Taylor gains another, McDonald wins first at Bristol Dragway.

6/19/2016

 
BRISTOL, Tenn. – John Taylor is a back to back national event winner in Bristol, while Mark McDonald captured his first ever win this weekend for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

The Super Gas title went to Taylor of Naples, Fla., who had a great reaction time at the light, and never wavered as he went down the lane in 9.926 seconds at 159.49 mph. This is his fourth national event win.

It was McDonald's second final-round appearance in the Top Sportsman presented by Racing RV's as he took out Ronnie Proctor, Harpers Ferry, W.V., for the win and his first national event trophy. McDonald, Boonville, Ind., ran a great race in his '67 Mustang and was dead on for a 6.866 second pass at 194.38 mph.

Rusty Cook, Cynthiana, Ky., has a prior win in Super Comp, he captured his second Wally with a perfect reaction time, running 8.895 seconds at 173.16 mph over David Schmidt, Flintstone, Ga., who made his first final round appearance as the number one qualifier.

Chad Taylor, Sellersburg, Ind., faced off with Dan Jacobs, of Elizabeth, Ind. Jacobs was the number one qualifier and making his first final round appearance, while Taylor who has one prior national event win qualified 13th and took the advantage at the line and stayed the course to capture the win in Super Stock. Taylor went 9.792 seconds at 128.10 mph for his winning pass.

In the Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series and Top Fuel Harley it was Len Darnell, Vancouver, Wash., taking home his second Wally trophy this year beating out Mike Beland, Maiden, N.C. Darnell clocked in at 6.612, 203.25 mph to Beland's quicker 6.553, 214.66. This is Darnell's fifth career win.

Other winners visiting the winners circle were Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., in Stock, who went 9.625 seconds at 131.36 mph capturing his thirteenth career win, with 5 of those wins being in Stock and Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., won in the Top Dragster presented by Racing RV's class covering the quarter mile in 6.474, 187.76 against Larry Roberts, Laurens, S.C.

The following are the final results from the 16th annual NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway:

Super Stock
Chad Taylor, Pontiac Sunfire, 9.792, 128.10 def.
Dan Jacobs, Chevy Cavalier, 9.887, 133.74.

Stock Eliminator
Jeff Strickland, Chevy Camaro, 9.625, 131.36 def.
Adam Davis, Pontiac Firebird, Foul - Red Light.

Super Comp
Rusty Cook, Dragster, 8.895, 173.16 def.
David Schmidt, Dragster, 8.871, 172.32.

Super Gas
John Taylor, Dodge Dakota, 9.926, 159.49 def.
Leo Zynda, Chevy Cavalier, 9.931, 161.67.

Top Sportsman
Mark McDonald, Ford Mustang, 6.866, 194.38 def.
Ronnie Proctor, Mustang, 6.867, 200.71.

Top Dragster
Steve Furr, Dragster, 6.474, 187.76 def.
Larry Roberts, Dragster, Foul - Red Light.

Top Fuel Harley
Len Darnell, Harley, 6.612, 203.25 def.
 Mike Beland, Johnson, 6.553, 214.66.


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