Rhodes reclaimed the title he last won in 2004, beating veteran Tommy Duff for the title.  However, Duff didn’t leave empty-handed.  The Holly Ridge building contractor won 50 gallons of fuel from the track as the most successful Footbraker who DID NOT advance as far as the semifinals.   The 100-gallon bonus poste din Top Eliminator was grabbed off by Rodney Pleasant of Coats.

Phillips beat closest challenger Zack Pauley of Mocksville in the semifinals en route to a final round victory over Candice Sturkie of Darlington, S.C., on Sunday.  After losing to Sturkie in the Saturday semifinals when she was guilty of a rare foul start, Phillips had to win on Sunday – and she did. 
 
 She beat Pauley by two points with defending track champion Devin Gilreath of Greenville, S.C., another four points back in third place. 

 Dial won the $3,000 winner’s share on Saturday by using a .004 of a second reaction time to turn back Thomas Cain of Lumberton.  Strickland earned Sunday’s top prize by beating 2007 Rockingham track champ Junior Raper of Greenville, S.C.

 Enroute to his victory, Strickland beat Bernie Parker of Pine Level in the semifinals, significant because in the previous round Parker had put up almost perfect numbers in beating Drew Phillips of North Charleston, S.C.  Parker had a perfect .000 reaction time and an eighth mile time of 5.036 seconds against a 5.030 target. 

 Unfortunately, she needed similar perfection against Strickland – and couldn’t deliver.

 The Alfords claimed both of the $1,500 winners’ prizes in Footbrake with Raleigh’s Richard Alford Jr. driving his 1971 Chevelle to victory on Saturday and Angier’s Steve Alford putting his 1971 Ford Pinto in the winners’ circle on Sunday.

 Steve Alford’s final round victory over Steve Antinori of Sneads Ferry may have been the closest of the entire weekend, decided by .001 of a second.

Results from the Rock Batteries Bracket Weekend event at Steve Earwood’s Rockingham Dragway:

Saturday
TOP ELIMINATOR
 Round 5 – Chip Johnson, Fayetteville, 1968 Camaro, .002, 6.570 on a 6.500, 97.52 mph, def. Mike Tyler, Tabor City, 1976 Chevy Luv, .119, 6.682 on a 6.650, 100.69 mph; Brian Thompson, Sneads Ferry, .020, 5.225 on a 5.200, 129.02 mph, def. Chad Breuer, Shannon, .016, 7.728 on a 7.740, 87.87 mph; Stewart Newton, Bennettsville, S.C., .006, 5.097 on a 5.070, 133.62 mph, def. Jamie Freeman, Westville, S.C., .045, 8.238 on an 8.260, 79.56 mph; Buddy Dial, Maxton, .015, 4.8900 on a 4.850, 140.42 mph, def. Nicholas Womack, Lillington, foul; Donny Urban, .015, 4.504 on a 4.500, 152.54mph, def. E.J. Sellers, Whiteville, foul; Thomas Cain, Lumberton, .009, 4.983 on a 4.970, 134.78 mph, def. David Lowe, Raeford, 6.347 on a 6.340, 107.65 mph; Rodney Pleasant, Coats, bye.
 Round 6 – Dial, .035, 4.870 on a 4.870, 137.99 mph, def. Pleasant, .010, 7.649 on a 7.660, 88.25 mph; Newton, .017, 5.130 on a 5.090, 127.64 mph, def. Thompason, .004, 5.291 on a 5.200, 127.46 mph; Cain, .020, 4.980 on a 4.970, 136.86 mph, def. Urban, .015, 4.533 on a 4.510, 148.07 mph; Johnson, bye.
 Semifinals – Dial, .026, 4.863 on a 4.860, 137.27 mph, def. Johnson, .026, 6.506 on a 6.500, 105.17 mph; Cain, .018, 4.974 on a 4.970, 136.90 mph, def. Newton, .034, 5.063 on a 5.080, 135.08 mph.
 FINAL – Buddy Dial, Maxton, .004, 4.886 on a 4.850, 134.83 mph, def. Thomas Cain, Lumberton, .032, 4.989 on a 4.970, 136.81 mph.

