Sick Week 2026...Happiness in Misery
/Well, Sick Week 2026 is in the books and to sad it was a rough week for all involved would be a drastic understatement!
I rolled into Gainesville just before 5pm local time on Sunday evening ready to kick off my season with another great Sick Week adventure. I knew that the weather was going to be a challenge, but I still look forward to the event each year.
This was my third year in a row covering Sick Week, and for those that don’t know, Sick Week is one of the premier Drag and Drive events in the country. Starting off at Gainesville on day one, SGMP on day two, a travel day on day 3, Bradenton on day 4, Orlando for day 5, and back to Gainesville to wrap up on day 6.
When I tell you that the weather was miserable, you can bet your ass that it was. For years I’ve heard the statement “well you grew up in the midwest, you should be used to the cold weather” and the fact is that Florida and South Georgia cold are much different and honestly much worse than Wisconsin cold. Add to that the wind that we seemed to be stuck with almost every day and it made everything almost unbearable at time.
Monday morning came and I was ready to capture some action. Temps were in the 50’s at best and you could tell that no one thought or felt like we were in Florida, The competitors, at least most of them were excited about the air, which if you were tuned right had the potential to make awesome horsepower. Track surface seemed to be on point throughout the day as well. We all thought that we were going to see some five second passes, but it was not to be. A lot of racers were trying to figure out their tunes with the ice cold temps.
After we wrapped up on Monday I immediately headed straight to South Georgia. Tuesday was going to be another brutal day in the grand scheme of things when it came to the temps. That should its ugly head when we started losing competitors. One of the heavy hitting Swedish teams, along with Sick Week Founder Tom Bailey were both out of competition by the time we were done on Tuesday.
Off to the west coast of Florida on Tuesday night, even though Wednesday was a travel day. I stopped in Sarasota for a visit to the beach before heading to the hotel to rest up and figure out what I was going to do on Wednesday. Wednesday came and head to Lead Foot City, which is a big stop on the tour on Wednesday. What a beautiful day it was too! The weather was picture perfect and warm! Lead Foot City is a really cool atmosphere with a lot to see. The highlight for me was the “burnout alley” they constructed for the Sick Week competitors to hype up fans as they left for their journey the rest of the day. Taking photos of cars with trailers attached while doing a burnout was AWESOME!!
After soaking up the weather at Lead Foot City, it was back to another hotel and get ready for racing on Thursday at Bradenton. Everyone knew that Thursday was going to be a real challenge before even going to bed. There was rain forecasted overnight and the temps were only going to reach the mid 50’s on Thursday. Woke up and it was still raining. I headed to the track and parked with Remy from XS Power at their trailer and just waited. Wade Rich was doing everything he could to get the track ready for competition. Cars were finally able to start going down around lunchtime, which is hours after the usual start time for Sick Week. I’m not sure I have ever experienced wind like that at the track that just wouldn’t calm down at all. It was a skin blistering wind that cut right though ya.
The decision, which I think we all agree was the right one, and we all saw coming was that the faster classes would not be competing at Bradenton due to the unsafe wind conditions. The track was there, but there was no way that you could safely send any high horsepower cars, especially ones that would require the use of chutes to slow down. It was just too damn dangerous. I know it was disappointing for the fans, and I hope the fans realize that it’s just as disappointing for the drivers as well. They are there and they want to put on a show for you.
Once the call was made that the top cars would not be running I immediately headed out and towards Orlando. I was excited for Orlando as the weather was supposed to be better and I always have had a fondness for that track. It certainly didn’t disappoint either. Orlando had these cars going and going. With the exception of a car meets wall incident and an incident where the transmission and driveshaft decided to take a different route on Devin Vanderhoof’s brand new Mustang build, which was on pace for an overall title, the day went smooth.
That brought us to the final day of the event. Sunshine was out and the track was there. This was the best on track weather we had all damn week. Being able to walk around in shorts and relax was nice. This was also the chance for the competitors still left standing to let it all hang out if they wanted to. While I didn’t see anyone shooting for the moon, I certainly saw plenty trying to secure a top three finish in their respective class. Down below I have posted all the final results from 2026 Sick Week. I am already looking forward to 2027 and kicking my season off with Sick Week!!
