| Luke Bogacki, an eighteen-year-old college student from Arlington, Texas took home top honors and a new Cameron Dragster Monday after winning the 32-car gamblers race for the second year in a row. “We entered the dragster race again this year; and we joked all weekend about winning the event with the car we won last season, knowing the odds of duplicating the feat were unreal.” Says Bogacki. “When we won this race last season, I tried to cherish it as much as possible, because it’s not often that we can race for that type of prize, much less win it. Winning again is absolutely unbelievable.” Bogacki started the day by turning back Saturday’s $5000 winner, John Blankenship with a .510, .01 over the dial run. “That was a real break. I misjudged the finish line and let John around .003, fortunately he broke out by .001.” And that was all Luke needed. His .509 and .001 finish margin ended Frank Kohutek’s day in round two. In round three a .507 light followed by a .005 finish margin trailered Paul Ratliff. This set the stage for a semifinal showdown with Leslie Dugas. “I was real worried about Dugas, he’d been laying down awesome numbers all day.” In fact, Dugas had a .001 package in each of his first two rounds. In the semi’s however, Bogacki’s .509 and 5.482 on a 5.48 was too strong and gave him a comfortable .017 margin of victory, as well as a final round match-up with Jerry Powell. Meanwhile, Bogacki was also going rounds in the $15,000 feature event that evening, but was beaten by eventual winner Tommy Phillips with four cars remaining. “I just missed the bulb,” said Bogacki of his .523 light, “and you can’t give Tommy any room. He doesn’t have the number 2 on the scoop because he got here early-the guy is good. As much as I hate to lose, especially in the that situation, I’m really happy for Tommy and the guys at Cameron Race Cars.” So as Bogacki rolled into the waterbox for the final of the dragster race he knew it would be his last round of the evening. “Jerry (Powell) is a heck of a racer. The last time we ran in a money situation was in Arkansas last season, and he thoroughly embarrassed me.” Bogacki had another sub-par reaction time of .523 to Powell’s .518. “That sure wasn’t the light that I was looking for, and it wouldn’t normally beat Jerry. Fortunately, I had a little room and was able to make it close on the stripe for the win.” Bogacki’s 5.482 on a 5.48 dial beat Powell’s 5.830 on a 5.82 by .004. “This is going to take awhile to sink in” noted the teenager, “We’ve worked so hard this year and have struggled the majority of the season. It’s so gratifying to have it come together here. I drove well today, but I have to give the majority of the credit to the car. Nathan Martin and George Watson at Cameron Race Cars build an amazing piece of equipment. It’s definitely the best car I’ve ever driven. We made 20 runs today and the car never skipped a beat—it was deadly all day. I think that’s the ultimate compliment to the pieces between the frame rails, which include the Brodix –2 heads and intake, Goza Racing Products “Chill Factor” cooling system and accessories, Taylor Vertex plug wires and alternator, Hedman Hedders, a Comp Cams camshaft, lifters, and valve springs, an Autometer playback tach and gauges, Harwood scoop, Weld Racing Wheels, Mickey Thompson tires, TD accessories, and B&M transmission components assembled by Wendell Dunaway at Mr. Wendell’s Torque Deli! very Systems. Last but certainly not least, I’d like to thank my parents, who put up with me day in and day out and have invested so many hours of their time and labor trying to make my racing career a success. Without them none of this would be possible.” |