SEGA Closes Out 2026 Season at Shadyside Dragway

DRAG RACING ACTION ONLINE

STORY NOSTALGIA EDITOR MACHIE MIHALKO IMAGES COURTESY SEGA AND MASHIE M

Racers and spectators experienced the first triple event of the Southeast Gassers Association. Normally the SEGA Finals is only a one race event. Two qualifying passes and go right into eliminations. Due to the cancelation of races scheduled at Greer, South Carolina and Gulfport, Mississippi because of inclement weather, a decision was made by SEGA officials to hold three races at Shadyside Dragway in Shelby, NC.

The association, a dedicated group of racing enthusiasts, keeps the 1960’s gasser racing alive with four classes of steel bodied, manually shifted cars racing to keep the essence of gassers alive.

The SEGA rulebook is simple on what you can or cannot run. What you can’t run is more important than what you race. The biggest rule is all cars must be 1967 or earlier. No tube chassis, and no wraps. All cars must be hand lettered and period correct to capture the feel of the nostalgia the group is trying to achieve.

The first two days of competition began with a time shot. A chip draw was utilized to pair up the race entries. The Elimination rounds of A, B, C classes and Super Stock started in late afternoon. The racing program gave the local fans a chance to see the Gassers after leaving their day jobs.

A SEGA race never disappoints with high rpm launches off the starting line. The drivers are constantly working the steering wheel keeping their “Gasser“ from crossing the centerline or brushing the retaining walls. Since the Southeast Gassers Association Finals are held Halloween weekend, the Back Up Girls ( B.U.G.S. ) are dressed in a variety of costumes. Trunk or Treat is held for the younger fans in the pit area.

Saturday’s competition gave the participants two qualifying runs before the Elimination rounds.

Fans were treated to Exhibition passes by race cars that were not in the aforementioned classes. The Match Races between the tribute cars of Allen Platt and his cousin Rocky Platt had the attention of the spectator filled grandstands and all those along the fencing of this vintage 1/8 mile track.

A Winners Circle concluded each night of the event with large trophy cups awarded to the deserving Champions in their respective classes.

With the Robbins Repairables at Shadyside Dragway the last race of the season, some titles were still up for grabs.

Taking the quick A/Gas class was Leslie Horne from Chesnee SC in the 55’ Chevy Chick Magnet ‘55 Chevy. Horne defeated the Southern Flyer of Gabriel Burrell in the finals.

B/Gas went to the Rocky Top Missile Nova of Ted McKee beating Mike Oden’s Double Down Chevy II, McKee ran away with B/Gas winning seven SEGA races in 2026.

Jeff Jones in the wheel standing Renegade Nova won C/Gas over the Double XX ‘58Chevy of Todd Oden. While Jones won the event, Oden was 2026 C/Gas champ.

Jerry Dean from Lacey’s Spring, Alabama. in the Last Rebel II Nova claimed Super Stock over Rob Walden’s Chevy. Dean was the 2026 SEGA champ with seven wins in his Nova.