ELLISON EMERGES AS $15K CHAMPION ON FRIDAY DURING THE BTE WORLD FOOTBRAKE CHALLENGE XVI
Bristol, TN – Bristol Dragway was once again filled with eager footbrake racers as the first of three $15,000 main event races kicked off 
Friday at the BTE World Footbrake Challenge XVI. Drivers were given one time trial per entry in order to get their cars dialed in for the mountain air which was then followed by opening ceremonies.
This year, Coalburg Racing Promotions acknowledged recently departed competitors and friends, John DiBartolomeo, Greg Rushing, and Lucas McKinney. In remembrance of Lucas, twenty-two seconds of silence befell the racetrack, followed by a memorial pass down the racetrack by his father, Todd. The impact of these losses will be felt for a lifetime, but we will continue to honor their memory and love of the sport.
Once the tears were wiped away, it was officially time to get down to business. By the time first round was completed, an impressive 434 entries had made their way onto the racing surface in hopes of cashing in for $15K.
Co-promoter, Jared Pennington elaborates on the car count by saying, “Once again, we are truly humbled and thankful for each and every racer that has chosen to participate, in not only this event, but for sixteen years. Without the racers, the BTE World Footbrake Challenge would not be possible. This has exceeded our expectations for 2022 and we look forward to continuing to deliver the World’s Greatest Footbrake Race for our racers.”
Round by round, the considerable crowd would be narrowed down until only five remained: Edmond Ellison, Brandon White, Kyle Rumley, Andrew Adkins, and Corey Griffith.
Adkins had an eight thousandths reaction time advantage but runs too quick while Ellison is dead on with a four to advance. Only four thousandths separate the pair at the tree, but Griffith takes the .009 margin of victory over White. Rumley earns his spot in the semifinal courtesy of the bye run.
Ellison eases his ’68 Camaro beside the ’77 Buick Skylark of Rumley as they inch their way into the stage beams. The double breakout win goes to Ellison thus creating an all-Ohio matchup in the final round. Griffith’s previous .018 reaction time earns him the solo pass and his third BTE World Footbrake Challenge final round appearance since 2020.
All the anticipation is over at the starting line as Griffith turns on the red light by one thousandth. Edmond Ellison is .011 green to win $15,000 during the BTE World Footbrake Challenge XVI to add to his already impressive racing resume.
In typical Bristol fashion, a rain shower briefly covered the facility creating a slight schedule change. Instead of attempting to start Friday’s $3,000 Gamblers Race, last year’s popular Two Round Challenge was once again added to the program. Drivers would bet on their skills during a separate shootout and those who were able to win two rounds would earn a weekend entry into this year’s BTE Labor Day $250K.
The winning drivers were David Bell, Mitchell Seymore, Daniel Johnson, Britt Sinclair, Tim Douglas, and Jesse Betterton.
Despite completing an entire day crammed with competition, the BTE World Footbrake Challenge XVI has only just begun. The finest footbrake action will continue Saturday and Sunday as two more $15,000 champions will be crowned. Time permitting, the advertised Friday $3,000 Gamblers Race will be contested on Saturday.
Keep up with all the excitement by watching the live stream, sponsored by JEGS Performance, at www.MotorManiaTV.com. Only new entries will receive a time run at 8:30 am, followed by eliminations.
To learn more about the BTE World Footbrake Challenge XVI, visit www.worldfootbrakechallenge.com.
