7•6•2008 We got the month of July off to a great start today as we had over 200 race vehicles on hand to compete for their class wins. Here’s a recap of the racing action.

In Super Pro it was Tom Belvick in his big block Chevy powered dragster defeating Chris Piston, driving his Slawiak Chevy powered S&W. Chris tossed away his chance for a third Super win of the season with a .465 foul and ran an 8.880 at 149.03 mph on his 8.87 dial. Tom scored his first win of the season with a .516 initiated, 8.096 at 167.43 mph run on his 8.05 dial. Keith Dumas was the semifinalist.

Howard Smith took the win in Pro today as he wheeled his ’80 Malibu Stocker to the win by stopping many time winner Mike LaRose who was in his Competition Wedge powered ’68 GTX. Howard got off to a great start with a .535 reaction time and ran a 12.383 at 104.84 mph run on his 12.37 dial. Mike gave chase with a .571 reaction, but he ran under his 10.43 dial with a 10.401 at 128.93 mph runner-up effort. Rob Forbes was the semifinalist.

Justin Hildbrant scored the Pro Bike win driving his ’01 Suzuki to the win by defeating Cliff Cronk who was on his ’01 Kawasaki. Justin held a slim .565 to .576 reaction time advantage and he shut off to an 11.723 at 81.68 mph on his 10.40 dial for the win when Cliff experienced some problems and had to shut off. Jeff Strickler and Rick Fies were the semifinalists.

In Pro Sled, Mike Stiles scored his second-straight win, third of the season on his ’94 Ski-doo by defeating John MaHay who was on his ’01 Ski-doo. Mike had a good .537 light and nailed his 9.80 dial with a 9.804 at 129.68 mph run. John had a .623 light and ran under his 11.95 dial with an 11.940 at 106.11 mph runner-up pass. Nick Washburn was the semifinalist.

In Street Money Anthony Rotolo cruised to his second-straight week by stopping a red lighting Todd Minerd who was in his ’85 S-10. Anthony took the win in his ’72 Nova with a 13.508 at 100.44 mph run on his 13.48 dial while Todd ran 15.336 at 85.72 mph on his 15.30 dial-in. Todd has been driving very well this season and has already notched numerous podium finishes in his S-10. Anthony Zangari drove his ‘99 Z28 Camaro to a semifinal finish.

Darin Buchanan (pictured) won the Modified class today as he drove his hard launching ’67 Plymouth to the win over Andrea Bisson who fouled while driving her Pontiac Tempest. Both drivers shut off and ran well off their dial-ins. Steve Searles was the semifinalist in his ‘89 Mustang.

Street Trophy was won by Steve English who has not been competing much at all the last 5 years or so. Steve cut a .563 light and ran a 14.412 at 81.53 mph run on his 14.25 dial-in to defeat Christine Lewis who was in her ’05 Chevy. Chris had a .669 light and settled for the runner-up spot with a 17.270 at 80.21 mph on her 17.16 dial-in. Dick Aversa and Todd Minerd was the semifinalist.

The “Rocket,” Rick Fies won the Bike/Sled Combo riding his ’01 Suzuki to the win over Herb Bingel who was on his ’98 Ski-doo. Herb held the reaction advantage .603 to .655, but he experienced some difficulties and ran well off his 11.18 dial-in with a 11.89 at 83.53 mph. Rick won it with a 9.153 at 127.06 mph run on his 9.04 dial-in. Mike Leggett II was the semifinalist.

In Jr. Dragster “A” action it was Morgan Bunal scoring the win by stopping last week’s winner Mike Phelps. Morgan had a .613 light and ran 8.899 at 72.58 mph on her 8.90 dial to score her first win of the season. Mike missed the tree with a .440 foul and tossed away his 7.910 at 82.55 mph run on his 7.90 dial. Carter Helch and Shaquille Scott were the semifinalists.

Jacob Snyder took the Jr. Dragster “B” win today by defeating defending points champ Jake Lipke. Jacob put together a great final round run with a .521 light and ran a 13.116 at 50.11 mph on his 13.09 dial. Jake had to settle for the runner-up spot with his .652 initiated, 9.023 at 71.43 mph run on his 8.97 dial. Tyler BeDell and Alexa Pedersen were the semifinalists.

There will be no points for the Junior Dragsters this coming weekend as a number of our racers are headed down to Bristol Dragway in Tennessee for the O’Reilly Jr. Dragster Championships. Good Luck to our Jr. racers!

Also this Sunday, we will be running our F.X. Caprara Trailer Sales Super Pro Challenge with $1,200 to win on the line! Don’t forget, Sunday the 13th is Military Appreciation Day where active duty members of our armed forces and their families get free admission for Sunday’s event. Spread the word!

- Pete DeSalvo Jr.