
Coordinated by the SEMA Cares Committee, the Pinewood Drag Races were also made possible by the generosity of Street Scene Equipment (participant dash plaques), Steele Rubber Products (awards) and Red Line Synthetic Oil, Ringers Gloves and NHRA (apparel for the “pit kids” helping with tech and tuning).
Mike Spagnola Jr. was on-hand helping competitors make their cars run a little quicker with some wheel work, adjusting weight and adding graphite to the wheels. Soon competitors were paying him $5 and $10 for his help and within a couple of hours he'd raised $175 for charity. Nice work, Mikey!
Dennis Overholser giving a final pre-flight check before sending another run group.
Matt Agosta accepts his plaque for first-place in the Stock Class from race director Mike Spagnola (right) and MotorMedia's Joe Sebergandio.
SEMA Immediate Past Chairman Mitch Williams takes his plaque for first place in the Modified class. Williams also won the "Most Creative" award for the "best interpretation of the rules without getting caught."
SEMA Chairman Jim Cozzie (middle) further cements his leadership position by schooling everyone in the Unlimited class.
SEMA's Market Research staff won the fan's favorite vote with the People's Choice award for their car (below).
Unofficial award for Best Cheat goes to David Toyota of Sideless Seat Cover for his innovative use of obstruction.