DIVISION 3
Mid-Michigan Motorplex
Stanton, Mich., June 23-24
Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central
Event preview
Sunday eliminations:
Champions crowned at Mid-Michigan
STANTON, Mich. – The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Mid-Michigan Motorplex is in the books. The two-day race kicked off on Saturday and wrapped up with eliminations today. Stanton resident and former Motorplex track manager Jeff Ledford scored the win in Top Dragster and Robert Bailey earned the win in Comp Eliminator.
Ledford beat out Jeff Brown of Marysville, Ohio, for his first win in the category. He ran 7.482 second at 166.66 mph to Brown's 7.346-second, 185.91 mph pass.
Bailey was runner-up at the division's season opener in Norwalk, Ohio. The Wabash, Ind., racer wheeled his dragster to a 6.736-second, 193.84 mph pass to take the win over Douglas Stewart of Edwardsburg, Mich. Stewart ran 8.374 seconds at 164.50 mph.
In Super Stock, Richard Doane, Dayton, Ohio, wheeled his '87 Camaro to the win over Jimmy Ronzello, Rockwood, Mich., in his '98 Mustang. Stock Eliminator racer Ben Wentzel Sr., Freeland, Mich., made his way to the winner's circle, driving his '67 Camaro around the '82 Escort of Steve Polhill, London, Ont. Indianapolis's Troy Galbraith earned the win in Super Comp over Jonathan Martin of Milan, Ind., while Joe Bauman, Chesanny, Mich., beat out Mark Sanders, Harrison, Ohio, in the Super Gas final. Super Street competitor Steve Mesik, Plainwell, Mich., drove his '67 Nova to the win over Paul Richardson, Woodburn, Ind., and his '87 Firenza. In Top Sportsman, Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., in his '07 Cobalt earned the win over Johnstown, Ohio's Bill Yates Sr. in his '04 Cavalier.
North Central division racers head to Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, July 13-15.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Mid-Michigan Motorplex:
COMP ELIMINATOR
Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.736, 193.84 def.
Douglas Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '03 Stratus, B/SMA, 8.374, 164.50
SUPER STOCK
Richard Doane, Dayton, Ohio, '87 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.849, 108.81 def.
Jimmy Ronzello, Rockwood, Mich., '98 Mustang, SS/BX, 11.894, 127.62
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Ben Wenzel Sr., Freeland, Mich., '67 Camaro, D/S, 10.744, 124.10 def.
Steve Polhill, London, Ont., '82 Escort, DF/S, 19.460, 56.71
SUPER COMP
Troy Galbraith, Indianapolis, dragster, 8.905, 160.08 def.
Jonathan Martin, Milan, Ind., dragster, 8.908, 168.88
SUPER GAS
Joe Bauman, Chesanny, Mich., '58 Corvette, 9.965, 134.06 def.
Mark Sanders, Harrison, Ohio, '05 Cavalier, 10.445, 140.36
SUPER STREET
Steve Mesik, Plainwell, Mich., '67 Nova, 10.875, 107.32 def.
Paul Richardson, Woodburn, Ind., '87 Firenza, 10.831, 145.09
TOP SPORTSMAN
Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '07 Cobalt, 7.326, 161.00 def. Bill Yates Sr., Johnstown, Ohio, '04 Cavalier, 29.101, 32.95
TOP DRAGSTER
Jeff Ledford, Stanton, Mich., dragster, 7.482, 166.66 def. Jeff Brown, Marysville, Ohio, dragster, 7.346, 185.91
Saturday qualifying:
Coan, Plant lead fields into eliminations
STANTON, Mich. – Qualifying is complete at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event Mid-Michigan Motorplex. Eliminations will start Sunday morning. Racers in eight classes, including Comp Eliminator, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster, are vying for valuable points leading to divisional and national championships.
Jason Coan of Greentown, Ind., set the pace in Comp Eliminator while Rosedale, Ind., racer Tom Plant heads up the Super Stock field. New Carlisle, Ohio's Phil Pierce is the No. 1 qualifier in Stock Eliminator, Reed Hughes, Terre Haute, Ind., is atop the Top Sportsman ladder and Don Brei of Erie, Pa., leads in Top Dragster.
Racing continues Sunday at Mid-Michigan Motorplex. Gates open at 7 a.m. and eliminations start at 9 a.m. Comp Eliminator will run first round at noon.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Mid-Michigan Motorplex are $20. Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 and kids 5 and under are admitted free.
For more information call Mid-Michigan Motorplex, (989) 762-5043, or visit www.MidMichMotorplex.com.
