For the third time this young season, Dan Fletcher has been victorious. Driving his Micro Strategies 1969 Camaro, Dan took home a win this past weekend at the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series event in Richmond, Virginia.
Fletcher topped a strong field, lasting six rounds of competition at the popular Virginia Motorsports Park to win the Ironman trophy plus a healthy cash prize.
Round 1 saw Dan faced veteran racer Gene Jordan, also in a ’69 Camaro. Dan was better on the tree and took the stripe, which moved him to the second round. There, he was matched with Joe Huestis driving an ’81 Camaro with a slower 10.04 dial-in. Again, Dan got the light (.039 to .082) and he drove around Huestis to capture the win.
Dan took a Round three win, and he faced fellow Division 1 rival Jim Marshall in round four. Dan took a slight hole shot and held off Marshall with a dead-on-the-number 10.98 at 113 mph. That win gave dan a competition single in the semi-final and he prepared with a .014 reaction time and 10.90 pass.
This set up the final round match between Dan and Ron Jewell in a quick 1970 Chevelle. Dan launched first with a .034 reaction time and Jewell was behind him with a .096 reaction. This set the stage for the run and Dan was able to hold on, running 10.94 on his 10.93 prediction, which Jewell broke out, going 10.68 on his 10.70 dial-in.
“I’m elated to capture a third win, two in IHRA and one in NHRA, so early in the season,” said Dan. “We’ve prepared very well for this season and it’s paying off. I’m pleased with the performance of the Micro Strategies Camaros. They are quick and consistent, and you need both to win. These are tough fields with competition that runs deep. There are no ‘gimmie’ rounds, you must earn everything,” Dan stated.
“We’re constantly learning and analyzing data, much like the team at Micro Strategies. In fact, we’re teaming up with DragInsights, Micro Strategies, Bongiovanni Racing and fellow racer Peter Biondo to produce a free webinar called the ‘Race Smarter Workshop’ on May 12th. Peter and I will be discussing how data, statistics and analytics is used on the DragInsights app to help racers win. It’s free webinar and I encourage everyone to sign up.”
Anthony Bongiovanni added, “What can I say about Dan that hasn’t already been said. This is his third win and its only mid-April. It’s energizing to see his success and we’re looking forward to strapping into our Micro Strategies Cobra Jet Mustangs. The weather is finally suitable for racing in the northeast and we’re ready for our first event.”
