Story by Phil Hutchison Photos by Diane Kubicke and Phil Hutchison

Maple Grove’s Lex Dudas gives Joe Teuton the award for winning the Hemi Shootout at the Dutch

Racing is completed for the day at the Dutch.  Dropping temperatures and fading sunlight called it a day but before the plug was pulled on the day’s action, there was plenty of great racing at what is now being called “The Quickest Track on the Planet” after last week’s NHRA event where nearly every Pro record was reset during the event.

Winning the coveted Hemi Challenge at the Grove was long time Mopar racer Joe Teuton from Schriever Louisiana as he beat local racer Tyler Hard in the finals. Both racers had their Barracudas running great during eliminations in a race that was dictated by  air, super air, track conditions, and untimely breakage by some of their competitors.

The Hemi finals at the Dutch had Teuton over Hard

Tyler’s Cuda was neck and neck with Teuton at half track but when Tyler went for high gear, it wasn’t there and slowed letting Teuton slip by for the win.

The first round had Matt Welker getting a break when his competition, Mark Howes, broke after getting the jump on Welker who spun the tires

Eleven Hemi Cars were on hand at the Dutch. Before first round the racers gathered around 2011 winner Gary Wolkwitz’s Dart

To get to the finals, Hard had to get around Jeffrey Kobylski’s Dart out of Macomb Twp MI. Kobylski made it easy for Tyler , leaving too early, giving the win to the local racer.

Top Dragster driver Bill Masiello gets the silk out after a qualifying run. First round was postponed until Sunday morning after the action was shut down for the day

What goes up must come down as local racer Lee Risser found out in his high flying SS/AS Nova

Bob Bender from Perryville MD set a new NHRA record in his “Fat Girl” O/SA ’69 Kingswood wagon but broke a rocker in the first round ending his day early