VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads-Up Mafia “Halfway Heater” Results
Last Updated on June 22, 2026 by WWTR
The VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads-Up Mafia “Halfway Heater” rolled through World Wide Technology Raceway with plenty of action on the evening of June 20. Perfect weather for a Saturday night in June, what more could one ask for.
In the Gangsta 28s class, it was Tyler Hutchins of Wood River, IL taking the win over Ryan Dunn of O’Fallon, MO in a very close final of 4.60 to 4.62. Hutchins had a very minimal reaction time advantage and was able to just outrun Dunn in one of the closest finals of the evening.
The chip draw for the Small Tire Limited class drew the 4.90 chip, so some racers had their work cut out for them with it being the faster index. In another strong showing of cars, it was DeSoto, MO’s Corey Phillips taking the victory over Jeff Long and his fox body. Phillips drilled the tree with a .008 light and that was enough to hang on for the win over Long, who’s 4.93 was closer to the 4.90 cap than Phillips 5.00.
In the Outlaw Street 8.60 class, it was Luke Welmon, who last won the Street Warrior class at the May 30 event, defeating 2025 Streetcar Champion, Kyle “Gator” Cibrowski. Gator jumped the tree on the starting line, automatically handing Welmon his second Mafia victory of the 2026 Season (even if it was in the faster class). Nevertheless, Welmon had an impressive .006 light and an 8.65 at 156.86 MPH was going to be hard to beat in the final round.
Next class, Street Warrior 9.50, it was Dan Harris Jr. taking the victory over Roger McCallister. Harris had the reaction time advantage and never looked back to easily take the victory.
In Real Street 10.75, it was Geoff Dugopolski’s ’66 Malibu taking the victory over Rodger Thompson’s ’02 Camaro. Thompson ran under the 10.75 cap due to a late reaction time trying to get to the finish line first, allowing for Dugopolski to earn the victory.
In the 6.0 Index class, it was Edwardsville, IL’s Cody White taking the victory over St Ann, MO’s Jeff Hatcher. White ran a 6.014 to Hatcher’s 6.012, but White had the reaction time advantage and was able to turn on the win light.
In the 7.0 Index class, it was a father/son final for the second time, and the third final round appearance for Dennis Pearson. Also, for the third time this season, it was Dennis Pearson taking the victory and remaining undefeated by defeating his father and local St. Louis legend, Steve Pearson. Both had identical .031 reaction times off the starting line, but Dennis ran closer to the 7.0 Index with a 7.021 to defeat Steve’s 7.040 and remain undefeated.
As always, the VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads-Up Mafia would like to thank all of their sponsor who help contribute to additional cash payouts to all of the racers on top of class buy-ins: Mifflin Racing, McCrossan Motorsports, Integrity Tattoo, Carter Motorsports, Xtreme Detail & Tint, HPJ Performance, AC Towing, CBI Street Cars, B&B Kustoms, Neighborhood Service, Arod’s Body Shop, Thomure’s Performance, Superior Home Remodeling, Keizer Racing Wheels, Mid Mo Drywall, Midwest Waffle House, Street Team Automotive, Detroit Battery Company, Wick’s Aircraft & Motorsports, Vallow Flooring, Weber Chevrolet, and Weber Ford. World Wide Technology Raceway would also like to thank Chris & Amber McCrossan and Jeremy and Jami Mifflin for all their support and organizing of the VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads-Up Mafia Classes.
Joining the VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads Up Mafia for this event, was the Team Z Motorsports Coyote Stock Shootout. With a solid showing and racers from all over the Midwest, and even one as far away as Canada, it was Sullivan, MO’s own Aaron Worstell defeating Zionsville, IN’s Tim Donathen in the final. The wheel-standing action had produced tight racing all day, and the final was no exception. Both drivers were nearly identical on the line, but Worstell was able to run quicker with a 9.82 to defeat Donathen’s 9.89 and earn the victory at World Wide Technology Raceway in the Coyote Stock Class. The Coyote Stock group would like to thank all of the sponsors who made this class and event possible as part of the Mafia event, Schicker Auto Group, Kelly Kleen, HPJ Performance, GS Performance, Auto Air Garage, Stickergeek Graphics, and St. Louis Ponds & Waterfalls.
For the Plumbers & Gas Fitters Union Local #360 Presents Phil’s Plumbing Street ET motorcycle class, Janie Palm went back-to-back in her third final round appearance of the season by defeating rising star Jaylen Burris. Burris had a slight reaction time advantage, but Palm ran dead on her 9.14 dial with a 9.148 to claim back-to-back victories in the class.
In the Garrison Security Group 8.90/9.20 Challenge powered by L2 Racing, it was Scott Leonard taking the win in his second final round appearance in a row over Brandon “Bean” Childress (also his second final of the year). Scotty, representing the 8.90 side, ran closer to his 8.90 index with an 8.92 over Bean’s 9.30 on the 9.20 Index. Reaction times were almost even off the line, so it all came down to ET at the finish line. The RPM Specialties #1 qualifier was David Fortune, with an 8.906 to claim the #1 qualifier prize. This class would also like to thank J&J Designs for being a supporter of the class.
And finally in the lineup, the Thoroughbred Realty Group 7.90 Index Jr. class, saw Cayden Duell defeating Cohen Hale. Reaction times off the starting line were almost identical, but Duell ran closer to the index to take the victory. The TRG 7.90 Index Jr. class would like to thank their sponsors for supporting the class: Phine Designs Auto Accessories & Tint, Mid Mo Drywall, UpRight Construction, King Coatings, Full Service Automotive, and Quicktime Motorsports.
Next up for the VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads-Up Mafia and Bikes Series is the “Ruthless Rumble,” Saturday night, July 18. The action is sure to be exciting for the next one, so be sure to mark it on your calendar and hope to see everyone there.