Sick Week 2026 Winners
S - Sick Bulls Eye Challenge Day 1 (Gainesville Raceway) Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Bullseye ET Spread R/T
1 S 389 Rick Doern - 2020 Ford Mustang GT 32 10.325 0.5 0.183
S - Sick Bulls Eye Challenge Day 2 (South Georgia Motorsports Park) Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Bullseye ET Spread R/T
1 S 389 Rick Doern - 2020 Ford Mustang GT 48 10.500 2.0 0.432
S - Sick Bulls Eye Challenge Day 3 (Bradenton Motorsports Park) Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Bullseye ET Spread R/T
1 S 299 Joe Aquino - 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 24 12.244 0.4 0.526
S - Sick Bulls Eye Challenge Day 4 (Orlando Speed World Dragway) Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Bullseye ET Spread R/T
1 S 303 Alex Brody - 1974 Dodge Charger 26 14.280 2.0 0.335
S - Sick Bulls Eye Challenge Day 5 (Gainesville Raceway) Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Bullseye ET Spread R/T
1 S 348 Joe Leonard - 2024 Ford Mustang GT 76 10.769 0.9 0.466
R - DYO Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Min ET Max ET Spread
3 R 371 Wil Stoneburg - 1984 Ford Mustang 10.282 10.311 0.029
2 R 385 Chris Wozniak - 1973 Plymouth Barracuda 11.352 11.376 0.024
1 R 355 Jonathan Montesino - 1997 Ford Mustang 11.998 12.009 0.011
P - Pro DYO Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Min ET Max ET Spread
3 P 270 Wilfredo Blanco - 2016 Ford Mustang 8.862 8.915 0.053
2 P 257 Jimmy Rinehart - 1972 Chevrolet Nova 8.561 8.585 0.024
1 P 291 Azeem Sheikh - 1973 Chevrolet Camaro 9.250 9.257 0.007N - Sick Street Race Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 N 236 Kevin Bolger - 1987 Buick Regal 8.6518 157.773
2 N 238 Eric Burroughs - 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 8.5975 153.865
1 N 231 Brian Acton - 1970 Chevrolet Nova 8.5575 160.365
M - Street Race 275 Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 M 218 Matt Lamphier - 1991 Mazda Miata 8.5480 157.343
2 M 210 Dan Dinan - 1979 Chevrolet Malibu 8.5305 162.320
1 M 227 Randy Seward - 1991 Ford Mustang 8.5138 162.143
L - Gassers vs Hot Rods vs Beetles Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 L 198 James Holth - 1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia 11.2330 128.473
2 L 192 Ben Anderson - 1963 Volkswagen Beetle 11.0930 125.210
1 L 204 Robby Wysuph - 1964 Chevrolet Nova 8.5678 157.660
L - Gassers vs Hot Rods vs Beetles (Quickest of) Winners
Class Conforms To Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
L Gasser/A 204 Robby Wysuph - 1964 Chevrolet Nova 8.5678 157.660
L Beetle 192 Ben Anderson - 1963 Volkswagen Beetle 11.0930 125.210
K - Sick Week Freaks Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 K 182 Allison Kovalik - 1999 Dodge Dakota 10.0015 133.153
2 K 179 Rick Fletes - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 8.8543 149.890
1 K 175 Trevor Branden - 2010 Nissan GTR 7.8475 181.365
K - Sick Week Freaks (Quickest of) Winners
Class Engine Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
K 4 Cyl 173 Luis Acevedo - 1991 Toyota MR2 11.0005 155.603
K 6 Cyl 175 Trevor Branden - 2010 Nissan GTR 7.8475 181.365
K Electric - No Winner
K Rotary - No Winner
K Diesel 179 Rick Fletes - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 8.8543 149.890
J - Rowdy Radials (1/8 Mile) Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 J 161 Cole Sammartino - 1973 Chevrolet No Go Nova 5.2645 142.435
2 J 172 Andrew Wittman - 1989 Ford Mustang 5.0483 140.913
1 J 168 Tanner Stover - 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle 4.7388 159.405I - Naturally Aspirated - Small Block Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 I 326 Robert Green - 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass 10.2390 132.425
2 I 246 Tim Lorenz - 1979 Chevrolet Malibu 9.7980 136.373
1 I 157 Jason Tabscott - 1970 Chevrolet Camaro 8.5498 151.835
I - Naturally Aspirated - Small Block (Quickest of) Winners
Class Conforms To Engine Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
I Heavy Metal (Modified) Sm Block 157 Jason Tabscott - 1970 Chevrolet Camaro 8.5498 151.835
I Street Race (Street Race) Sm Block 246 Tim Lorenz - 1979 Chevrolet Malibu 9.7980 136.373
H - Naturally Aspirated Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 H 37 Rick Maguire - 1968 Chevrolet Nova 9.5043 143.743
2 H 142 Keith Seaman - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 9.4480 140.550
