DIVISION 5
Cordova Dragway Park
Cordova, Ill., Aug. 7-8, 2009 

Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central

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Saturday

CORDOVA, Ill. (Aug. 9, 2009) – The Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Cordova Dragway Park, ran late into the night on Saturday but champions in 11 categories were crowned.  Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., led the winners, taking the crown in Top Alcohol Dragster while Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., scored the win in Top Alcohol Funny Car.  Davenport's Tom Klemme rode to the win in Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley Davidson and Muscatine resident Hank Brown won in Top Dragster.

Thacker, who was the event's No. 1 qualifier in TAD, laid down a 5.510-second, 261.12 mph pass in the final.  That run was more than enough to give him the win over No. 3 qualifier Justin Davis of Murrieta, Calif., who slowed to a 9.540-second lap at 83.90 mph.

Bohl took on another Davenport racer, Chris Foster, in the TAFC final.  The racers had qualified in the No. 3 (Foster) and 4 (Bohl) spots, and Bolh's 5.866-second, 240.64 mph run in the final was enough to put him in the winner's circle.  Foster ran 5.950 seconds at 199.82 mph.

Klemme took on division points leader Tom Gilligan, Freemont, Neb., in the final round to earn the Sportsman Motorcycle win. And Brown's win came at the expense of Rick Forish of New Palestine, Ind.

Edmond Richardson, Greenbrier, Tenn., took home two trophies as he wheeled his '02 Camaro to the win in Stock Eliminator and scored the Super Comp win.  In Stock Eliminator, Richardson, one of the winningest sportsman racers in NHRA, faced Bettendorf's Chris Knudsen, who was driving his '69 Camaro, and in Super Comp he bested Brad Plourd of Maple Valley, Wash., in the final.

The win in Comp Eliminator went to Scott Parks, Burlingame, Kan., who ousted Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn.  Brad Zaskowski grabbed first divisional win of the season in Super Stock, taking out Bred Bartoli, Schaumburg, Ill., in the final.  In Super Gas, Ray Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, won for the third time in five races.  Connolly took on Rodney Thompson, Anoka, Minn., to get the win.  Super Street winner Eric Olhava, Buffalo Grove, Ill., drove his '68 Camaro to the win over Andy Field of Chippewa Falls, Wis., driving his '77 Corvette, while Joshua Vettel of Phillips, Neb., got the win in Top Sportsman ousting Rick Wilson, Independence, Mo., in the final.

The NHRA West Central division's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season continues in Kansas.  Heartland Park Topeka in Topeka, Kan., will play host for two days, August 28-29.

The following are the final results from the Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools event at Cordova Dragway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.523, 261.37 def.
8) Dan Kracht, Gretna, Neb., 5.536, 254.18

2) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., 5.697, 253.09 def.
7) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 5.680, 232.91

3) Justin Davis, Murrieta, Calif., 5.607, 258.27 def.
6) Brandon Booher, Urbana, Ill., 5.613, 249.58

5) Richard Putz, Earlville, Iowa, 7.509, 148.43 def.
4) Edwin Schmeeckle, Gothenburg, Neb., broke

Semifinals
Thacker, 5.495, 261.98 def. Putz, 5.596, 248.02
Davis, 5.538, 260.91 def. Hirata, 5.793, 250.74

Final
Thacker, 5.510, 261.12 def. Davis, 9.540, 83.90

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Mick Snyder, Demotte, Ind., '08 Mustang, 5.953, 245.49 def.
10) Kevin Newburgh, Rock Falls, Ill., '06 Avenger, 6.356, 232.31

2) Vern Moats, Des Moines, Iowa, '08 Mustang, 5.782, 252.00 def.
7) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ont., '99 Mustang, 5.970, 238.85

3) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '07 Monte Carlo, 5.849, 240.21 def.
6) Lance Van Hauen, Reinbeck, Iowa, '05 Firebird, 6.141, 234.37

4) Andy Bohl, Racine, Wis., '07 Mustang, 5.759, 250.37 def.
5) Ray Drew, Hales Corner, Wis., '04 Firebird, 6.215, 234.57

