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From out of the ashes the Outlaw 8.5 program is making a comeback at London Dragway in The Bluegrass State. The class, which had nearly gone nonexistent with dwindling car numbers over the last couple of years, underwent a rules change for the 2013 season. In an effort by the track’s owner, Craig Boone, to salvage the class and bring the car count back, he overhauled the rules from the previous year. Adopting the rules from another series, known as the Xtreme Outlaw Series, the class is now expected to fill the lanes with some close, competitive racing. The program, now Limited 8.5, is backed by the support of Steve Johnson’s Induction Solutions.
Boone is optimistic about the new direction of the class. “We adapted the XOS rules with hopes to bring more cars to the class. I felt that the XOS program was very successful and I am confident that the limited type rules has brought the class much tighter, so we’re looking for a great turnout in the Induction Solutions 8.5 Outlaws at London. There seems to be a lot of excitement about the class.”
Racers have also given positive feedback for the new rules. Jackie Smith, from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, who has been a regular of the prior Outlaw 8.5 program spoke eagerly of the new rules and his anxiousness to be back racing. “I do like the Limited 8.5 rules and the other 8.5 guys I’ve talked with feel the same way. The fastest elapsed times recorded this weekend were all pretty close, so I think this helped even the playing field.”
This race was originally on the schedule to go off on May 18th. With storm clouds looming on the horizon and a rainout almost certain for the day, eight cars still made the trek to the strip that is tucked, not-so-quietly, away amongst The Daniel Boone National Forest. With the inevitable wash-out steadily rolling in, an eight car turn-out was still impressive for the first Limited 8.5 race of the season, especially considering that for the prior year the car count was on average around three or four cars.
The Steve Johnson’s Induction Solutions Outlaw 8.5 class was rescheduled for this weekend, May 25th. Much to everyone’s relief, the skies were clear in central Kentucky and the temperamental weather took a hiatus. The day got underway with seven cars showing, traveling in from around Kentucky and Ohio. Had misfortune not struck a few and time been more available to others, the likelihood of the car count being ten plus was highly probable. “Car count should increase as time goes on. I know three more cars coming that are not ready yet,” shared Chris Wilson who was on hand with his wheel-packing Mustang for the 8.5 showing.
After three rounds of qualifying the final standings were as follows:
Final Qualifying Order:
1. C. Tino – 5.7400 @ 127.59
2. D. Vaughn – 5.7460 @ 125.66
3. M. Judd – 5.7962 @ 123.25
4. R. Mounce – 5.8355 @ 120.81
5. Z. Simmons – 5.9581 @ 120.10
6. C. Wilson – 6.1874 @ 112.39
7. F. Sparks – 6.2885 @ 108.07
Chris Wilson, who had set the crowd astir a few weeks prior during testing with two bumper-dragging passes, let it all hang out during the first round of eliminations with another crowd-awing wheelstand. Mounce and Simmons had a tight match-up, with Simmons taking the win light on the hole-shot, stopping the clocks at 5.848 at 121.72 mph versus Mounce’s 5.847 at 120.64 mph. 
Round 1 Eliminations:
D. Vaughn – 5.709 @ 125.66 rt: .489 (W) vs. F. Sparks – 6.306 @ 109.28 rt: .463 (L)
C. Wilson – 6.117 @ 111.66 rt: .825 (L) vs. M. Judd – 5.727 @ 123.52 rt: .507 (W)
R. Mounce – 5.847 @ 120.64 rt: .470 (L) vs. Z. Simmons – 5.848 @ 121.72 rt: .421 (W)
C. Tino – 5.669 @ 127.77 rt: .478 (bye run)
Chris Tino and his ‘69 Nova moved to the semi-finals on the bye run from round one. With help from his crew chief Jay (aka Cheeseburger), Gary Rohe Race Cars, S&M Motorsports, Hoosier Tire, Neal Performance, Hdnemo and his family, the BES 434 cubic inch small block Ford (yes, Ford) was proving it was going to be competitive in Limited 8.5. “We use a nitrous system built and flowed by Kevin Neal. It’s a ladder bar rear suspension car with a 25.5 chassis done by Gary Rohe at Rohe Race Cars. It was built to be competitive in Limited 8.5 but also can be a front runner in Outlaw 8.5 too,” shared Tino. Tino took the win in the semi’s over Simmons to advance to the finals.
Round 2 Eliminations/Semi-Finals:
C. Tino – 5.713 @ 127.84 rt: .430 (W) vs. Z. Simmons – 5.742 @ 122.28 rt: .460 (L)
D. Vaughn – 5.647 @ 125.87 rt: .540 (L) vs. M. Judd – 5.710 @ 123.02 rt: .442 (W)
As the first race of the season for the all new Limited 8.5 program at London Dragway came to a finish in the fading sun of the evening, Chris Tino in his gorgeous ’69 Chevy Nova SS and Michael Judd in his super clean ’90 Mustang faced off in the finals. The Mustang, set-up with the help of Mike Adams Race Cars, is equipped with a 421-inch small block Ford and an Induction Solution plate system. Judd shared, “This past weekend my car was actually working great — I had my personal best with it. I feel my car was underpowered from a few in the field, which worked to my advantage.” And as Tino spun off the line, Judd took advantage and claimed the stripe for the win.
Finals:
M. Judd – 5.704 @ 123.36 rt: .460 (W) vs. C. Tino – 5.814 @ 126.90 rt: .434 (L)
Check out some of the action from the London Dragway Limited 8.5 racing in the photos below!
