Sunday
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Oct. 4, 2009) – Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., captured its second Team Championship in as many years at this weekend’s NHRA Pacific Division Summit Racing Series Finals at Firebird Int’l Raceway. The racers from Infineon racked up 74 points for the win over host track Firebird Int’l and Speedworld Dragstrip, Northwest Phoenix, Ariz., who tied for second with 69 points each.
Infineon was led by Greg Harrison of Livermore, Calif., who won seven rounds in advancing to the final in Super Pro before falling to Joe Glenwinkel, Poway, Calif., racing for Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway in his ’90 dragster. Glenwinkel raced to a 7.363 second, 184.32 mph lap over Harrison.
LikeGlenwinkel, in was an eight-round, eight-win light day for Joe Kidd in the Pro class to take the trophy. The Marana, Ariz., resident (Southwestern Int’l Raceway) drove his ’73 Nova past Sacramento Raceway runner Jake Guadagnolo, Linden, Calif., and his ’68 Nova. Kidd took the early lead with a holeshot starting line advantage and held on for the win.
The final two classes saw teammates matching up against each other with Leroy Duran Jr., and Don Graham, both of Firebird Int’l Raceway squaring off in the Sportsman Final with Duran, Sun City, Ariz., taking the win with a 12.008 second run to Graham, Arizona City, Ariz., with a 12.100 second pass. In the Motorcycle class it was a pair from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway doing battle as Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, rode his ’95 GSXR to victory. Newport won over Gary Oaks, Las Vegas, on a ’78 Kawasaki.
The following are Sunday's final results from the 2009 NHRA Summit Racing Series Pacific Division Finals:
SUPER PRO
Joe Glenwinkel, Poway, Calif., '90 Spitzer, Auto Club Dragway @ Auto Club Speedway, 7.363, 184.32
def.
Greg Harrison, Livermore, Calif., '04 Harrison, Infineon Raceway, 8.275, 157.08.
PRO
Joe Kidd, Marana, Ariz., '73 Nova, Southwestern Int’l Raceway, 11.056, 119.33 def.
Jake Guadagnolo,
Linden, Calif., '68 Nova, Sacramento Raceway, 10.954, 119.97.
SPORTSMAN
Leroy Duran Jr, Sun City, Ariz., Firebird International Raceway, '71 Dart, 12.008, 108.51 def.
Don
Graham, Arizona City, Ariz., '71 Maverick, Firebird International Raceway, 12.100, 110.36.
BIKE
Rick Newport, West Valley, Utah, '95 GSXR, The Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 8.716, 140.37
def.
Gary Oaks, Las Vegas, '78 Kawasaki, The Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 9.828, 132.63.
Final 2009 Summit Racing Series Pacific Division Team Points
Points Track Name
74 Infineon Raceway
69 Firebird International Raceway Park
69 Speedworld Dragstrip
55 The Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway
55 Auto Club Dragway @ Auto Club Speedway
51 Auto Club Famoso Raceway
51 Southwestern International Raceway
37 Barona 1/8th Mile Dragstrip
21 Sacramento Raceway Park
20 Albuquerque International Raceway
16 Toyota Speedway @ Irwindale
11 Top Gun Raceway
4 Samoa Drag Strip
Saturday
Cannavo, Kadar lead winners; advance to National Championship
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Oct. 3, 2009) – Carl Cannavo was all but perfect in taking the win in the NHRA Summit Racing Series Pacific Division Race of Champions today at Firebird Int’l Raceway in Super Pro. Cannavo, North Las Vegas, Nev., running for The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, saved his best race for the final, and needed it against Chuck Hawk Jr. who was near perfect himself. Cannavo ran right on his dial-in at 7.870, 174.64 mph along with a 0.002 second reaction time against Hawk, Tucson, Ariz., (Southwestern Int’l Raceway) who had a great 0.004 reaction time himself and ran just three-thousandths off his dial.
In Pro it was Tibor Kadar, Peoria, Ariz., out running Don Morris. Kadar, running on the Speedworld Dragstrip team, was involved in a run for the NHRA Lucas Oil National Championship a few years ago and will be looking for an NHRA Summit Series National Championship next month in Pomona with the win today. Kadar drove his ’67 GTO to an 11.136 second pass at 110.88 mph to Morris’ 11.991, 112.87 out of Roseville, Calif., and Sacramento Raceway.
