LOCKHAART WHEELIES INTO FRIDAT $20K WIN DURING BTE LABOR DAY FOOTBRAKE CHALLENGE

BRISTOL, TN – Friday morning, the BTE Labor Day Footbrake Challenge launched with the last guaranteed time trial as racers gathered data to use for the remainder of the weekend. Opening ceremonies began with a sincere moment for Coalburg Racing Promotions’ two-time $50,000 winner and drag racing legend Scotty Richardson, who recently passed away. Co-promoter Jared Pennington recognized Richardson’s on-track accolades and contributions to the sport, but more importantly, the impact on his family and friends.

After an invocation from Steve Riggins and the playing of our national anthem, Friday’s main event eliminations rumbled onto the starting line. 362 entries made the first round call of the now $20,000-to-win race under sunny skies and blistering heat. Eventually the field narrowed to only five remaining drivers in round number eight: Ricky Greer, Michael Collier, Charlie Lockhart, Howie Adams, and Cole Mason.

Quarterfinals

Both drivers run dead on their respective dial ins, but Greer’s .008 red light eliminates him from the competition while Lockhart wheel stands into the next round. Mason uses a .006 starting line advantage to earn the .003 margin of victory over Collier, while Adams earns the bye run into the semifinal.

Semifinals

All three drivers had earned bye runs in earlier rounds, but Mason re-earned the crucial bye into the final with his previous .017 reaction time. Lockhart puts together a .025 total package to lock out Adams, who was .026 on the tree.

Final

The Kentucky versus Tennessee final featured Lockhart behind the wheel of his familiar S-10 while Mason staged up in his Oldsmobile Omega. The $20,000 payday was decided at the starting line when Mason illuminates the red light first, nullifying Lockhart’s .005 red light and sending him into the winner’s circle.

After staging up in his seventh Coalburg Racing Promotions final round, Lockhart explained that he carried one entry through the field after a tough second-round loss to earn his first main event win on the mountain. Before thanking his numerous sponsors and acknowledging the help from his wife, Shae, and Lucas Walker, Lockhart simply stated, “I’ve been wanting this one for a long time.”

Following fifth round of the main event, Friday’s Gamblers Race started mixing into the competition with 134 entries. When round number three wrapped up at curfew, only seventeen entries remained in the running for the $3,000 top prize.

Saturday is the final opportunity to claim a big check during the BTE Labor Day Footbrake Challenge, with $25,000 on the line. Church Service, led by Steve Riggins, begins at 7:45 am, followed by a new entry time trial at 8:30 am and then the first round of Saturday’s main event. The remaining balance of Friday’s Gamblers Race competitors will resume Saturday evening.

Unfortunately, MotorMania TV experienced mechanical difficulties and could not make the trip to Bristol Dragway. However, a limited live-feed experience is being streamed on the MMTV YouTube channel thanks to the support from Wired Designs, Environmental Oil Recovery, Inc., and Wood Family Racing.

For more information about Coalburg Racing Promotions events, visit www.worldfootbrakechallenge.com.

Winner’s circle photos provided by RLR Photography.