Semifinals
Foster, 5.806, 244.16 def. Moats, 6.709, 148.15
Bohl, 5.779, 248.98 def. Snyder, 5.857, 245.40

Final
Bohl, 5.866, 240.64 def. Foster, 5.950, 199.82

COMP ELIMINATOR
Scott Parks, Burlingame, Kan., dragster, A/ND, 6.906, 192.52 def.
Tom Schmidt, Lindstrom, Minn., '03 S-10, C/T, 8.357, 159.83

SUPER STOCK
Brad Zaskowski, Belmont, Mich., '87 Camaro, GT/G, 10.741, 99.92 def.
Fred Bartoli, Schaumburg, Ill., '88 Camaro, GT/DA, 10.327, 130.23

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Edmond Richardson, Greenbrier, Tenn., '02 Camaro, C/SA, 10.665, 124.22 def.
Chris Knudsen, Bettendorf, Iowa, '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.668, 122.68

SUPER COMP
Edmond Richardson, Greenbrier, Tenn., dragster, 8.935, 164.55 def.
Brad Plourd, Maple Valley, Wash., dragster, 8.955, 150.11

SUPER GAS
Ray Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 13.950, 76.73 def.
Rodney Thompson, Anoka, Minn., '94 Cutlass, foul

SUPER STREET
Eric Olhava, Buffalo Grove, Ill., '68 Camaro, 10.905, 125.51 def.
Andy Field, Chippewa Falls, Wis., '77 Corvette, 10.856, 130.25

TOP SPORTSMAN
Joshua Vettel, Phillips, Neb., '04 Stratus, 7.041, 196.24 def.
Rick Wilson, Independence, Mo., '69 Camaro, 7.470, 179.76

TOP DRAGSTER
Hank Brown, Muscatine, Iowa, dragster, 6.980, 183.00 def.
Rick Forish, New Palestine, Ind., dragster, 7.065, 189.50

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
Tom Klemme, Davenport, Iowa, '77 Kawasaki, 8.703, 145.91 def.
Tom Gilligan, Fremont, Neb., '77 Kawasaki, 9.031, 138.84.

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Friday

CORDOVA, Ill. (Aug. 7, 2009) – Mother Nature had a hand in the opening day of qualifying at the Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Cordova Dragway Park. And it was a soggy hand that kept the event from getting under way until 6 p.m.; a far cry from the scheduled 10 a.m. start.  In the end, only one round of qualifying was completed in Super Stock, Stock and Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley Davidson, and time trials in Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.

The good news is that Moline resident Jeff Stealy qualified his '86 Camaro in the No. 2 spot in Stock Eliminator, just behind Sam Hamod, Hobart, Ind., behind the wheel of his '90 Firebird.  The top qualifier in Super Stock was Justin Jenkins, Beatrice, Ind., wheeling his '09 Cobalt.  In Sportsman Motorcycle, Ken Neissen, Brooklyn Park, Minn., topped the field with Davenport racer Tom Klemme just off the pace in second place.  Kurt Clark, another Davenport resident, finished the day in the No. 4 slot.

Racing continues Saturday at Cordova Dragway Park.  Final qualifying and time trials are slated to run from 8 a.m. to noon and eliminations will start at 1 p.m.  Racers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have a final qualifying pass at noon and they will run first round of eliminations at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools are $22.  Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 and kids 5 and under are admitted free.  For more information call the track, (309) 654-1220.

Cordova Dragway Park is located 3 miles north of Cordova on Highway 84; 10 miles north of I-80 exit No. 1.  For updates on highway construction check the track's web site, www.CordovaDrag.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools event at Cordova Dragway Park:

SUPER STOCK
1) Justin Jenkins, Beatrice, Neb., '09 Cobalt, GT/CA, 9.560 seconds, -1.140 (under index)
2) Bryan Chaney, Claremore, Okla., '92 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.222, -1.128
3) Michael Mans, Rogers, Minn., '00 Firebird, SS/CS, 9.615, -1.035
4) David Bogner, Kearney, Neb., '92 Daytona, SS/CS, 9.618, -1.032
5) Jason Tinberg, Shawnee, Kan., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.693, -1.007
6) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '08 Cobalt, SS/BS, 8.943, -1.007
7) Tom Randall, Montgomery, Ill., '02 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.695, -1.005
8) Larry Hodge, La Place, Ill., '86 Monte Carlo, SS/KA, 10.551, -0.999
9) Fred Bartoli, Elk Grove Village, Ill., '00 Firebird, SS/IA, 10.029, -0.971
10) John Covington, Center, Texas, '98 Grand Am, GT/DA, 9.845, -0.955

