CRAMPTON, HAGAN, ENDERS, SMITH WINNERS AT THUNDER VALLEY
Matt Hagan collected his first career victory at what’s considered his home track at the Bristol Dragway on Sunday, as he joined Richie Crampton, Erica Enders, and Rickie Smith in the winners circle.
NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals
Matt Hagan hoisted the Wally in Funny Car at the Bristol at the Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday after defeating teammate Ron Capps in a close 4.16 to 4.18 final round bout. In Top Fuel, Richie Crampton won for the third time in 2015 over a slowing Larry Dixon, while Erica Enders edged out Chris McGaha in a close 6.685 to 6.689 match. And in Pro Modified, Rickie Smith won a battle of nitrous cars when opponent and top qualifier Rob Rahaim went red in the final.
Top Fuel: Richie Crampton
Funny Car: Matt Hagan
Pro Stock: Erica Enders
Pro Modified: Rickie Smith
Top Fuel Harley: Tommy Grimes
National Hot Rod Reunion
The Beech Bend Raceway Park in Kentucky once again played host to the 13th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion over the weekend, and despite some battles with Mother Nature, the popular event concluded under the lights as planned on Saturday evening. In Nostalgia Top Fuel, Tony Bartone’s long win streak was snapped in the final round when he had to pedal his mount, allowing Bill Dunlap to streak to a 5.73-second win. In AA/Fuel Altered, Kyle Hough defeated Ron Hope by a 6.59 to 6.83 count, while the Junior Fuel crown went to Odie Coker with his winning 7.27 in the final.
Nostalgia Top Fuel: Bill Dunlap
Junior Fuel: Odie Coker
Nostalgia AA/Gas: Junior Ward
Classic AA/Gas: Mickey Hale
7.0 Pro: Jeff Sanborn
7.50 Pro: Wayne Sears
Gas Eliminator: Nick Dishon
Modified Eliminator: Sam Yeater
Comp Eliminator: Don Loechel
Geezer Gassers: Gary Raber
Hot Rod Eliminator: Kenny Pease
Top Stock: Tommy Mattingly
Nostalgia Super Stock: Bruce Sammet
IHRA Presidents Cup Nationals
The IHRA’s President Cup Nationals at the Maryland International Raceway was cut short by rain showers over the weekend, forcing the postponement of the remainder of Nitro Jam eliminations to the next event in Michigan in August. All sportsman categories with the exception of Top Sportsman were run to completion, with Brian Kumkowski (Top Dragster) and Al Ross (Super Stock) leading the winners list.
Top Dragster: Brian Kumkowski
Super Stock: Al Ross
Stock: Michelle Martel
Quick Rod: Jacob Otto
Super Rod: Joseph Cepelka
Hot Rod: Casey Cole
11.50: Doug Wynkoop
Junior Masters: Logan Hubbell
Junior Advanced: Mia Schultz
Junior Beginner: Gayge Farrell
NHRA Division 4
In a battle of dragsters, Craig Bourgeois came out on the winning end in the Competition Eliminator finale on opponent Joey Tanksley’s foul start at the NHRA Lucas Oil Series South Central Division race at the Royal Purple Raceway in Houston. In Super Stock, Harvey Emmons III strapped a .003 light on Slate Cummings in the final and carried it to a double breakout victory, while Brett Candies’ foul start in the Stock finale handed the win to Austin Williams.
Competition Eliminator: Craig Bourgeois
Super Stock: Harvey Emmons III
Stock: Austin Williams
Super Comp: Christian Patton
Super Gas: Travis Salter
Super Street: Ray Dew
Top Dragster: William Swann
Top Sportsman: Jim Thorp
Sportsman Motorcycle: Robert Sanders
NHRA Division 5
James Stevens collected Top Alcohol Dragster honors at the NHRA West Central Division NHRA Regional/Divisional at the Bandimere Speedway on Sunday, defeating a slowing Joey Severance in the final round with a 5.72. John Lombardo Jr. defeated Annie Whiteley in a strange Top Alcohol Funny Car final when both drivers were forced to pedal, ending in a 7.48 to 8.04 count, and Clint Sallee won in Competition Eliminator with a 7.00-second rout of Will Hatcher.
Top Alcohol Dragster: James Stevens
Top Alcohol Funny Car: John Lombardo Jr.
Competition Eliminator: Clint Sallee
Super Stock: Tyler Wudarczyk
Stock: Jim Hughes
Super Comp: A.J. Percival
Super Gas: Michael Miller
Super Street: Joey Horan
Top Dragster: Phil Unruh
Top Sportsman: Dave Slatten
Sportsman Motorcycle: Eddie Golson
Pro Fuel Harley: Dennis Fisher
Pro Gas Harley: Lance Bonham
Screamin’ Eagle Performance Harley: Eddie Golson
Draggin Bagger Harley: Darrell Schwalbach
Hot Street Harley: William Rowe
Street Pro Harley: Lanny Fore