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
