Looking for a successful weekend close to home, Dean Dubbin traveled the short distance from his race shop to Brainerd International Raceway. Back behind the wheel for his first race in 2024, the DMP Awnings – Kentex Team was hoping for big things at their home track.
As It Happened:
Qualifying could have gone better for the Dubbin Team. Disappointing runs in testing and through two rounds of qualifying put the team in a “must-get-down-the-track” position in the third qualifying session. With the car hampered by shake and tire spin, Dubbin peddled his way into the number 6 qualifying position. Now qualified for the race the team’s focus shifted to eliminations on Sunday and the changes the car needed to manage traction on the tricky Brainerd surface.
“Everyone was working hard but we were unable to find what the car wanted to get down the track. We were encountering booth spin and shake a little further down track than we normally do at Brainerd,” explained Dean Dubbin, owner and driver of the Dubbin Motorsports A/Fuel Dragster. “I had to peddle it to get in the show on our final attempt, and that left us unsure of how aggressive we could be against James Stevens in round one.”
Rolling into round one the Dubbin team was very familiar with their opponent James Stevens, as they had raced against James and his blown-alcohol dragster for many years. The Steven’s car is one of the best blown-alcohol cars in the country, and very quick in the early part of the track. Backing their car down was not an option for the Dubbin Team.
When the light went green Dubbin left the line well and grabbed the early lead, only to see it disappear when tire-shake at the 130-foot mark caused the Goodyear slickes to lose traction – allowing Stevens to streak by for the win.
“This was not the track conditions we usually encounter at Brainerd, said Dubbin. The car didn’t seem to like anything we put in it to get down this race track. It was not the weekend we were looking for, but we will regroup and be back in a couple of weeks at the NHRA National Event here at Brainerd – where I am confident we can fight for the Wally.”
By the numbers:
Q1: 8.518 108.16 mph – #8 Qualifier
Q2: 5.803 261.78 mph – #9 Qualifier
Q3: 5.436 269.29 mph – #6 Qualifier
R1:
(W) James Stevens ( .145 RT) 5.387 269.29 mph
Dean Dubbin (.062 RT) 8.418 99.29 mph
What’s Next:
Next up for Dean Dubbin and the Dubbin Motorsports Team is the NHRA Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway – August 15-18.
Dubbin Motorsports Is:
Dean Dubbin & Karen Dubbin – Team Owners and Driver (Dean)
Kenny Woods – Owner Of KENTEX Roofing Systems
Clay Copeland (with wife Lisa Copeland) – Co-Crew Chief
Chase Copeland (with wife Brittney Copeland) – Co-Crew Chief
Kirk Wolf – Driver
Trevor Jelinski
Scott Jelinski
Don Nolan
Brad Hiatt
Stay in touch with the Dean Dubbin & the DMP Awnings Team:
Facebook – @DMPAwnings
Instagram – @DMPAwnings_
Twitter – @DMPAwnings
Racer.media – @DMPAwnings
Stay in touch with Driver Kirk Wolf:
Facebook – @KirkWolfRacing
Instagram- @KirkWolf
Team Support:
DMP Awnings | Kentex Roofing Systems | Central McGowan | Noonan | NGK Spark Plugs | Goodson | Copeland Race Cars | Wright Brothers Consulting | Aluminum Cabinet Company | Mile High Crankshafts
Motorsports Media | Dubbin Motorsports
