"Mike McCoy Manipulates SWSC Pack at Amarillo"
A newcomer, Mike McCoy, of Pueblo, Colo., has won the
first race of the season with the Southwest Superchargers.
The New Amarillo Dragway, Amarillo, Tx., was the host to the
Southwest Superchargers April 30, the first time the SWSC has been
to this venue and their first race of the season. Friday had been
cold and windy, but Saturday was almost perfect, light winds and
temps in the mid 60's-- great racing weather. And the new owners,
Norm and Cat Henson, have been pouring on the up-grades to their
history-rich facility.
Ten cars showed to race after a well- attended show at Lone
Star Machine of Amarillo. Owner David Baker had lots of toys to
see, including a 1963 126-in. fueler, first fired with a little
help from some of the members of the SWSC. Maybe it'll run OK
anyway!. Thanks to Dave and crew at Lone Star.
Out at The New Amarillo Dragway, time trials for the SWSC
started just before 6:00 p.m.
 Denny Vancil, Albuquerque, and Gary
Hill, Truth or Consequences, N.M., started the show. The first
SWSC pass of 2005 is a fine 7.84 on the index of 7.70 for Hill's
Mopar powered dragster. Vancil's altered strikes the skins about
100' out and struggles to a 9.84. Next out are two Alamogordo,
N.M. big block dragsters, Sue Stringer and Buck Woolen. Buck has
tranny problems and is unable to reverse after the burnout. For
Sue Stringer a fair amount of tire spin yields an 8.08 e.t. The
SWSC 2004 points champion Julian Moody moves up to run with 2004
points runner-up Ray Stringer. Moody's mega-motored mount mauls
the tires, 8.51. Ray's brand new Jerry Norman/ SWSC built 240-in.
dragster eats up a trans, you could almost pick it 
up with a dust pan! Destroyed! (see photo album),
But almost NO fluid on the track.
Eddie Tidwell, Andrews, Tx., is up next with the newcomer, Mike
McCoy, Pueblo, Co., trying to celebrate his birthday at his SWSC
debut. Tidwell's slingshot squeaks out an 8.38. McCoy's B-1
powered altered tears off a #1-qualifying 7.69--at 180! Who is
this guy and who invited him? Alex Clements/ John Harper's altered
had cylinder head problems, no passes today. So Bill Norman,
driving brother Jerry Norman's Fiat bodied funster gets a bye and
shows a nice 7.80.
Just after 7:00 p.m. the SWSC members return to the staging
lanes for Q-2. Denny Vancil's 23-T has a dead battery, so Gary
Hill does a single. And a fine 7.66 is on the score boards. Eddie
Tidwell runs with McCoy's altered. Tidwell's slingshot improves to
a 7.90, McCoy runs well under the SWSC 7.70 standard, 7.48. Norman
Bros "Flashback" has fuel system woes,
 can't
stage. Julian Moody's single run is another sub-index 7.54. Buck
Woolen has replaced his wounded trans in an hour and runs a sharp
7.79. Sue Stringer is in the other lane and goes a career-quickest
7.61, great job.
Now that qualifying is done, pairing looks like this: "BB"
McCoy (Birthday Boy) #1 runs #8 Denny Vancil. #2 Gary Hill meets
#7 Eddie Tidwell. #3 Sue Stringer goes against #6 Julian Moody.
And #4 Buck Woolen will run #5 Bill Norman.
The Southwest Superchargers run an 8-car field, 7.70 index,
break out rules enforced, blowers required, no electronics allowed
(except trans brakes, recall tachs, and driver initiated
shifters). Sub-index qualifying runs are included without penalty.
Round #1 starts as #3 Sue Stringer and #6 Julian Moody come
through the water box. Sue spins and cards a 7.93, but Moody takes
the win light, 7.82. #4 Buck Woolen vs. #5 Bill Norman come up
next. Bill takes the r.t., but only runs 9.26 to Buck's 8.10
winning run. #2 Gary Hill brings #7 Eddie Tidwell to the line
next. Tidwell's slingshot runs a nice 7.87, but Hill's Mopar 
goes 7.77 for the win light. Finally. #1 McCoy greets #8 Vancil.
Both altereds sport 500+ inch motors, both are sub-index capable.
But Vancil's ride can only muster a 9.11, as "BB" McCoy puts up a
7.83.
The SWSC semi-final begins with only three competitors. Buck
Woolens big-block suffered enough damage to miss the call, and
time constraints precluded notifying quick loser from Rd1 Eddie
Tidwell for a fill-in. So...
Big inch motors are all that are left. Gary Hill, Mopar
wedge, vs Chevy-style K-B owner Julian Moody. The closest race of
the night ensues, 7.72 to 7.83, Moody's K-B advances to the final.
Mike "BB" McCoy moves ahead on a bye, 8.07.
Very chilly air greets the finalists around 10:00 p.m.
Traction has been a factor in several races throughout the event,
and these two certainly have their concerns. Moody gets the better
r.t. by .108, but slows slightly resulting in a late- in- the- day
birthday present for Mike McCoy 
in his first appearance with the SWSC, claiming the maximum number
of points, 7.92 to7.74! Forever to be
known as "Birthday Boy" McCoy, a memorable win for the Pueblo,
Colo., resident. A big SWSC "Welcome" and sincerest
Congratulations!
Thanks to Norm and Cat Henson, owners of The New Amarillo
Dragway... and Lone Star Machine owner/operator David Baker.
Stay tuned to this page for the latest info from the
Southwest Superchargers. Next Up, June 11, Lubbock Dragway!
See Ya There!
Floyd Stringer
SWSC
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