NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Kenjo Kelley collected the victory and the special acrylic Wally after whipping the eight-car field of entries from the Texas-based Redemption series, a special feature at this year’s NHRA SpringNationals.

The event featured eight of the fastest small tire cars from the area in a no-prep-style race – eighth-mile, no additional traction compound, instant green start, and no announced elapsed times – dueling for top honors.

After an early time trial and a chip draw to set the ladder, the drivers battled for three rounds.

Kelley, at the wheel of his turbocharged Brazoria, Texas-based 1998 Ford Mustang –- known as the Army car 2.0, built to show appreciation for servicemen and women -- drove around James Kay’s holeshot in round one then advanced to the final after Sergio “Flaco” Gonzales and his ‘91 S-10 slowed at halftrack in the semifinals.

In the final, Kelley took an easy win when Ryan Hall boiled the tires in “Roxxie,” his all-steel, nitrous-fed ’67 Camaro.

Hall, “the Sodfather,” a father of six and owner of a speed and chassis shop in Tyler, Texas, reached the final by holding off Chris “Boosted GT” Hamilton’s turbocharged Mustang in the semifinals. Both were fortunate to still be in the running in the final four as both had problems leaving the line in the first round. Hall survived when opponent Kyle Thompson crossed the centerline right at the finish, sending timing blocks bowling across the track, while Hamilton and his yellow Mustang lost in round one to Chase “the Kid” Kurszewski, who could not return for round two, allowing “Boosted” back in on the break rule.