The 2nd annual SCAG Power Equipment PRO Superstar Shootout concluded this past weekend with Shawn Reed capturing his first professional Top Fuel career win, Ron Capps defeating Austin Prock in an epic Funny Car final and Troy Coughlin Jr., winning Pro Stock over No. 1 qualifier Cory Reed. A near capacity crowd at Bradenton Motorsports Park was treated to a full day of elimination rounds and a free concert from Andy Ross, the American Rebel, at the conclusion of the three-day mega racing event.
In the Top Fuel final Reed was facing Floridian and multi-time Top Fuel national event winner Josh Hart. Hart had posted the two quickest elapsed times in the first and second round of race day. Both 11,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragsters jumped off the starting line together and it was Reed getting to the finish line first with a strong 3.699 second run at 330.39 mph just in front of Hart’s equally impressive 3.724 second run at 321.27 mph. Reed’s pass was the quickest of the day in Top Fuel as cooler temperatures created optimal racing conditions.
“This is flat out incredible right now,” said an exuberant Reed at the top end. “It’s impossible to think ahead because you haven’t done anything. I have to thank Red Line Oil, Matco Tools, All American Automotive. Thanks to all the fans. Man, it’s been great with all these people out here. I’m more than blessed right now, and I’m probably happy as I’ve been in a long, long time.”
“I’m so happy for my crew guys. They put up with a lot last year. I lost a lot of races for them,” said Reed. “We won a race, and they can’t take that back from us. And this is a pretty big race, too, by the way, it’s the eight best, guys in the NHRA.”
Three-time Funny Car world champion Capps was looking to stop the Funny Car driver with the most momentum heading into the final in Austin Prock. As the defending event winner and reigning Funny Car champion Prock was looking to go back-to-back in Bradenton, but Capps and crew chief Dean “Guido” Antonelli took the win in a spectacular final round. Capps turned on the win light with a 3.870 second run at 330.47 mph to get to the stripe first in front of Prock’s 4.003 second, 316.60 mph pass.
At the top end Capps was overjoyed and surprised to realize he had stopped one of the hottest drivers in the category. Nice new-look NAPA Auto Care Toyota GR Supra started the season with three win lights and a trip to the PRO Superstar Shootout winner’s circle.
“This event is special. It’s the second year we’ve done anything like this, but you have an all-star cast,” said Capps. “Back in the day, as a kid, you know, I read about the Orange County races and all the stuff, where everybody showed up. This SCAG PRO Superstar Shootout is what it’s all about. A lot of our sponsors are big supporters of this event, so thank you, SCAG, for putting all that money up. We’re gonna love it, but our NAPA guys, (crew chief) Guido. I cannot say enough about how hard he’s worked, and this is the fruit of our team’s labor.”
The professional final rounds started with Pro Stock showcasing the young talent of Cory Reed, driving for KB Titan Racing and Troy Coughlin Jr. representing Elite Motorsports. Reed, a second year Pro Stock driver, was looking for his first career win after a dominating performance on the track over the past two days. Coughlin Jr. secured the win immediately when Reed jumped the starting system, forcing a red-light disqualification. His winning time was a pedestrian 11.859 seconds at 121.67 mph after his yellow JEGS Chevrolet Camaro overpowered the track just as he was passing the Christmas Tree.
“You know winning this race is so surreal,” said Coughlin Jr. “I haven’t even really let it sink in yet. We’re gonna enjoy this. Thank you to the PRO group, and all the sponsors involved especially SCAG. This was a huge win and it’s a great way to start the season. Cory is a great guy and a tough competitor, and this class is awesome.”
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