Swanfest Money In The Bank: Stanton, Perry And Buginga Score Wins

One year ago, Justin Swanstrom held the inaugural Swanfest at the legendary Rockingham Dragway. It was an event packed with grudge racing and classes for small-tire and no-time racers to see who was the baddest of the baddest.

The success of the event pushed Swanstrom to add two races at Rockingham Dragway for 2026: a springtime race held in May, Swanfest — King of the Track, and a fall race held in October, Swanfest — Money in the Bank.

After the IHRA canceled its remaining 2026 schedule earlier in the year, Swanstrom made the decision to add Extreme Pro Mod and Pro Mod to the list of classes for Money in the Bank to give those racers another place to race. Swanstrom would later add a No-Time 28’s class to the list as well.

In the days leading up to Money in the Bank, the weather forecast was less than favorable for the event, but Swanstrom pushed on and announced that the race was a go and that he was going to do everything he could to get the event in.

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As testing began Thursday evening, it was obvious that the weather had kept some racers from showing up, but the ones who did put on a show.

After a drivers’ meeting on Friday, the decision was made to make an unfortunate schedule change due to the unlikely chance of completing the race on Saturday. The tough call was made to cut the classes that were scheduled to run only on Saturday from the event.

The event was condensed to two rounds of qualifying for No-Time 28’s, Pro Mod, and Extreme Pro Mod, with eliminations running to completion Friday night. There were grudge races and open testing between each round.

Swanstrom made the following statement after the drivers’ meeting:

“We truly appreciate everyone who came out and supported the event. While we’re disappointed that Mother Nature won’t allow us to complete the full three days, we’re extremely grateful for the racing we’ve been able to get in.”

N/T 28’s

Big horsepower and small tires — this class put on a show.

The final round would feature Manny Buginga and Mike Chandler. Buginga took the win in the first round against Greg Chandler, but would he be able to take out Chandler’s son in the final?

As Buginga and Chandler left the starting line, Buginga had the holeshot advantage and took that lead all the way to the finish line, eliminating Chandler for the win.

Pro Mod

The “Carolina Kid” Travis Harvey took the No. 1 qualifying spot with his 3.575-second, 210.28 mph run. Mike Decker III and Carson Perry rounded out the top three.

The final pair would be teammates Travis Harvey and Carson Perry. Both cars had been consistent all day, and the final was slated to be a close race.

Once the pair went by the Christmas tree, they were side-by-side, but Harvey ran into problems downtrack while Perry made another quick A-to-B run for the win. Perry ran 3.591 at 208.33 mph to Harvey’s slowing 3.837 at 153.64 mph.

Extreme Pro Mod

Class veteran Bubba Stanton came to Swanfest and put his Camaro on top of the qualifying sheet with a 3.510 at 216.35 mph qualifying run.

Stanton would let the class know that he was there to win after laying down a 3.500 at 217.08 mph run in the opening round. Stanton was also .007 on the tree.

Stanton would be the only car in the class to break the 3.50-second barrier, with his 3.491 elapsed time in the semifinals.

At the end of the night, it was Stanton facing David Brinkley in his “Patriot”-themed Corvette. As the two quickest cars raced to the finish line, Brinkley would be out of the throttle just past the 60-foot mark, while Stanton laid down a 3.505 at 217.18 mph and was able to park it in the winner’s circle.