South Mountain Raceway – Race Number Four found the Vintage Eliminator gang occupying South Mountain Raceway on what would be a day of not only picture-perfect weather, but near picture-perfect racing.

Today’s competition would answer a number of questions. After winning the last race, would defending series champion, Danielle Stewart be putting a streak together to defend her title? Would last race’s runner-up, Brian Burns break through and win a race to keep the series streak of having a different winner every race going? And what of current points leader, Brian Ketterer? Would he be able to add to his lead or would others start catching up?

These folks always put on a show with close races, but this day was crazy close. It seemed like a bunch of races were decided by inches or ten-thousandths of a second. With all this intensity, winning wasn’t always the top priority. After one round, I overheard Liz Leggett saying her greatest worry was something would happen to her car that might accidentally cause damage to Brian Ketterer’s car. Those not understanding why she would feel that way and are not familiar with these cars should know each entry carries a style and class and character all their own that makes each one special in their own way. You’ll find everything from cars that fit well-known car guy David Freiberger’s creed of “Don’t get it right, get it running,” right on up to impeccable works of art. Ketterer’s Model A is probably the shiniest of the bunch, constructed with a great eye for detail. Some would be afraid to drive it, yet Ketterer races it for fun and enjoys every second. The thing’s even street legal, so he can drive it anywhere he wants! I’m not sure if anyone other than Liz is afraid of putting a scratch on it when racing him, though. I am pretty sure he’s safer driving it on the drag strip than he is driving it on the street.

Questions started getting answered early as Danielle Stewart didn’t go rounds to extend her win streak. When all the dust settled, it came down to Brian vs. Brian, with Brian Ketterer lining up against Brian Burns in the final. With everyone shouting, “Go Brian!” (couldn’t go wrong there), the intensity of both racers came to the front as they both left early. Ketterer left first, but Burns was even earlier on his dial-in, giving the win to Ketterer, making him the first person to win two races in this series. The win gave Ketterer more room at the top, Burns with his second runner-up in a row moving him up to second place. Defending series champ, Danielle Stewart is still hanging in there at third, consistent runs by Liz Leggett moves her up into fourth place, and some good driving by Gene Groshon moves him up into fifth place. This sets the stage for an epic battle in the next series race! Make sure you mark your calendars so you don’t miss the next one of the Vintage Eliminator races! You’ll soon find out why this is becoming the most interesting (both cars and drivers) and fun (again, both cars and drivers) class in all of drag racing!

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