BRISTOL, Tenn. (Sept. 26, 2022) – The RAD Fall Fling took place at Bristol Dragway starting Sept. 20 for the 13th time and brought four days of high-powered drag racing to Thunder Valley.
The event was the final stop on the 2022 Fling Tour, which brings the some of the best drivers from all over the country together to compete for cash prizes.
The first day of competition offered drivers a $15,000 warm-up purse. Thirty-two drivers battled it out on Wednesday for the purse, but it was Blaine Mayer that would edge out JR Lockhart after laying down a .013 time. Both drivers were first-time Fling finalists.
The second day saw the winner’s purse double to $30,000 for a record setting 640 entries before a long rain delay paused the event. Once cars got back on the strip, it was pedal to the metal from there.
Dwindling the count down to just two drivers after 10 rounds of knockouts, Kevin Brannon and Josh Luedke would take to the stage in the final round with $30,000 on the table. Both drivers claimed multiple Fling titles under their belts, putting on a show for fans. Bannon had Luedke off the start but was unable to maintain his lead as Luedke would cruise to a big payday to close out the second day.
Friday offered drivers the biggest purse of the weekend at $100,000. The event broke the entry record set the day prior with 674 entrants for the six-figure purse. Ray Miller III and Jack Collier would be the final men standing following the closely contested semi-finals. It was the reaction time of Miller at the start that gave him the slight edge at the finish line and earned him $100,000.
Saturday was unfortunately rained out, but the drivers were back to their cars on Sunday as they had one more shot for a $30,000 payout.
A whopping 648 entries for the final day of racing proved that the drivers and crew members were far from tired and were ready to give it their best shot to walk away with the trophy. Matt Dadas and Bart Nelson would be the final two drivers to take to the historical Bristol Dragway to close out the successful event and battle for the $30,000 payday.
It was Matt Dadas that claimed victory in his 1998 Grand Am as he defeated Bart Nelson to earn the $30,000 prize. Dadas would finish second in the 2022 Fall Fling MVP, ranking behind Ray Miller III. Miller would get the nod due to his $100,000 win and earn another $1000 bonus for the achievement.
The Fall Fling is expected to return to Bristol in 2023.