Joining Cannavo and Kadar was Robert Grangrade in the Sportsman class winning over Mitchell Gately. Grangrade, also of Speedworld Dragstrip, put his ’67 Mustang in the winner’s circle beating Gately, Petaluma, Calif., (Infineon Raceway) and his ’64 Nova.
Augustine Herrera, La Mirada, Calif., (Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway) was late off the starting line in his final round but was near perfect on the rest of his run in beating Kahea Woods, N. Las Vegas, Nev., in the Motorcycle class. Herrera ran 8.693 on an 8.69 dial in at 149.71 mph.
Herrera, along with Cannavo, Kadar, and Grangrade will all advance to the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., and go head to head with the winner’s from NHRA other six divisions for the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship.
In the High School category it was a pair of teammates from Auto Club Dragway with Daniel Sweitzer, Menifee, Calif., taking the win over Emiley Swanson, Yucaipa, Calif., with a 12.733 second pass at 104.48 mph. Swanson gave it up on the line when she left early by 0.002 seconds on a red light giving the win to Sweitzer.
Gates at Firebird Int’l Raceway open at 7 a.m. on Sunday with racing beginning at 8 a.m. for final elimination rounds and the crowning of the Pacific Division Summit Racing Series event winners in all five classes. The track is located at 20000 S. Maricopa Road. Take I-10 to Maricopa Road, exit #162. For more information call the track, (602) 268-0200.
The following are Saturday's final results from the 2009 NHRA Summit Racing Series Pacific Division Race of Champions:
SUPER PRO
Carl Cannavo, No Las Vegas, Nev., '06 Yancer, The Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7.870, 174.64 def.
Chuck Hawk Jr, Tucson, Ariz., '96 Delarm, Southwestern International Raceway, 7.383, 179.56.
PRO
Tibor Kadar, Peoria, Ariz., '67 Gto, Speedworld Dragstrip, 11.136, 110.88 def.
Don Morris, Roseville, Calif., Sacramento Raceway, '73 Camaro, 11.991, 112.87.
SPORTSMAN
Robert Grangrade, Phoenix, Ariz., '67 Mustang, Speedworld Dragstrip, 13.004, 89.09 def.
Mitchell Gately, Petaluma, Calif., '64 Nova, Infineon Raceway, 12.165, 109.55.
MOTORCYCLE
Augustine Herrera, La Mirada, Calif., '05 Hayabusa, Auto Club Dragway @ Auto Club Speedway, 8.693, 149.71 def.
Kahea Woods, No Las Vegas, Nev., '95 Gsxr 1100, The Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 9.049, 144.78.
HIGH SCHOOL
Daniel Sweitzer, Menifee, Calif., '89 Mustang, Auto Club Dragway @ Auto Club Speedway, 12.733, 104.48 def.
Emiley Swanson, Yucaipa, Calif., '71 El Camino, Auto Club Dragway @ Auto Club
Speedway, foul.
ROC TEAM POINTS
33 Auto Club Dragway @ Auto Club Speedway
29 Speedworld Dragstrip
21 Infineon Raceway
18 The Strip @ Las Vegas Motor Speedway
15 Barona 1/8th Mile Dragstrip
15 Southwestern International Raceway
14 Sacramento Raceway
13 Albuquerque Dragway
11 Firebird International Raceway
9 Toyota Speedway @ Irwindale
8 Auto Club Famoso Raceway
6 Top Gun Raceway
1 Samoa Dragstrip
Friday
NHRA Pacific Division kicks off Summit Series Division Finals
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Oct. 2, 2009) – Day one kicked off for the NHRA Pacific Division Summit Racing Series Finals at Firebird Int’l Raceway where the top bracket racers in the division are competing for both team and individual honors along with a share of more than $30,000 in purse and contingency awards.
Racers in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle/Snowmobile, and High School made time trial runs today on the quarter mile with more than 500 drivers from 15 different NHRA Member Tracks competing. Defending Champions looking to repeat are the team from Infineon Raceway for the Team Championship, Chuck Phelps (Speedworld Dragstrip) in Super Pro, Dave Varner (Infineon Raceway) in Pro, Gary Ratcliffe (Barona 1/8th Mile Dragstrip) in Sportsman, and Dustin Vagedes (Auto Club Dragway) in Motorcycle.
Saturday’s action will include final time trials along with the Race of Champions, a race within a race where the top points-earning drivers from each track square off in head-to-head competition. Race of Champion winners in the four major classes will advance to the NHRA AAA Finals in Pomona, Calif., and the chance to compete against the winner’s from NHRA other six divisions for the Summit Racing Series National Championship.
