SPRING FLING MILLION

the distance . I thought to myself , it ’ s never going to get any better than this . Then , to coast down and be greeted by my wife and sons to celebrate , those are moments you never forget .”

Serra ’ s perfect run during Saturday time trials secured the Brodix Run for the $ 50,000 award , a triumph previously claimed by Steve Witherow at the 2020 Bristol Fling Million . Serra ’ s perfect . 000-second reaction time was paired with a 4.610 on his 4.61 target .

“ It was almost like an out-of-body experience , seeing the dead-on zero after the triple-zero reaction time ,” said Pennsylvania ’ s Serra , who was wheeling a Silverstate entry . “ I ’ m thinking how lucky I am just to be able to have these opportunities . I ’ m thankful Shane Thompson trusts me with his equipment , and it ’ s never a bad time when you get to take some of Peter ’ s money .”

The week began with Shaffer emerging as the Silverstate $ 30K Wednesday winner . Nearly 400 single-entered racers came to the table , and Shaffer earned a ticket to the final to face fellow West Coast hitter Greg Hicks . Shaffer , who was the $ 50K winner at the 2020 Fall Fling West , was . 010 to a - . 003 red light to claim his second win in the series .

“ This was a different feeling because my family was here . I felt a lot calmer ,” said Shaffer . “ Racing the Fling , it ’ s a big stage , and it pushes you to be better . That ’ s what keeps bringing me back . To be the best , you have to race the best .”

Kris Whitfield has history at the Flings , including a $ 3K win at the 2013 Las Vegas Spring Fling , a $ 30K win at the 2022 Spring Fling Million , and three additional final-rounds at various Flings . This time around , he was the Laris Motorsports Insurance $ 30K Thursday winner with a finalround defeat of Phillip Pennington .

“ When you get to the Spring Fling final , it doesn ’ t matter how much money you ’ re racing for – it ’ s as much about the title as it is the money ,” said Whitfield . “ We have all the respect in the

world for the Pennington family – anytime they ’ re in the other lane , it ’ s a serious situation . It ’ s just a lot of fun and good racing with those guys .”

Michigan ’ s Donnie Hagar continued to make a name for himself in the high-stakes arena as he claimed the $ 1,000 bonus and Pro title before combining into Super Pro at five cars . Driving the Sandlin family ’ s ‘ 85 S-10 – a car he had never set foot in before – Hagar mastered the change of scenery to become the FTI Performance $ 30K Saturday winner over young Cooper Chun .

“ I knew going in there I had to be at my best ,” said Hagar , who was . 003 at the tree and . 014 above his dial for victory over Chun ’ s breakout pass in his dragster . “ I just tried to stay as present as I could , get out of my head , and let my instincts take over . This was my first Fling experience , and it was amazing . Everything is exactly how you ’ d want it , and it ’ s an opportunity everyone should try at least once . You won ’ t regret it .”

Several more Fling events will take place in 2024 , with the 15th anniversary Fall Fling $ 500k scheduled for September 24-28 in Bristol . Go to BracketRaces . com for more information . DI

22 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 188