MISSION, B.C. (September 5, 2010) –The team from Mission Raceway Park combined for a 63 point total which was more than enough to take home their second NHRA Summit Racing Series Northwest Division Team Championship and their first since 1997. Portland Int’l Raceway took home second place with 54 points and Pacific Raceways, Kent, Wash., rounded out the top three with 46. Surprisingly, the home track won without a single racer advancing to a final round.
Derrick Jackson, McMinnville, Ore., just missed a rare double as he advanced to the finals in both the Sportsman class and the Sport Compact class. Running for Woodburn Dragstrip, Jackson won the Sport Compact class holding off David Meimann, Middleton, Idaho, (Firebird Raceway) but fell to John Floyd Jr. out of Gresham, Ore., and Portland Int’l Raceway in the final of the Sportsman category. Floyd covered the quarter mile in 12.835 seconds at 100.20 mph to narrowly beat Jackson with a 12.848, 97.03. Jackson was also the runner up in Sportsman on Saturday in the Race of Champions competition.
Joining his Portland Int’l Raceway teammate in the winner’s circle was Super Pro racer Mike Nicholson, Vancouver, Wash., who ran 9.373 seconds at 129.64 mph in beating Danny Wargnier, Keizer, Ore., (Woodburn Dragstrip) in their final round match up.
In the Pro category it was Andy Closkey taking home the trophy to Quesnel, B.C., and Saskatchewan Int’l Raceway knocking out Patrick Neveu, Yakima, Wash., (Renegade Raceway) while Jacob Havens won for Pacific Raceways in the Bike/Sled class against Madras Dragstrip racer Cody Cumpton, Vancouver, Wash.
The team from Bremerton Raceway was awarded the annual Team Spirit Award.
The following are final results from the NHRA Northwest Division Summit Racing Series Finals at Mission Raceway Park:
Super Pro
Mike Nicholson, Vancouver, Wash., Portland Int'l Raceway, 9.373, 129.64 def.
Danny Wargnier, Keizer, Ore., Woodburn Dragstrip., 10.932, 100.24.
Pro
Andy Closkey, Quesnel, B.C., Saskatchewan Int'l Raceway, 10.303, 117.27 def.
Patrick Neveu, Yakima, Wash., Renegade Raceway, 9.846, 136.13.
Sportsman
John Floyd Jr, Gresham, Ore., Portland Int'l Raceway, 12.835, 100.20 def.
Derrick Jackson, McMinnville, Ore., Woodburn Dragstrip, 12.848, 97.03.
Bike/Sled
Jacob Havens, Mill Creek, Wash., Pacific Raceways, 8.888, 147.63 def.
Cody Cumpton, Vancouver, Wash., Madras Dragstrip, 9.512, 144.83.
Sport Compact
Derrick Jackson, McMinnville, Ore., Woodburn Dragstrip, 18.804, 64.40 def.
David Meimann, Middleton, Idaho, Firebird Raceway, 14.215, 98.08.
Team Championship Final Points Standings
Mission Raceway Park: 63
Portland Int'l Raceway: 54
Pacific Raceways: 46
Woodburn Dragstrip: 41
Bremerton Raceway: 39
Renegade Raceway: 25
Madras Dragstrip: 24
Firebird Raceway: 20
Saskatchewan Int'l Raceway: 18
Medicine Hat Drag Strip: 14
Spokane County Raceway: 8
Walla Walla Drag Strip: 6
Champion Raceway: 4
SATURDAY
Herbst, Ward heading to Pomona and National Championship
MISSION, B.C. (September 4, 2010) – Shawn Herbst and Jack Ward grabbed possibly the biggest wins of their racing careers today in the Race of Champions event at the NHRA Northwest Division Summit Racing Series Finals. Herbst and Ward, along with Gordon Cady Jr. and Kevin Brennan will now advance to the Summit Series National Championship where they will battle the champions from the other six NHRA Divisions at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in November in a $5,000 to win, winner take all format for each class.
Herbst of Selah Wash., and running for Renegade Raceway drove to an 8.908 second 148.00 mph win against Cody Haitt, Boise, Idaho, (Firebird Raceway) in Super Pro. Ward, Bremerton, Wash., gave the team form Bremerton Raceway a reason to celebrate as he defeated Thomas Jackson III, Carlton, Ore., running for Woodburn Dragstrip in the Pro class. Bremerton Raceway also won the Track Mangers Challenge edging out Woodburn Dragstrip and Mission Raceway who finished second and third respectively.
Vancouver, Wash., racer Cady (Portland Int’l Raceway) held on in the Sportsman class, downing Derrick Jackson with a lap of 12.852 seconds at 101.58 mph. Jackson, McMinnville, Ore., was the second racer out of the Woodburn Dragstrip camp to reach a final round. In the Bike/Sled category, local favorite Brennan form Chilliwack, B.C., and Mission Raceway Park ousted Dave Toth, Medicine Hat, Alb., (Medicine Hat Dragstrip) with an 8.318 second lap at 151.23 mph.
In Friday’s opening day action, the Gambler’s Shootout was contested with Mike Goad, Anacortes, Wash., and running for host track Mission Raceway, taking the win in the Electronics class when final round opponent Aaron Steinkey, Medicine Hat, Alb., (Medicine Hat Dragstrip) fouled handing Goad the win. Goad ran it out anyway posting an 8.898 second pass at 148.19 mph. Also winning on day one were Nicholas Shepherd, Tigard, Ore., (Woodburn Dragstrip) over Shalon Domme, Spokane, Wash., (Renegade Raceways) in the No Electronics class and Bremerton Raceway runner Taren Smith, Puyallup, Wash., who held off Shannon O’Leary, Ridgefield, Wash., and Team Coos Bay, in the Jr. Dragster Shootout.