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Sam Hamod, Hobart, Ind., '90 Firebird, I/SA, 11.464 seconds, -1.136 (under index)
2) Jeff Stealy, E. Moline, Ill., '86 Camaro, H/SA, 11.326, -1.124
3) Jami Jones, Grimes, Iowa, '86 Camaro, G/SA, 11.218, -1.082
4) James Findell, Zimmerman, Minn., '73 Duster, F/SA, 11.083, -1.067
5) Tyler Wudarczyk, Salina, Kan., '73 Camaro, G/SA, 11.241, -1.059
6) Wade Owens, Cape Girardeau, Mo., '66 Chevelle, M/SA, 12.113, -1.037
7) Brad Burton, Golden, Colo., '72 Formula, E/SA, 10.971, -1.029
8) Dale Findell, Cambridge, Minn., '73 Barracuda, G/SA, 11.277, -1.023
9) Tom Moock, Eagle, Neb., '81 Malibu, M/SA, 12.144, -1.006
10) Jim Schaechter, St. Charles, Ill., '66 Chevy II, J/S, 11.662, -0.988

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE
1) Ken Niesen, Brooklyn Park, Minn., '85 Suzuki, 0.006 seconds reaction time
2) Tom Klemme, Davenport, Iowa, '77 Kawasaki, 0.007
3) Danielle Schrupp, Mound, Minn., '97 Polaris, 0.008
4) Kurt Clark, Davenport, Iowa, '76 Kawasaki, 0.009
5) Jason Clampitt, Lino Lake, Minn., '93 Harley Sprts, 0.011
6) Tom Gilligan, Fremont, Neb., '77 Kawasaki, 0.026
7) Aaron Schrupp, Mound, Minn., '08 Suzuki, 0.027
8) Mike Voss, Maplewood, Minn., '07 Kawasaki, 0.032
9) Zach Schrupp, Mound, Minn., '06 Kawasaki, 0.039
10) Dan Beale, Hillsdale, Ill., '76 Kawasaki, 0.100

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Preview

CORDOVA, Ill. – Cordova Dragway Park will host the Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, August 7-8, 2009.  The race is the fourth of six in NHRA West Central division competition and will feature drivers in eight categories, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, vying for points leading to divisional and national championships.  The division's Jerry Haas Race Cars Top Sportsman Series, West Central Division Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.

In Top Alcohol Dragster competition, defending division champion Ed Schmeeckle of Gothenburg, Neb., is leading the points.  However, Earlville, Iowa's Richard Putz is just 10 markers back.  Putz won the division's race at SRCA Dragstrip in Great Bend, Kan., but has suffered first round losses at the other three races he's been to.  Schmeeckle was runner-up to Putz at SRCA Dragstrip and made a final-round appearance in the division's last race, at Denver's Bandimere Speedway. But he has also been ousted in the first round at the other two races he's run.  Both competitors need to be on the look out for Dan Kracht, the division newcomer from Gretna, Neb.  Kracht has two races to his credit and has made two final-round appearances.  He scored the win at the division's race at Brainerd (Minn.) Int'l Raceway.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Roger Bateman-the division's defending champ-has a comfortable lead in the points over former division titlist Vern Moats of Des Moines, Iowa.  With five races under his belt so far Bateman, a resident of Calgary, Alb., has made three consecutive final-round appearances.  He was runner-up at SRCA and scored wins in Brainerd and at Bandimere Speedway.  In Denver he beat Moats who was a semifinalist in Great Bend and Brainerd.Perennial division champion Gary Stinnett of Emporia, Kan., is leading the Super Stock points and is No. 7 in the Super Comp standings.  Stinnett, who has earned a national championship in each of those categories, has racked up 11 division titles since 1995.  Super Stock competitor Justin Jenkins, Beatrice, Neb., is just 19 points behind Stinnett in the Super Stock standings.  Jenkins has been to three races and beat Stinnett in Brainerd and was runner-up to David Bogner in Denver.

