ONE CLASS, ONE DAY, 114 CARS.
Dennis Bailey Stuns NoPrep Racing World By Doing The Impossible!
The “Biggest Street Race in History”, that’s a bold statement to make. The fact checkers are buzzing, Facebook is whirling, how did Dennis Bailey pull this off? Experience. Dennis and his brother Derrick have been chasing races all over the country for years. They have seen every scenario possible over time and they have witnessed promoters running events in all kinds of ways. The Bailey brothers themselves have been a part of filming on Discovery’s Street Outlaws Memphis on this very road.
“Grudge On The Gate”, the very words ring in drag racing. Grudge Racing, trash talking and often high stakes betting are some of the things that go hand in hand with Street Racing and Grudge Racing. This “Grudge” is with a street this time, a street that is synonymous with racing over years and years in Memphis. Although Street Racing is illegal, facts are facts and it happens everyday somewhere. Knowing this particular street was a great candidate, things were set in motion and before you know it Grudge On The Gate was a reality.
Partnering with Dennis is Shaye Kelly, who has successfully run past events on Rivergate Rd. Ms. Kelley worked with the local government to get the necessary permits to make this race a reality. Together along side Derrick Bailey and Kelsey Hall, Shaye and Dennis made history with the Grudge on the Gate series. People will be talking about this one for a while to come.
As I roll in on Saturday morning, still buzzing from Friday night testing, the scene begins to unfold. The previous night started with Memphis and Arkansas racers grudge racing and open testing for all racers. An unexpected oil down slowed progress, Dennis and his crew got the road cleaned and ready for Saturday. This is a dead end road first off, the ability to control that many rigs and spectators on a dead end road its just amazing.
Entry fees are paid, eager faces, a first place pot worth well over ten thousand dollars awaits whoever can outlast the 114 car field. That’s right, 114 tow rigs and crew, plus over 2000 spectators. The estimate is close to 2,500 people total on a dead end road. All these people in one place and the biggest controversy of the day was over $15 Burger, fries, and a can drink. Food vendors we need you, but let’s be real ok. It’s not Disney, people work hard in Mid-South. Let’s keep that Pinky and the Brain mentality to a minimum.
The racing was amazing. There is nothing in this world like watching a blown hot rod blaze down a road like a fireball. Burn out after burn out, launch after launch. This is where racing all started anyway, it is the kind of thing that brings the youthfulness and excitement back to racing. No one complained, it was absolutely amazing the eagerness and just plain excitement to be there and be a part of it.
Brandon Stanley in his black S10 turbo truck took home the win and $14,692. Brandon absolutely had that truck dialed all weekend and was a force to be reckoned with. He personally stopped at the end of a run and picked up one of my action cameras that fell off a car down track. Thank you Mr. Stanley, you are a stand up guy. Michael Newcome took home $3,648 for second place, Wes Snow and Nick Magers third and fourth with $250 and a $900 Milwaukee tool kit each. That brought the total pot to $18,240, plus a $100 donation to the winner for having a diaper and belly pan.
Everyone that attended will take home the memory of being a part of one of the biggest street races in history. So many fast cars, there were no ducks. Time will tell as far as who will show up for Grudge on the Gate 3. Until then, enjoy the sea of videos and photos from the many media channels present at Grudge on the Gate 2. For the meantime get them hot rods ready.