FOOTBRAKE
 Round 5 – William Roberts, Benson, .019, 6.391 on a 6.400, 108.39 mph, def. Richard Alford Jr., Raleigh, 1971 Chevy Nova, .005, 6.840 on a 6.850, 95.56 mph; Tommy Duff, Holly Ridge, .076, 7.054 on a 7.060, 95.72 mph, def. Ricky Edwards, Jacksonville, 1978 Chevy Nova, foul; Eric Aman, Mt. Ol.ive, 1971 Chevy Camaro, .057, 5.958 on a 5.960, 115.53 mph, def. Steve Alkford, Angier, 1971 Ford Pinto, .034, 6.798 on a 6.810, 98.25 mph; Wesley Roberts, Benson, 1972 Chevy Camaro, NA, 6.499 on a 6.530, 105.83 mph, def. Mike Jackson, Newton rove, foul; Richard Alford Jr., Raleigh, 1971 Chevy Chevelle, .013, 6.860 on a 6.850, 98.84 mph, def. Mark Soles, Riegelwood, 1988 Ford Mustang, .057, 5.740 on a 5.750, 119.77 mph.
 Round 6 – Aman, .039, 5.968 on a 5.940, 115.20 mph, def. Duff, .045, 7.049 on a 7.050, 95.12 mph; William Roberts, .011, 6.443 on a 6.380, 103.97 mph, def. Wesley Roberts, .062, 6.518 on a 6.490, 105.64 mph; R. Alford, bye.
 Semifinals – R. Alford, .019, 6.841 on a 6.820, 98.25 mph, def. Aman, .035, 5.959 on a 5.950, 114.61 mph, Williams Roberts, bye.
 FINAL – Richard Alford Jr., Raleigh, 1971 Chevy Chevelle, .005, 7.238 on a 6.830, 74.66 mph, def. William Roberts, Benson, foul.

JR DRAGSTER 
 Round 1 – Ross Freeman, Westville, S.C., .082, 11.200 on an 11.100, 56.95 mph, def. Megan Scott, Lancaster, .100, 7.946 on a 7.970, 82.07 mph; Devin Gilbreath, Greenville, S.C., .101, 8.358 on an 8.380, 77.72 mph, def. Candice Sturkie, Darlington, S.C., .214, 8.007 on an 8.030, 83.17 mph; Noah Strickland, Concord, .118, 8.768 on an 8.750, 72.71 mph, def. Amae Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .047, 20.883 on an 11.010, 57.71 mph; Larry Ratley, Thomasville, .114, 7.888 on a 7.900, 81.64 mph, def. Darlene Lundy, Lugofe, S.C., .317, 11.068 on an 11.090, 55.64 mph; Nicole Phillips, Sumter, S.C., .054, 7.954 on a 7.920, 82.34 mph, def. Morgan Tedder, Marston, .080, 8.048 on an 8.090, 76.86 mph; Zackery Pauley, Mocksville, bye.
 Round 3 – Morgan Tedder, Marston, .070, 8.031 on a 7.990, 75.67 mph; def. Darlene Lundy, Lugofe, S.C., .098, 11.534 on an 11.020, 53.86 mph; Amae Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .326, 10.866 on a 10.830, 57.95 mph, def. Noah Strickland, Concord, .090, 9.299 on an 8.660, 61.29 mph; Nicole Phillips, Sumter, S.C., .045, 7.976 on a 7.900, 81.63 mph, def. Larry Ratley, Thomasville, .129, 7.948 on a 7.900, 81.50 mph; Devin Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .158, 8.306 on an 8.270, 77.67 mph, def. Zackery Pauley, Mocksville, .112, 8.011 on a 7.900, 83.85 mph; Candice Sturkie, Darlington, S.C., .018, 8.008 on a 7.910, 83.48 mph, def. Ross Freeman, Westville, S.C., no time; Megan Scott, Lancaster, bye.
 Round 4 – Sturkie, .227, 7.984 on a 7.950, 82.02 mph, def. A. Gilreath, .318, 10.932 on a 10.850, 57.56 mph; D. Gilreath, .053, 8.314 on an 8.270, 78.22 mph, def. Scott, foul; Phillips, .012, 8.066 on a 7.940, 79.18 mph, def. Tedder, .186, 8.041 on a 7.970, 80.20 mph;
 Semifinals – Sturkie, .326, 8.008 on a 7.950, 83.21 mph, def. Phillips, foul; D. Gilreath, bye.
 FINAL – Candice Sturkie, Darlington, S.C., .080, 8.032 on a 7.950, 83.22 mph, def. Devin Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .108, 8.383 on an 8.400, 76.43 mph.

Sunday
TOP ELIMINATOR
 Round 5 – Jerry Brewer, Lumberton, .035, 4.970 on a 4.940, 138.07 mph, def. Timothy Thomas, Lumberton, .034, 5.084 on a 5.050, 134.97 mph; Tommy Strickland, Raeford, .032, 4.679 on a 4.670, 148.54 mph, def. Joe Gary, Greenwood, S.C., .010, 4.539 on a 4.500, 152.76 mph; Durant Cottingham, Thomasville, .015, 4.965 on a 4.950, 136.15 mph, def. Mike Tyler, Tabor City, 1976 Chevy Luv, .023, 6.687 on a 6.650, 100.69 mph; Junior Raper, Greenville, S.C., 1978 Corvette, .026, 6.026 on a 6.010, 113.61 mph, def. Gabe Taylor, Elizabethtown, .013, 5.160 on a 5.130, 126.00 mph; Bernice Parker, Pine Level, .019, 5.037 on a 5.040, 137.58 mph, def. Randy Anderson, Saluda, S.C., foul; Jerry Brewer #2, Lumberton, .036, 4.965 on a 4.950, 139.00 mph, def. Eric Aman, Mt. Olive, .033, 4.992 on a 4.970, 135.97 mph; Drew Phillips, N. Charleston, S.C., bye.
 Round 6 – Strickland, .049, 4.678 on a 4.670, 147.70 mph, def. Brewer, .027, 4.955 on a 4.960, 137.68 mph; Parker, .000, 5.036 on a 5.030, 137.26 mph, def. Phillips, .025, 4.850 on a 4.850, 142.63 mph; Raper, .014, 6.014 on a 6.020, 113.93 mph, def. Brewer, .023, 4.934 on a 4.950, 137.57 mph; Cottingham, bye.
 Semifinals – Strickland, .007, 4.694 on a 4.670, 144.19 mph, def. Parker, .018, 5.061 on a 5.030, 136.94 mph; Raper, .005, 6.023 on a 6.010, 113.99 mph, def. Cottingham, .015, 4.962 on a 4.950, 137.75 mph.
 FINAL – Tommy Strickland, Raeford, .019, 4.683 on a 4.670, 146.46 mph, def. Junior Raper, Greenville, S.C., 1978 Corvette, .023, 6.026 on a 6.010, 113.55 mph.

