The Texas Motorplex is fast in October, and even with the warmer temperatures this past weekend, the “Stampede of Speed” did not disappoint.
The top sixteen qualified cars in Top Alcohol Dragster would be the fastest-qualified field in NHRA National Event History. Every team in the record-breaking field knew they would have to be at their best every round to walk away with the cowboy hat on Sunday.
As It Happened:
Kirk Wolf in the Kentex Roofing Backed Car was outstanding in Q1 and throughout the race. Wolf and the Dubbin Motorsports Team earned the No. 7 position in the record-breaking field, creating a first-round matchup with the tough supercharged methanol-burning car driven by Joey Severance.
The round one race was over early when Severance was unable to get his car to move as the light went green. Wolf was straight and fast with another 5.27 second ET.. to collect the win.
In round two Wolf was matched with Matt Cummings in the “McPhillips Green Car”. Cummings would leave first and get the win over Wolf, with both drivers cutting good lights and both cars running very well in the contest.
“It was a good weekend for us,” said Kirk Wolf. “We were fast every round, and competitive against the top teams. We just ran into a really fast McPhillips car in the second round, where Matt (Cummings) did a great job. We dropped a hole late in the run and this time of year you have to be running on all eight to beat those guys. But, we ran in the 20’s every time down the track this weekend. That is not easy to do at any track, and it shows you how good this car is – and how good this team is.
Car owner Dean Dubbin was also upbeat about the weekend. “Even though we lost in the second round, this was one of our best weekends of the year. Everyone did great. We had a solid car all weekend, and I think we have turned the corner on our clutch issues. We were dropping holes down track and that’s something we haven’t delt with much this year. But, the car was clean off the line every run and that’s something we can build on for Las Vegas.”
Dubbin concluded, “This time of year all these cars are fast. This team has worked very hard to make this car fast and keep it consistent. It’s fun for everyone when that hard work pays off. We’re in a good place right now, and we’ll be ready for Las Vegas.”
By The Numbers:
Q1: 5.252 @275.68 mph – Qualified #2
Q2: 5.256 @274.71 mph – Other cars improved – Now Qualified #5
Q3: 5.293 @273.97 mph – Other Cars Improved – Now Qualified #7
R1:
Kirk Wolf (win) (RT .064) 5.270 276.62 mph
Joey Severance – Broke
R2:
Matt Cummings (win) (RT .032) 5.229 280.30 mph
Kirk Wolf (RT .078) 5.289 270.79 mph
Next Up:
Kirk Wolf and the Dubbin Motorsports, Kentex Roofing Backed, A/Fuel team will have two weeks off before returning to action in Las Vegas at the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals – October 31 – November 3rd.
This story was originally published on October 16, 2024. 
