"I was getting ready to lock and load it up and Joe and Mike talked me into putting a piston in it." said Jim standing in victory lane "We have extra pistons in the trailer anyway so we tore it down and went to town on it and put it back together and the rest is history."

Just like last week at Piedmont it appeared that everyone was going to be chasing Danny Perry. With a dominating performance at Big Dog Danny and the crew decided to come after a Mad Dawg trophy. When qualifying was over it was looking like it was going to be Danny’s night yet again. Danny posted a 4.051 to take the number one spot and while doing so he set a new Mad Dawg record. Pro modified drag racer Buzz Varner was the closest to Danny with his 4.110. The New Yorker Chris Rini was third with a 4.138. The "Mad Man" Chad Tilley put his Grand Am in the fourth position with a 4.151.

Jeremy Creasman in his TM built ‘67 Camaro posted a 4.161 to nab the fifth spot. Setting a new personal best time was Clay "Baby Boy" McCavley. Baby Boy posted a 4.166 that had him in the sixth spot. Coming from the seventh position was eventual winner Jim Teachman with his 4.176. Anchoring the eight car field was "Happy" Gilmer Hinshaw with a 4.222. The two alternates were Joey Thornburg and Larry Higginbottham.

When the call for the first round of eliminations went out it was Chad Tilley and Joey Thornburg. Joey replaced Jeremy Creasman after he had burnt several pistons. Chad led this one from the start. He cut a .020 light to Joey’s .140 and posted a new personal best with his 4.14 to Joey’s 4.45. Next up was pair of ‘57 Chevrolets. Jim Teachman and Warren Ohio racer Larry Higginbottham. Larry got the nod when Buzz Varner couldn’t get his clutch fixed. Jim jumped off the line with a .003 light and ran a 4.19 while the other ‘57 ran into problems at the hit of the throttle.

Chris Rini and Baby Boy were up next. Baby Boy got loose on the top end while Chris had to pedal his way to the win and he ran a 4.28 to Baby Boy’s 5.52. Gilmer Hinshaw had the unenviable task of taking on the fastest car in Mad Dawg history, Danny Perry in his Z06 Corvette. Gilmer had a slight advantage out of the gate with his .060 lights to Danny’s .080. Within the first sixty feet Danny had the difference made up and pulled away. At the stripe Danny just like the last round of qualifying ran a 4.053 just a tick off his record 4.051. Gilmer gave a valiant effort running a 4.16.

Next up for Danny and crew was Chad Tilley in his black Grand Am. Chad had already run his personal best the round before and was ready for Perry. When the tree activated Tilley rocketed off the line with a .008 light that had him ahead Danny who cut a .168. Chad then ran into problems and slowed to 4.28 while Danny who has lived in the 0's ran a 4.07. "We had a plug that fouled and it costed us. We’re still happy with the car’s performance. We’ve made about 25 to 30 passes on the car with our new Billy Albert engine. There’s still more in the car." said Tilley

On the other side of the ladder Jim Teachman was paired up with two time Mad dawg winner Chris Rini. With a .013 light to .022 light Jim was out on Rini. The race didn’t last long as Rini ran into problems while Jim posted another 4.19. Chris coasted through the lights with a 5.25.

With the final round set everyone was pondering the question, who was going to stop the Juggernaut Danny Perry. Perry e.t. from the previous rounds was a tenth quicker than anyone else including the other finalist, Jim Teachman. After the two did their burnouts they lined up and it was go time. When the tree activated it was Teachman out first while Perry’s Corvette stumbled. Just like a bracket car Teachman ran another 4.19 to take home his first Mad Dawg trophy. All the race fans, teams and even some of the officials were in a state of shock with what just happened. Everyone did a double take and still found it hard to believe.

Danny Perry who was gracious in defeat said, "We came out and a 4.051 in the last round of qualifying and that was with me letting out. The way the car was running it would have probably run a 4.03 but I had to get out of it before the finish line. It got a little loose on the top and that’s why we lost six mph. The air was changing and the round before it didn’t get up on the two step good. I adjusted the carburetors and in the final it didn’t come on the two step at all. When I finally did get it to come up, he was gone. It was too late for then. We had a good day though, got to the finals again. I want to thank Jimmy and Brad Boone for giving me this opportunity."

Danny went on to say, "I want to thank my dad Bobby for his support and my wife Tracy. Mid-Atlantic is a great asset to us and we want them to know how much we appreciate them. ATI has built us a great transmission and we want to thank them too. Also, a big thanks to RPM Motorsports and Carolina Drilling."

An elated Jim Teachman said, "Everybody did a great job. I can’t say enough about Joe, Mike and the rest of the crew. They all did a wonderful job. My thanks go out to everyone that has contributed to this program. I want to thank my wife Missy for putting up with me and letting me do this. I can’t say how much I appreciate the time and effort Joe Lepone has given me to help me get this far."

"The crew and everyone did a great job tonight." said Joe Lepone Jr "Jim always makes us look on the starting line. His reaction times were a .003, .006 and he was a little late in the final round wit his .012. It’s really nice working with a guy that we don’t have to worry about getting the car down the track. I also want to thank Mark Joyce and Mooresville Dragway for putting this race on. I want to thank my wife Cynthia, she cooks for everybody and keeps the car clean. "

Photos by Buddy and Matthew Trivette