1 H 135 Randy Fuller - 1988 Ford Mustang 7.7203 174.938
H - Naturally Aspirated (Quickest of) Winners
Class Conforms To Engine Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
H Heavy Metal (Modified) Big Block 135 Randy Fuller - 1988 Ford Mustang 7.7203 174.938
H Street Race (Street Race) Big Block 142 Keith Seaman - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle 9.4480 140.550
G - Stick Shift Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 G 110 Chris Hein - 1933 Factory Five Coupe 8.8273 136.848
2 G 108 Bob Gruber - 1994 Ford Mustang 8.5683 162.265
1 G 111 Darin Hendricks - 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra 8.2355 173.813
G - Stick Shift (Quickest of) Winners
Class Engine Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
G Non-V8 (6 Cyl) 103 Damon Elff - 1995 Toyota Supra 9.3695 155.425
G Naturally Aspirated (Sm Block) 126 James Short - 2020 Chevrolet Camaro 11.1483 131.780
F - Super Street Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 F 81 Jordan Boudreaux - 2002 Ford Mustang 9.4495 156.015
2 F 84 Richard Flint - 2000 Honda S2000 7.2075 203.233
1 F 79 Bradley Arnold - 1987 Buick Regal 7.1598 189.440
F - Super Street (Quickest of) Winners
Class Engine Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
F Sm Block 79 Bradley Arnold - 1987 Buick Regal 7.1598 189.440
F Big Block - No WinnerE - Pro Street Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 E 92 Lamar Swindoll - 1966 Chevrolet Nova 7.3803 184.983
2 E 67 Glenn Hunter - 1956 Chevrolet Belair 6.9683 199.420
1 E 71 Nick Rinehart - 1967 Chevrolet Nova 6.8138 204.568
D - Modified Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 D 56 Reno Lau - 1963 Chevrolet Nova 8.3633 158.858
2 D 48 Chris Benoure - 1988 Ford Mustang 7.1885 193.733
1 D 22 Val Morris - 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 7.1510 199.568
C - Heavy Metal Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 C 44 Kevin Schweizer - 1980 Mercury Zephyr Wagon 7.8870 177.115
2 C 155 Jamie Doller - 1971 Chevrolet Camaro 7.6565 177.985
1 C 47 Alan Whitaker - 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 7.0013 207.243
B - Unlimited Iron Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 B 17 David Armentrout - 1967 Chevrolet Chevy II 6.9358 201.220
2 B 25 Alex Taylor - 1955 Chevrolet 210 6.8685 211.840
1 B 14 Les Smith - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro 6.8608 211.650
A - Unlimited Winners
Place Class Car # Winner Final ET Final MPH
3 A 3 Timothy Blythe - 1964 Triumph Spitfire 7.3188 193.565
2 A 5 Nick Cryer - 1933 Ford Coupe 7.2833 191.888
1 A 10 Niklas Linrin - 1967 Pontiac Firebird 6.4905 206.505
Sick Ward Awards
Sick Show Car – Joshua McCoy – 1979 Ford Bronco
Sickest Show Car – Stephen Brant – 1934 Ford Coupe
Spirit of Sick Ward – Bill and Nick Dwyer (Not Here)
Sickest of the Sick - Blake Billings
Quickest Overall
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 A 10 Niklas Linrin - 1967 Pontiac Firebird Chevrolet Big Block 6.4905 206.505
2 E 71 Nick Rinehart - 1967 Chevrolet Nova Chevrolet Big Block 6.8138 204.568
3 B 14 Les Smith - 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Big Block 6.8608 211.650Quickest Without Trailer
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 A 401 Joshua Chechak - 1972 Plymouth Barrcuda Chevrolet Sm Block Turbo 7.5650 170.813
Quickest Chevrolet & GMC
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 E 71 Nick Rinehart - 1967 Chevrolet Nova Chevrolet Big Block 6.8138 204.568
Quickest Ford/Lincoln/Mercury
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 B 2 Andres Arnover - 1963 Ford Fairlane Coupe Ford Big Block 7.4608 186.930
Quickest Pontiac
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 M 109 Richard Guido - 1965 Pontiac GTO Pontiac Big Block 8.5673 165.525
Quickest Mopar
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 P 243 Nick Diienno - 1966 Dodge Coronet 440 Dodge Sm Block 9.6115 145.798
Quickest Buick
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 K 185 Ryan Palmer - 1987 Buick Grand National Buick 6 Cyl 10.3025 125.933
Quickest Oldsmobile
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 A 266 Raj Ahuja - 1967 Oldsmobile 442 Oldsmobile Big Block Nitrous 11.6293 124.413
Quickest AMC
Place Class Car # Winner Engine Make Engine Final ET Final MPH
1 F 59 Bill Moss - 1971 AMC Gremlin Chevrolet Sm Block Turbo 11.1600 141.105