Tickets for the Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools are $20 Friday and $22 Saturday.  A two-day pass is $37.  Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Gates at Cordova Dragway Park open at 7 a.m. both days.  Qualifying and time trials start Friday morning at 10 and continue Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.  Eliminations will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday.  Racers in Comp Eliminator, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman will have two qualifying sessions on Friday, at 4 and 6 p.m., and one on Saturday, at 11 a.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car competitors will qualify at 8:30 p.m. Friday and at noon on Saturday.  They will run first round of eliminations Saturday at 6 p.m.

Cordova Dragway Park is located three miles north of Cordova on Highway 84; 10 miles north of I-80 exit No. 1.  For more information call the track, (309) 654-2110, or visit www.CordovaDrag.com.  Up-to-date highway construction information and directions to the track are on the track's Web site.

NHRA West Central division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will continue the season in Topeka, Kan.  Heartland Park Topeka will host the series August 28-29, 2009.

 

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships.  Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster (TAD), Top Alcohol Funny Car (TAFC), Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.  The event is the fourth of six in West Central Division competition. The division's Jerry Haas Race Cars Top Sportsman Series, West Central Division Top Dragster Series and the Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Cordova Dragway Park, Cordova, Ill.  Track is located 3 miles north of Cordova on Highway 84;

  10 miles north of I-80 exit No. 1. (For updates on highway construction check www.CordovaDrag.com)

WHEN:  Friday and Saturday, August 7-8, 2009

SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the Summer Showdown presented by Matco Tools:

FRIDAY, Aug. 7 -- Gates open at 7 a.m.  Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Comp Eliminator, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman qualifying starts at 4 and 6:30 p.m.  TAD and TAFC qualifying is at 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, Aug. 8 -- Gates open at 7 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon.  Eliminations begin at 1 p.m.  Comp Eliminator, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman final qualifying beginning at 11 a.m.  TAD and TAFC final qualifying session is at noon.  They run first round at 6 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $22 Saturday.  A two-day pass is $37.  Children 6-12 years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.  For more information please call Cordova Dragway Park, (309) 654-1220 or visit www.CordovaDrag.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $162,225, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2008 EVENT WINNERS: Marty Thacker, Top Alcohol Dragster; Kirk Williams, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Doug Engels, Comp Eliminator; Brad Haughaard, Super Stock; Jerry Simpson, Stock Eliminator; Terry Edwards, Super Comp; Don Nichols, Super Gas; Jeff Landholm, 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 2009 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.

 AEROMOTIVE LOW QUALIFIER BONUS: A $3,000 bonus fund paid to the low qualifiers in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock and Stock Eliminator at each of the division's six races. The best qualifying driver in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock will each get $200 per event, while the best qualifier in Stock Eliminator will get $100 per race.

JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $119,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance.  The 2010 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes as well as Top Sportsman and Top Dragster.  The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2010 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.  Winners in Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will each earn $5,000.  Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece.  Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $25,000 towing fund to get to the event.

Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants.  Any 2010 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

JERRY HAAS RACE CARS TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: The Jerry Haas Race Cars Top Sportsman Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors

in the West Central division's Top Sportsman class to earn points toward divisional championships.  The $2,750 champions' purse posted by Jerry Haas Race Cars will be paid to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place points finishers.

West Central Division Top Dragster Series: The West Central Division Top Dragster Series, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in the West Central division's Top Dragster class to earn points toward divisional championships.  The $3,500 champions' purse will be paid to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place points finishers.

NHRA SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE SERIES presented by HARLEY DAVIDSON: The NHRA Sportsman Motorcycle Series presented by Harley Davidson, run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, is an opportunity for competitors in NHRA's Sportsman Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships.  The $14,000 champions' purse posted by Harley Davidson will be paid to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman Motorcycles.

  

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