Dustin Smiley claimed victory over Jeff Verdi in the Fuel Factory Friday $25,000 event at the JEGS Performance Door Car Fling, hosted by OPTIMA Batteries, at GALOT Motorsports Park in Benson, NC. Smiley, known for his consistent performance at Fling events, faced off against Verdi after navigating through a competitive field of 353 entries. In the final round, both competitors drove Pontiacs, with Smiley’s Grand Prix beating Verdi’s ’66 GTO, which turned red by just one thousandth. This win adds to Smiley’s successful track record at GALOT, including a $50K victory earlier this spring and a $15K win in 2024.

During the semifinals, Verdi managed to secure his spot by outpacing Dakota Pugh and eliminating Shannon Joseph, who fouled out against him. Smiley showcased his skills by using a strong reaction time of .015 against Cody Heidt to move forward in the competition. The remaining eight drivers in the ladder round included notable names like Kevin Pollard and Greg Walker. Ultimately, Smiley’s well-timed reaction and strategic driving allowed him to take home the grand prize, solidifying his reputation as a formidable competitor in bracket racing. For more information about bracket racing events, interested individuals can visit BracketRaces.com or check out the Spring Fling Bracket Races Facebook page.



Source: dragchamp.com