Photo: Tabitha Sizemore

Lately David Pearson has been the man on a 275-wide radial, but on Friday night at Holly Springs Dragstrip, Marty Stinnett pushed his way not only past Pearson, but right into the 4-teens with a 4.1899 at 188.84 MPH. Four-Teens – on a 275 radial! Just last fall – six months ago –  it was a huge deal when Keith Berry ran that number on the big 315 radial, also at Holly Springs, and here’s Stinnett matching his performance on a tire that’s over two inches narrower – just an amazing feat!

Courtesy Holly Springs Dragway

Stinnett’s machine has been in the winner’s circle numerous times over the last few years, but this is a feat we can’t even begin to wrap our heads around – a car running nearly 190 MPH in the eighth-mile on the tiny 275-wide radial is just surreal. 

Stinnett’s machine relies on a 450 cubic inch small-block Ford engine built by Jeff Burns Racing Engines, a pair of Garrett turbochargers, and a chassis tuneup by none other than Wade Hopkins of Southern Speed Racing. You might remember Wade as one of the impressive minds behind the exploits of one John Kolivas. As has been the case with a number of the top runners in Outlaw 275 lately, there’s a torque converter from Performance Torque Converters on board as well.

A 1.11 short time and 2.84 to the 330 – Stinnett’s Mustang is definitely rolling, but we wonder just how quick he’d be if he could match Ron Rhodes’ 1.05 short time on the radial tire. How crazy would it be if the first radial car to the 4.0s is a 275 car?!?

We’re trying to figure out what they put in the water in Mississippi – one thing’s for sure, Holly Springs had the unicorns dancing on Friday night!