ROCKINGHAM — Kevin Helmick rolled his “GRMPYCAT” Hellcat down the track at 168.92 mph with an elapsed time of 4.5651 to take home the trophy in the Heavyweight Outlaw Class in the return of Civil Wars to Rockingham Dragway.
The event, presented by NC Speed Lab, previously ran for two decades as a spring race at the track.
Helmick, of New Bern, is no stranger to winning at the Rock.
Last month he took first in the Outlaw Class in the Modern Street Hemi Shootout, a series co-founded and run by Dragway co-owner Dan Vanhorn. Click here to read that story.
In 2020, Helmick made it to the finals in three classes — Outlaw, King of the Hill and 8.50 Index — during the Griffin Motors Mopars at the Rock event.
David Muth, of Youngsville, took the top spot in the True Street Class, which had drivers making laps around the oval at neighboring Rockingham Speedway.
“It’s the first time I’ve won anything big,” Muth said holding his prize.
Mike Ingram, of Grantsboro, won both the Footbrake and Sunday Footbrake classes.
Other winners included:
- Pro Tree Doorslammers – Anthony Cupolo of Sanford
- Open Comp – Phillip Latham of Monroe
- 600 Index – Todd Comer of New London
- Jr Dragster – Kenzie Whitley of Locust
- 470 Index – Todd Buckner of Mooresville
Driver Chris Dufresne had to be airlifted after crashing into the wall Saturday evening, but Vanhorn said Dufresne was back at the track on Sunday.
During the races, volunteers held a blood stem cell registration drive for Jason “Mex” Bennett of Ellerbe. Anyone who would like to register and was unable to make it to the event can do so by visiting: https://www.dkms.org/register-now
The event also featured performances by John Norris and Rockingham native Erik Hawks on Friday, as well as a Luke Bryan tribute and Ultimate Aldean on Saturday, followed by a fireworks show. Local vocalist Nikki Fletcher also performed the national anthem to kick things off on Saturday.
The RO will have photos from the concerts at a later time.
This weekend, the Dragway hosts Who’s Your Daddy? Volume 2.
See photos from Civil Wars below.
Corrections to names made 12:45 p.m. 6-13-23.
