The weekend provided a diverse group of winners which proves that all racers must be on top of their game to leave Thunder Valley with a trophy this week.
In Saturday's 330' Outlaw class, Amber Mahon of Chambersburg, Pa., used a .065 reaction time and a 4.378 elapsed time to defeat Ryan Medlar (Easton, Pa.) who had a faster .062 light, but a slower 4.400 E.T.
Alexandra Guido from Lake Hopatcong, N.J. collected the 7.90 Index class, using a .057 reaction with a 7.918 E.T. at 83.63 mph. Mahon, who raced her way into another final, left the line faster (.024 R.T.), but a 7.952 E.T. at 79.98 mph was not good enough to earn another trip to the winner's circle.
Wesley Mayfield from Gainesville, Ga. earned the 8.90 Index crown after his competition, A.J. Williams of Thomasville, Ga., earned a red light disqualification by leaving the starting line too soon. Mayfield broke the stage beam with a .034 R.T. and completed his run with an 8.791 E.T. at 73.99 mph. Williams ran a 9.207 E.T. at 71.32 mph.
Kieffer Simpson of Seymour won the 9.90 Index when Commerce, Ga.'s Hunter Ramsey broke. With no one in the opposing lane, Simpson left the line with a .080 light and ran a 9.473 E.T. at 66.79 mph.
Skyler Southren (Crawfordsville, Ind.) defeated Piney Flats' Victor Vanover to claim the 10.90 Index title. Southren's .089 R.T., coupled with an 11.419 E.T. at 41.70 mph, was enough to beat Vanover's .032 reaction and 11.477 E.T. at 44.58 mph.
Mitchell Seymour of Cullman, Ala. drove his dragster past Zac Barnett from Shipman, Ill. to earn the 12.90 Index win. Seymour's .161 R.T. and 12.932 E.T. at 47.09 mph was enough to oust Barnett's .252 light and 12.958 E.T. at 48.78 mph.
Sunday's action saw Kyle Smith from Laure, Ohio win the Quick 32 over Jennifer Landry of Townsend, Del. Smith used a .068 light and ran faster than his dial (4.784 on a 4.79 dial-in). Landry, however, was even faster than her dial. After leaving the line with a .075 light, she ran a 4.737 E.T. on a 4.77 dial-in.
Several other drivers celebrated from winner's circle on Sunday. Chase Mullinax of Buford, Ga. defeated Joseph Bommarito from Springfield, Ill. to claim the 15-17 year old division. Alex Tritt (13-14 year old division) from Picayone, Miss., Megan Culbert (10-12 year old division) of Hanover, Pa. and Nicole Testa from Mullica Hill, N.J. (8-9 year old division) earned trophies for their efforts. Megan Culbert took home the Queen/King of the Hill race.
Jr. Dragsters invade Thunder Valley all week with several test and tune sessions, Fun Races and other events leading up to final eliminations on Saturday for the O'Reilly Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals.
The Eastern Conference Finals is open to drivers from Divisions 1, 2 and 3, and select tracks in Division 4. Each NHRA member track may send up to three teams of 10 racers to participate in the race. Team members earn points for their home track, with the top scoring team winning the conference final.
Individual winners in each of the eight age categories - 8-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16-17 - receive a $5,000 savings bond and the coveted "Wally" trophy, featuring the likeness of NHRA founder Wally Parks. In addition, each member of the top scoring team will receive a $300 savings bond and a Wally.
For more information about the Eastern Conference Finals, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.