Sunday will consist of final elimination rounds and the crowning of the Pacific Division Summit Racing Series event winners in all five classes.
Gates at Firebird Int’l Raceway open at 7 a.m. each day with racing beginning at 8 a.m. The track is located at 20000 S. Maricopa Road. Take I-10 to Maricopa Road, exit #162. For more information call the track, (602) 268-0200.
Below are tracks that participate in the Southeast Division Summit Racing Series Finals:
Albuquerque National Dragway; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Auto Club Dragway at California Speedway, Fontana, California
Auto Club Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield, California
Barona 1/8th-Mile Drag Strip; El Cajon, California
Firebird International Raceway; Chandler, Arizona
Infineon Raceway; Sonoma, California
Maui Raceway Park; Wailuku, Hawaii
Redding Dragstrip; Redding, California
Sacramento Raceway Park; Sacramento, California
Samoa Dragstrip; Eureka, California
Southwestern International Raceway; Tucson, Arizona
Speedworld Dragstrip; Northwest Phoenix, Arizona
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway; Las Vegas, Nevada
Top Gun Raceway; Fallon, Nevada
Toyota Dragstrip at Irwindale; Irwindale, California
Preview
CHANDLER, Ariz. – Firebird Int’l Raceway will host the 2009 NHRA Pacific Division Summit Racing Series Finals, October 2-4. Top drivers from NHRA Member Tracks across the Pacific Division will compete in five classes for individual and team honors. The event will also feature the Race of Champions, a race within a race where the top points earning drivers from each track square off in head-to-head competition. Race of Champions winners in the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile categories will advance to a run-off against the winners from NHRA’s other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November.
More than 600 participants in the top classes will compete for cash awards of $30,600. Competitors in the High School class will earn trophies and savings bonds. Drivers who advance to the run-off in Pomona will each receive $3,500 and the winners in each class will earn another $5,000.
The squad from Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., took home the team title in 2008, garnering a win and a runner-up in final-round action. Dave Varner led the team to the title, scoring the win in Pro. The Super Pro win went to Chuck Phelps, and Gary Ratcliffe was the winner in the Sportsman class. Dustin Vagedes outlasted his fellow Motorcycle competitors.
Gates at Firebird Int’l Raceway open at 7 a.m. each day. Time trials begin at 8 a.m. Friday and continue Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Race of Champions will start at 1 p.m. Saturday and first round of eliminations will begin afterward. Eliminations will continue Sunday at 8 a.m.
Firebird Int’l Raceway is located at 20000 S. Maricopa Road. Take I-10 to Maricopa Road exit (#162). For more information call the track, (602) 268-0200, or visit www.FirebirdRaceway.com or www.NHRAdiv7.com
SUMMIT RACING SERIES PACIFIC DIVISION FINALS: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Summit Racing Series Pacific Division Finals, where top drivers from NHRA Member Tracks across the region compete in five classes for individual and team honors. The event also features the Race of Champions, a race within a race where the top points earning drivers from each track square off in head-to-head competition. Individual Race of Champions winners in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile will advance to a national run-off at the NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Pomona Raceway in Calif.
WHERE: Firebird Int’l Raceway, Chandler, Ariz. Track is located at 20000 S. Maricopa Road. Take I-10 to Maricopa Road exit (#162).
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, October 1-4, 2009.
SCHEDULE: Time trials schedule for the Pacific Division NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals:
FRIDAY, Oct. 2 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Time trials begin at 9 a.m.
SATURDAY, Oct. 3 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Final time trials are slated from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Race of Champions, a race within a race that pits the top points earning drivers from each track in head-to-head competition, will begin at 1 p.m. First round of eliminations for all NHRA Summit Racing Series competitors will begin following the Race of Champions.
SUNDAY, Oct. 4 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations continue at 8 a.m.
PURSE: The Summit E.T. Racing Series competitors in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile will compete for cash awards of $30,600. The Race of Champions winners in each category will advance to compete against winners from NHRA’s other six divisions at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November. They will each receive $3,500 for advancing to the Finals and the winner in each class in Pomona will receive an additional $5,000. Participants in the High School Eliminator compete for savings bonds and trophies.
2008 EVENT WINNERS: Infineon Raceway, team champion; Chuck Phelps (Speedworld Dragstrip), Super Pro; Dave Varner (Infineon Raceway), Pro; Gary Ratcliffe (Barona 1/8th-Mile Dragstrip), Sportsman; Dustin Vagedes (Auto Dragway), Motorcycle