Southern Shootout is Back in Nashville
             NASHVILLE – Gentlemen, start your engines. No rain delay this weekend as the 2002 Southern Survival shootout rolled into Nashville. Music city raceway is located in north Nashville outside of Joelton. The 1/8 mi track fills each weekend with loud fans that rivals even the most dedicated NASCAR fans. Unlike a typical three-hour football game, or two-hour concert, drag racing is an all day affair. Come early, stay late, and stay all weekend.
             The Southern Survival Shootout is a NHRA sanctioned event. "This is a race where you can win a lot of money. If you are wanting to get anywhere, this is the race to be at," says Cliff Reigle, Owner of Reigle Racing in Nashville. Reigle is a local favorite among the drag racing community. Cliff has been racing at the track for over 15 years and has also participated in bigger national NHRA races. "Even though this event is not nationally recognized, it's a good foot in the door for many new inspiring racers," says Reigle.
             The loud, heart-pounding racing was spread out all weekend. Racers lined up patiently, awaiting their opportunity for the cash. The weekend however was dominated by merely a handful of racers. Local favorites like Johnny Case of Clarksville, and Tim Cmar of Springfield were defiantly the crowd favorites as they dominated the super/pro circuit. Super/pro is a two-vehicle, tournament style elimination. The loosing driver in each race is eliminated, and the winning drivers progress until one driver remains. There is a winner and a runner up in each event.
             Friday night started with a series of eliminations. Drivers would pull up to the 660-foot track, start their engines, and wait for the Christmas tree (an electronic light device that tells drivers when to start). Friday night's races stretched out well into the night. One by one, drivers were eliminated and the winner would wait...