Anyone who knows anything about outspoken, smooth-talking grudge racer-turned-class racer-turned-grudge racer “Stevie Fast” Jackson knows he’s not one to ever shy away from a good ole fashioned dash for cash, and because he rarely loses in a grudge match, the more money the merrier, it seems.

So when fellow PDRA Pro Nitrous racer Travis “The Carolina Kid” Harvey came calling with $5,000 burning a hole in his pocket, Jackson was quick to oblige. The match, set to happen under the lights during the third qualifying session at the PDRA’s North-South Shootout at the Maryland International Raceway, became a highly-publicized affair. Of course, as grudge matches tend to do, the pot was sweetened a little more and once other parties got involved, the racer reportedly became worth far more than the original $5,000 bet, making it one heck of a high stakes race. And as it turned out, the matchup equaled the hype.

And the cash? Well that went back to Georgia.

Although on paper, based on recent performances, the pair were an even match void of a clearcut favorite, Jackson had a slight edge going into that third session, as he sat third in the order at 3.83, while Harvey was three markers back at 3.85. Those are hardly numbers that a stellar light couldn’t overcome, but an edge nonetheless.

But when the tree dropped, Jackson proved why even as a class racer, he’s still one of the most feared grudge competitors in the nation, nailing Harvey to the christmas tree and never looking back for a 3.78-second, 200 mph victory. Harvey, for his part, gave a valiant effort in chasing down the bright orange 1969 Camaro, but engine woes at the top end erased his hopes in a cloud of smoke, at 3.85 and a slowing 191 mph. Adding insult to injury, Harvey was bumped out of the show on that run and ultimately failed to qualify.

Video credit TheRacingVids