The following are Saturday's final qualifying results at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Mid-Michigan Motorplex:
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Jason Coan, Greentown, Ind., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.441 seconds, -0.619 (under index)
2) Jesse Plant, Terre Haute, Ind., dragster, D/ED, 7.416, -0.584
3) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.653, -0.577
4) Douglas Stewart, Edwardsburg, Mich., '03 Stratus, B/SMA, 8.205, -0.565
5) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.827, -0.553
6) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.876, -0.524
7) Gary Merrick, Girard, Ohio, dragster, C/ED, 7.420, -0.490
8) Patrick Stewart, Elkhart, Ind., dragster, C/ED, 7.436, -0.474
9) Bruno Massel, Woodridge, Ill., '07 Cobalt, DD/AT, 7.633, -0.447
10) Bert Dawson, E. Liverpool, Ohio, '05 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.195, -0.445
SUPER STOCK
1) Tom Plant, Rosedale, Ind., '03 S-10, SS/TD, 10.175 seconds, -1.175 (under index)
2) Michael Mans, Rogers, Minn., '00 Formula, SS/CS, 9.522, -1.128
3) Ken Sharp, Middletown, Ohio, '90 Eldorado, GT/MA, 10.972, -1.078
4) Gene McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '95 Mustang, GT/BA, 9.473, -1.077
5) Colin Wigle, Amherstburg, Ont., '05 Mustang, GT/EA, 9.873, -1.077
6) Monte Howard, Potomac, Ill., '78 Firebird, SS/KA, 10.474, -1.076
7) Ted Romero, Denver, '98 Grand Am, GT/HA, 10.311, -1.039
8) James McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '69 Mustang, SS/GA, 9.813, -1.037
9) Tim Kish, Kalamazoo, Mich., '99 Neon, SS/GS, 13.324, -1.026
10) Bobby Rashid, Grosse Point Woods, Mich., '82 Firebird, GT/CA, 9.682, -1.018
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Phil Pierce, New Carlisle, Ohio, '92 Ram 150, I/FIA, 12.463 seconds, -1.287 (under index)
2) Ben Wenzel Sr., Freeland, Mich., '67 Camaro, D/S, 10.689, -1.111
3) Bruce Witherspoon, Lansing, Mich., '90 Corvette, D/FIA, 11.213, -1.087
4) Keith Lynch, West Manchester, Ohio, '70 Camaro, B/SA, 10.472, -1.078
5) David Walther, Lanesville, Ind., '69 Camaro, H/S, 11.245, -1.055
6) Judy McCormack, Oxford, Mich., '03 Dakota, F/FIA, 11.897, -1.053
7) James Kaekel Jr., Coloma, Mich., '70 4-4-2, E/SA, 10.971, -1.029
8) Kevin Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., '68 Camaro, D/SA, 10.829, -1.021
9) Charley Downing, Britton, Mich., '83 Malibu Wgn, M/SA, 12.137, -1.013
10) William Lent, Muskegon, Mich., '97 Firebird, H/FIA, 12.448, -1.002
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Reed Hughes, Terre Haute, Ind., '68 Camaro, 6.968 seconds, 194.04 mph
2) Tim Molnar, Seville, Ohio, '02 Grand Am, 6.975, 200.00
3) Jerry Albert, Avon, Ohio, '97 Camaro, 7.027, 194.17
4) Rick Sojka Sr., Batavia, Ill., '97 Firebird, 7.089, 194.55
5) Scott Fitzgibbon, Homer Glen, Ill., '04 Stratus, 7.157, 194.00
6) Don Peden, Edinburg, Ill., '07 Cobalt, 7.168, 192.51
7) Mike Radthke, Tinley Park, Ill., '92 Camaro, 7.183, 194.17
8) Jimmy Fallon, Hamilton, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 7.223, 188.63
9) Dan Stevenson, Bolingbrook, Ill., '01 S-10, 7.386, 183.59
10) Mitch Smith, Anderson, Ind., '06 GTO, 7.396, 186.29
TOP DRAGSTER
1) Don Brei, Erie, Pa., dragster, 6.610 seconds, 201.25 mph
2) David Jamison, Twinsburg, Ohio, dragster, 6.688, 203.52
3) Jerry Powell II, Kokomo, Ind., dragster, 6.802, 199.86
4) Dean McIlvain, New Carlisle, Ohio, dragster, 7.017, 191.77
5) Rick Forish, New Boston, Mich., dragster, 7.162, 188.60
6) Ty Smith, Ft. Wayne, Ind., dragster, 7.191, 184.31
7) Pascal Lecompte, New Baltimore, Mich., dragster, 7.210, 188.40
8) Jim Hughes, Phoenix, dragster, 7.218, 184.95
9) Ed Toolis, Lison, Ohio, dragster, 7.260, 184.76
10) Jeff Brown, Marysville, Ohio, dragster, 7.294, 185.91
Event preview:
STANTON, Mich. – Mid-Michigan Motorplex will host the NHRA North Central division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, June 23 and 24. The race is the third of seven on the division calendar and will feature drivers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. They are vying for points leading to divisional and national championships. The division's Dart Top Sportsman category and Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster class will also run in conjunction with the event.