FOOTBRAKE
 Round 5 – Steve Antinori, Sneads Ferry, .030, 7.033 on a 7.050, 96.84 mph, def. Tommy Lumley, Charlotte4, 1940 Chevy couple, foul; Steve Alford, Angier, 1971 Ford Pinto, .047, 6.909 on a 6.830, 90.78 mph, def. Unknown, .144, 6.600 on a 6.580, 103.71 mph; Mike March, Rock Hill, S.C., 1989 Ford Mustang, .019, 7.089 on a 7.080, 97.07 mph, def. Roger Rhodes, Pikeville, 1968 Chevy II, .011, 7.100 on a 7.080, 95.59 mph; Tommy Duff, Holly Ridge, .027, 7.053 on a 7.050, 94.60 mph, def. Mike Jackson, Newton Grove, .069, 6.912 on a 6.920, 98.68 mph; Mark Soles, Riegelwood, 1988 Ford Mustang, .036, 5.793 on a 5.760, 114.77 mph, def. Don Anderson, Bennett, .156, 7.101 on a 7.090, 96.92 mph; Steve Antinori #2, Sneads Ferry, bye.
 Round 6 – Antinori, .089, 7.040 on a 7.030, 95.09 mph, def. March, .050, 7.064 on a 7.080, 97.52 mph; Alford, .005, 6.823 on a 6.800, 95.89 mph, def. Duff, .030, 7.049 on a 7.040, 95.51 mph; Soles, .020, 5.772 on a 5.770, 117.29 mph, def. Antinori #2, .062, 7.033 on a 7.040, 97.03 mph.
 Semifinals – Antinori, .002, 7.030 on a 7.030, 96.34 mph, def. Soles, foul; Alford, bye.
 FINAL – Steve Alford, Angier, 1971 Ford Pinto, .019, 6.803 on a 6.780, 98.07 mph, def. Steve Antinori, Sneads Ferry, .032, 7.042 on a 7.030, 96.69 mph.

JR DRAGSTER
 Round 3 – Nicole Phillips, Sumter, S.C., .071, 7.944 on a7.930, 82.80 mph, def. Morgan Tedder, Marston, .069, 8.016 on an 8.050, 80.33 mph; Noah Strickland, Concord, .131, 8.569 on an 8.540, 74.48 mph, def. Larry Ratley, Thomasville, foul; Devin Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .067, 8.805 on an 8.390, 57.58 mph, def. Ross Freeman, Westville, S.C., .198, 10.817 on a 10.500, 55.99 mph; Zackery Pauley, Mocksville, .042, 7.925 on a 7.900, 81.60 mph, def. John Moretz, Archdale, .146, 7.960 on a 7.900, 79.66 mph; Candice Sturkie, Darlington, S.C., .114, 8.831 on an 8.780, 72.96 mph, def. Megan Scott, Lancaster, foul; Holden Dial, Maxton, .047, 8.004 on a 7.920, 78.93 mph, def. Amae Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .362, 10.830 on a 10.720, 58.42 mph.
 Round 4 – Sturkie, .027, 8.839 on an 8.810, 73.31 mph, def. Dial, foul; Pauley, .053, 8.001 on a 7.900, 84.04 mph, def. Strickland, .130, 8.569 on an 8.540, 74.56 mph; Phillips, .075, 7.977 on a 7.940, 82.51 mph, def. D Gilreath, .201, 8.465 on an 8.390, 77.43 mph.
 Semifinals – Phillips, .075, 7.977 on a 7.940, 82.51 mph, def. Pauley, .081, 7.958 on a 7.900, 83.45 mph; Sturkie, bye.
 FINAL – Nicole Phillips, Sumter, S.C., .056, 7.957 on a 7.940, 82.55 mph, def. Candice Sturkie, Darlington, S.C., .102, 8.865 on an 8.820, 72.43 mph.