2026 Locked-In (Race #4 of 5)
Updated: Sep 6
Maher Clinches CIFCA Championship at Famoso
CIFCA’s fourth race of the season brought six Funny Cars to Famoso Dragstrip for the Locked-In Series—and the racing did not disappoint! Alvarado made the longest haul and won the Control Cables Longest tow award.
Jim Maher earned the System 1 #1 Qualifier Award with a 7.110 on the 7.10 index. James Maher qualified second with a 7.153, followed by Ken Breneisen’s 7.161, Rick Alvarado’s 7.294 and Chris Bates’ 7.459. Kevin Sarginson qualified 5th ran and under the index with a 7.086, which became a 7.314 after CIFCA’s two-tenths breakout penalty.
With the top two qualifiers receiving first-round byes, Jim and James Maher lined up for an exhibition pass—and ran identical 7.188 elapsed times! James reached the finish line first thanks to a .019 reaction time against Jim’s .056.
Ken Breneisen was scheduled to face Kevin Sarginson, but a broken oil-pump bypass left Breneisen with only about 20 pounds of oil pressure. The team wisely shut the car off, giving Sarginson a solo. Kevin made it count with a terrific .013 light and a 7.130, earning both the Enderle Best Reaction Time and CP-Carrillo Best Package awards.
Rick Alvarado then defeated Chris Bates with a 7.137 to Bates’ weekend-best 7.295.
The semifinals began around 10 p.m. Saturday under the lights—and produced two fantastic races.
James Maher left first against Alvarado, .025 to .073, and needed every bit of that advantage. Alvarado charged hard with a quicker 7.105 at 191.77 mph, but James’ 7.151 at 179.96 held on by just .0022 second—approximately six inches at the finish line!
In the other semifinal, Sarginson grabbed a big starting-line advantage with a .080 light against Jim Maher’s uncharacteristic .141. Kevin led until nearly 1,200 feet, when Jim charged past to win with a 7.102 over Sarginson’s 7.190. The margin was only .027 second, or roughly seven feet.
That set up an all–Good Vibrations Motorsports final between Jim and James Maher. Jim deep-staged and gained a slight advantage at the tree, leaving with a .061 light to James’ .064. At the stripe, however, James’ 7.150 narrowly defeated Jim’s 7.156. The margin of victory was just .003 second—approximately 10 inches! The victory improved James’ season record against Jim to 4–0 this season and officially clinched the 2026 CIFCA Championship. After a runner-up finish at the season opener, James followed with three consecutive victories at Funny Car Fever, the Battle at the Beach and the Locked-In Series.
CIFCA will close its 2026 season at the California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports, October 23–25 at Famoso Dragstrip.
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