Always among the most competitive divisions in NHRA, the North Central boasts four 2006 national champions including Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., in Top Alcohol Dragster (which will not be contested at Mid-Michigan Motorplex); Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., in Comp Eliminator; Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, in Stock Eliminator; and Ron Erks, Clinton, Ohio, in Super Comp.
Wilkes earned his first national title in a nail-biter of a contest that came down to the final national event of the year, in Pomona, Calif. He ended the season in a tie with Pacific division racer Tibor Kadar but Wilkes earned the title by having won one more round at a national event than Kadar, 36 rounds to 35. Divisionally, he finished the season third place. His best showing on the divisional level was a runner-up finish at an out-of-division race in Commerce, Ga.
Veteran racer Erks had his best overall season in 2006. Not only did he earn his first national championship, but he scored his fourth division title (two in Super Comp and two in Super Gas) and finished just 34 points behind division nemesis Rock Haas for the division's Super Gas championship. In Super Comp last year Erks averaged nearly 88 points per race.
Haas, a White Lake, Mich., resident claimed his third straight division title in 2006 when he earned the Super Gas crown. In 2004 and 2005 he was the region's Super Comp champion.
Gates at Mid-Michigan Motorplex open at 8 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sunday. Qualifying and time trials will begin at 10 a.m. Friday. Top Dragster is slated to qualify at noon, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. while Top Sportsman will qualify at 12:30, 5 and 8 p.m. Comp Eliminator qualifying is at 1, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Sunday. Comp Eliminator, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will all run first round of eliminations starting at noon.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Mid-Michigan Motorplex are $25 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A two-day ticket is $40. Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.
Mid-Michigan Motorplex is located 50 miles Northeast of Grand Rapids at 2589 N. Wyman Rd., off M-66. For more information call the track, (989) 762-5043, or visit the web site at
www.MidMichMotorplex.com.
NHRA North Central division racers will mark the mid-point of the season July 13-15 in Illinois. They will head Gateway International Raceway in Madison for the fourth of seven races on the schedule.
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the third of seven in North Central Division competition. The division's Dart Top Sportsman category and Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster class will also run in conjunction with the event.
WHERE: Mid-Michigan Motorplex, Stanton, Mich. Track is located 50 miles Northeast of Grand Rapids at 2589 N. Wyman Rd., off M-66.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24, 2007
SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:
SATURDAY, June 23 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Top Dragster qualifying is at noon, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Top Sportsman qualifying is at 12:30, 5 and 8 p.m. Comp Eliminator qualifying is set for 1, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, June 24 -- Gates open at 7 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Eliminations for Comp Eliminator, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster start at noon.
TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $25 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A two-day pass is $40. Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 each day. Kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Mid-Michigan Motorplex, (989) 762-5043, or visit www.MidMichMotorplex.com.
PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $200,675, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.
2006 EVENT WINNERS: Steve Ambrose, Comp Eliminator; Matt Antrobius, Super Stock; James Kaekel Jr., Stock Eliminator; Janice Swan, Super Comp; Ryan Bolin, Super Gas; Daniel Joe Hedges, Super Street
BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND: A $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2007 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.
SPITZER RACE CARS LOW QUALIFIER BONUS/SPITZER RACE CARS TRACK RECORD BONUS: A $14,000 bonus fund from Spitzer Race Cars will pay low qualifiers in the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes $500 at each of the North Central division's six races where the categories are contested. There will also be a year-end bonus of $1,000 to be awarded to the driver in each class with the most points earned through qualifying position at each of the events.
The Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car driver at each event who sets the track elapse time record will earn $500 from Spitzer Race Cars.
JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance. The 2008 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2008 Jegs Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.
The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.
This year, event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. Any 2008 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.
Dart Top Sportsman Class: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Dart Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,200 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship. Top Sportsman racers may run the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in other NHRA divisions that run the class.
The North Central Division Dart Top Sportsman year-end champion will earn $2,000, No. 2 points finisher will receive $1,000 and the third place competitor will earn $500.
SPITZER RACE CARS TOP DRAGSTER CLASS: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,200 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship. Top Dragster racers may run the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in other NHRA divisions that run the class.
The North Central Division Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster year-end champion will earn $2,000, No. 2 points finisher will receive $1,000 and the third place competitor will earn $500.
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