Jimmy Taylor’s Epic Chase for 4.999 in Doorslammer Drag Racing

Jimmy Taylor and his crew enter a third day at Maryland International Raceway, chasing the first sub-five-second doorslammer quarter-mile.

The plan is precise: make a 9 a.m. EST hit, target a 3.43-second eighth-mile, then press on if the car survives.

Tuesday delivers a 3.461-second run at 232 mph to the eighth. Historian Bret Kepner projects that pass to a 5.17 at 279 mph.

Kepner’s modeling indicates a roughly 3.38-second eighth-mile is needed to break five seconds, referencing Todd Moyer’s 5.14 Drag Illustrated Top 8 benchmark from January 2024 winter conditions.

Taylor’s twin-turbo Pro Mod reaches 232 mph in under 3.5 seconds, covering four football fields. That performance reshapes expectations within doorslammer drag racing at this level.

The car’s power-to-weight ratio approaches 2.92 horsepower per pound from nearly 7,000 horsepower. A 410 sprint car delivers 0.63, highlighting setup complexity and driver safety considerations under load.

Time slips support the trajectory. A 3.477 at 229 mph carried a 1.08-second back-half split, a sign the car sustains acceleration. Data from the 3.461 pass remains pending.

The competitive bar is formidable. The Top 8 record book includes Moyer, Gonzalez, Scruggs, Ricca, Micke, and Dillard, defining standards that shape current auto racing industry trends and priorities.

Context matters. Many benchmarks come in dense, cold air. Taylor runs earlier, with density altitude climbing from 600–800 to over 1,800 feet, complicating power delivery and traction windows.

Execution remains the differentiator. Success requires aligned horsepower, traction, track state, and clean driving. Tuner Carl Stevens Jr. also targets a 300 mph quarter-mile once the barrier falls.

The venue adds relevance. Maryland International Raceway hosts its first NHRA national event in 2026, making this program a live case study in preparation and repeatable processes.

One clean run remains the difference between contention and history, with lasting implications for the class.

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Miles Carter

Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.