GLENDORA, Calif. – Adam Sorokin and Leah Pruett-LeDuc secured their 2010 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Championships this weekend at the California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at Auto Club Famoso Raceway.
Sorokin of Glendale, Calif., came into the event trailing Jim Murphy by just 9 points in Nostalgia Top Fuel, and with a 17 point lead over Brad Thompson who was third in points. Sorokin qualified sixth in the 16-car field and matched up with Thompson, Visalia, Calif., in round two, taking the win and eliminating Thompson from the title chase.
Murphy, Santa Rosa, Calif., qualified No. 1 at 5.801 seconds and set up a winner take all semifinal round with Sorokin when he outran Troy Green in round two. With the championship on the line, Sorokin took the holeshot and never looked back posting the quickest time of the event at 5.634 seconds, 252.03 mph for the win, the championship, and the coveted NHRA “Wally” trophy.
Sorokin was to face off with 2009 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Champion Brett Harris, Kaysville, Utah, when weather consisting of lighting, wind, and rain put an end to the day’s activities. Monday saw more rain and officials postponed the final round which will take place in Pomona at the NHRA Auto Club Finals, November 11-14.
Pruett-LeDuc, Cherry Valley, Calif., started the year off with a win at the March Meet (also held at Auto Club Famoso Raceway) and came into the weekend with a 47 point lead in Nostalgia Funny Car over Tim Boychuk. Pruett-LeDuc broke on her burn out in her first qualifying attempt and had to rely on her second and final qualifying pass with 36 funny cars on site vying for a spot in the 16-car field. She clocked in at 5.887 seconds, 236.84 mph, good for the 11th spot right behind Boychuk, Edmonton, Alb., CAN., in 10th.
Pruett-LeDuc went on to beat Dwayne Patton in round one, then Mike Halstead in round 2 with a lap of 5.891, 237.78 to lock up the Nostalgia Funny Car Championship. She then out ran Claude Lavoie with an even quicker 5.823, 241.41 and will face off against Mark Hentges, Federal Way., Wash., in the final in Pomona. Boychuk fell in round two to Lavoie.
Both Sorokin and Pruett-LeDuc celebrated with their teams in the 2010 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Winner’s Circle on Sunday night.
