Before starting off the normal race coverage for the Memorial Day event at historic Farmington Dragway, it is necessary to discuss the individuals in our sport that came together during this day. We first want to recognize all of the veterans that make it possible for us to enjoy this wonderful sport we call. Young or old, we salute you.
Also, it becomes necessary, from time to time, to acknowledge that this sport is dangerous and sometimes bad things happen to good people. Such was the case in qualifying for veteran, Wayne Hawkins, when his newly painted Camaro suffered a nitrous explosion that led to bigger problems, ultimately putting Wayne in a ball of fire at the end of the track. Suffering severe burns, and a destroyed race car, we all need to keep Wayne and his family in our thoughts and prayers.
Renegade racer Wayne Hawkins suffered a horrific top end accident and faces a tough recovery. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with Wayne’s medical bills; visit www.gofundme.com/vdypww
Yes, there were winners and losers, but the family of racers that converged on Farmington was dramatic with 15 Pro Mod competitors taking a time. Those present were Todd Tutterow, Charles Carpenter, Stevie “Fast” Jackson, Doug Winters, Dave Leonardo, David Lambert, and Tommy Mauney, just to name a few. Mauney was honored in this year’s event t-shirt for his many years of contribution to the Pro Mod competition, both in chassis building and driving his own creations.
In the end, Wall of Fame member, Todd “ King Tutt” Tutterow prevailed over a much improved Doug Winters, in his Meritor-sponsored, Andy McCoy-built ’69 Chevelle. This resulted in the closest run of the night with Tutterow running a 3.89 to defeat Doug’s 3.98. Semifinal action saw Tommy Mauney lose a pedalfest to Tutterow, while Lambert’s beautiful Mauney-built ’67 Nova lost to Doug Winters.
North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame member Don Plemmons and his former driver, Pro Mod race winner Todd Tutterow.
Several special awards were also presented, all of which went home with the GALOT Motorsports Team. They included the Hank Thomas Burnout King award, the C&C Chemicals Low ET award, Trailers of the East Coast Low ET award, Closest Run of the Race Award, and the fan-voted WYO Racing & Rods Best Appearing Car Award.
The big winners of the day were those who competed in the Clemmons Concrete Stick Shift Nationals, with an overall purse of $10,000. This drew close to 60 of the finest wheel-standing, high-revving, gearjammers from all over the Southeast with the big win going to NC Drag Racing Hall of Fame member, Mike Boyles, over Rick Nicoula of Bolt, WV. In a second chance race, Lee Pilgrim drove his ford to a win over Ken Regenthal’s event-sponsoring “Carolina Hooker”.
A special Celebrity race took place to honor our fallen brother, Darin “MoDee” McClaugherty, with a $500 prize going to the winner’s favorite charity. This year’s winner was “Pop” Tutterow over Mike Boyles. The recipient of the prize will be the Davie County Meals on Wheels.
Story and photos by Greg Burrow
This story was originally published on June 4, 2015. 