Racing continues Sunday at 8:30 a.m. with eliminations in all classes (Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Bike/Sled, Sport Compact, High School, and Jr. Dragster) for the Summit Racing Series Northwest Division Championship. Gates open at 8 a.m.
The following are Saturday’s Race of Champions final results from the NHRA Summit Racing Series Northwest Division Finals at Mission Raceway Park:
Super Pro
Shawn Herbst, Selah, Wash., Renegade Raceway, Chevelle, 8.908, 148.00 def.
Cody Haitt, Boise, Idaho, Firebird Raceway, Davis, 7.353, 163.99.
Pro
Jack Ward, Bremerton, Wash., Bremerton Raceway, 10.101, 131.61 def. Thomas Jackson III, Carlton, Ore., Woodburn Dragstrip, foul.
Sportsman
Gordon Cady Jr, Vancouver, Wash., Portland Int'l Raceway, 12.852, 101.58 def.
Derrick Jackson, McMinnville, Ore., Woodburn Dragstrip, 12.798, 96.73.
Bike/Sled
Kevin Brennan, Chilliwack, B.C., Mission Raceway Park, 8.318, 151.23 def.
Dave Toth, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Medicine Hat Drag Strip, 10.924, 114.85.
High School
Jesse Neveu, Yakima, Wash., Renegade Raceways, 15.907, 78.76 def.
Katelyn Kruk, Abbotsford, B.C., Mission Raceway Park, 14.680, 91.19.
Junior Lightning
Taren Smith, Puyallup, Wash., Bremerton Raceway, 8.057, 76.58 def.
Shannon O'Leary, Ridgefield, Wash., Coos Bay Speedway, 7.916, 80.95.
Junior Thunder
Chandler Steen, Idaho Falls, Idaho, Firebird Raceway, 10.560, 59.20 def.
Devin Lewis, Lake Tapps, Wash., Bremerton Raceway, 8.980, 71.69.
Final Points Standings for the Track Managers Challenge
Bremerton Raceway: 31
Woodburn Dragstrip: 29
Mission Raceway Park: 27
Firebird Raceway: 24
Medicine Hat Drag strip: 23
Portland Int'l Raceway: 23
Pacific Raceways: 20
Renegade Raceway: 18
Spokane County Raceway: 9
Madras Dragstrip: 8
Coos Bay Speedway: 4
Lakeview Dragstrip: 3
Saskatchewan Int'l Raceway: 2
Champion Raceway: 1
EVENT PREVIEW
MISSION, B.C. – NHRA’s top bracket racers from tracks across the Northwest division will be at Mission Raceway Park to square off in head-to-head competition at the NHRA Summit Racing Series Northwest Division Finals, Sept. 3-5. Top points earning drivers in seven classes will be on hand to compete for team and individual honors. Racers in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle/Snowmobile, Sport Compact, High School and Jr. Dragster will run in the event.
Gates at Mission Raceway will open at 8 a.m. each day. Time trials will start Friday morning at 9 and continue Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Eliminations will start Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
Saturday’s action will also feature the Race of Champions where the best of the best in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile will compete for top honors and a chance to compete for a national championship at the NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Pomona Raceway in Calif., in November. They’ll run against the winners from NHRA’s other six divisions for a $5,000 winner-take-all purse.
Mission Raceway Park is located 10 miles north of Sumas, Wash., on Highway 11. For more information call the track, (604) 826-6315, or visit www.missionraceway.com.
SUMMIT RACING SERIES NORTHWEST DIVISION FINALS: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Summit Racing Series Northwest Division Finals, where top drivers from NHRA member tracks across the Northwest division compete in seven classes for individual and team honors. Competing classes are: Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle/Snowmobile, High School, Sport Compact and two categories of Jr. Dragster. The Race of Champions, a race within a race where the top points earners from each participating track run head-to-head for individual honors, will run on Saturday. Winners of the Race of Champions 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: Mission Raceway Park, Mission, B.C. Track is located 10 miles north of Sumas, Wash., on Highway 11.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, September 3-5, 2010.
SCHEDULE: Schedule for the Summit Racing Series Northwest Division Finals:
FRIDAY, Sept. 3 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Time trials begin at 9 a.m.
SATURDAY, Sept. 4 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final time trials begin at 8:30 a.m.
Race of Champions is slated for 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 5 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 8:30 a.m.
PURSE: The Summit E.T. Racing Series competitors in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Motorcycle and Sport Compact will compete for cash awards of more than $15,000.
The winners of the Race of Champions in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile 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 competing in the Finals and the winner in each class will receive an additional $5,000.
Participants in the High School and Junior categories compete for trophies.
2009 EVENT WINNERS: Firebird Raceway, team champion; Chris Jaggers, Super Pro; Robby Hornby, Pro; Adam DePeel, Sportsman; Mark Adams, Motorcycle; Gerald Patzer, Sport Compact
FEATURES: More than 500 drivers in five racing categories: Super Pro (cars running 7.00 seconds to 11.99 seconds), Pro (9.00-13.99), Sportsman (12.80 and slower), Motorcycles (7.50 and slower), High School (11.00 and slower), Sport Compact (7.50 and slower), Jr. Thunder (Ages 13 to 17) and Jr. Lightning (Ages 8 to 12)