For any serious touring sportsman drag racer, the semi-final
loss is a four-letter word. While loss itself is certainly not
in the vocabulary of choice, adding the words a semi-final in
prefix form makes these competitors cringe. Of course, on one
hand, a semi-final finish is a strong showing: several round
wins, several valuable points, and an overall strong showing in
any event. The semi-final round, however, is almost inevitably a
huge cutoff round in terms of money and points: semi-finalists
don't enjoy the top-heavy final round payouts at bracket races,
and they don't earn contingency money at national and divisional
events. Plus, in most sanctions, there are several bonus points
awarded to finalists.
The Cummings Motorsports team, backed by Moser Engineering has
suffered thru several semi-final losses in recent weeks. While
those finishes put each member of the Cummings Motorsports team
in strong position in season-long points standings, the team is
feeling the effects of the money and points left on the table,
so to speak. At the NHRA Lucas Oil Division Series event last
weekend at Houston Raceway Park, Slate Cummings wheeled his
gorgeous Moser Engineering Cavalier into the semi-final round of
Super Stock. There, his effort was
thwarted by eventual winner David Latino.
Meanwhile, Moser Engineering teammate Jody Cool Simoneaux drove
the Cummings Moser Engineering Chevy II into the semi-finals of
Stock Eliminator. There, a red-light foul ended his day beside
eventual winner Jarrod Granier.
Two weeks prior, at the IHRA Pro-Am Series event at State
Capital Raceway in Baton Rouge, LA, Britt Cummings drove his
Moser Engineering backed dragster to the semi-final round in
Quick Rod competition. There, eventual winner Lloyd Choate put
an end to his day. In the same event, Slate Cummings advanced to
the quarterfinal round of Stock in his Moser Engineering Camaro,
where he fell to eventual runner-up Jimmy Hidalgo, Jr.
It's hard to be disappointed, explained Britt Cummings. We are
running well, and each of us have been deep in eliminations with
different cars, which is a testament to our program and the work
of our marketing partners. We just haven't been able to get over
the hump.
Their late finishes have the Cummings team within striking
distance in the NHRA and IHRA points chase at this early stage
of the season. In NHRA competition, Slate Cummings sits 4th in
Division 4 Super Stock points, and 18th in the national
standings. Britt Cummings also currently holds the 8th position
in NHRA Division 4 standings. On the IHRA side, Slate Cummings
is 2nd in IHRA Division 4 Super Stock standings, and 4th in
Division 4 Stock points.
In addition to Moser Engineering, the Cummings Motorsports team
would like to acknowledge the support of Reher & Morrison, River
Parrish RV, Meguiars, Trick Switch Panels, CSR Performance
Products, B&M Performance, Borla, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Mickey
Thompson Tires, K&N, Holley Performance, Amalie Oil, Weld
Wheels, Richmond Gear, Altronics, Harwood, Nitroplate, Edelbrock,
Mr. Gasket, Wingo Racing Engines, Biondo Racing Products, Auto
Meter, Mullis Race Cars, Torco, Simpson Safety Equipment,
Sullivan Transmissions, The Race Shop, and Milodon.
