Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Nationals Presented by Kresto

October 10^th, 11^th & 12^th, 2008

Rockingham Dragway

Elimination Day at The Rock!

The Championship Finals at the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Nationals Presented by Kresto

Elimination Update:

We are getting closer to the final rounds and the tension is growing for all those that await the outcome of the Championship titles. We just learned that in a best- case scenario for Joey Sternotti, it appears that a national record in today’s final and the event win could give him the Top Fuel Championship title. It’s not over til it’s over and to risky to make solid predictions at this point..so we will hold off until the very end on that one!

5:00pm

We are making our way through the third round of qualifying as we do our best to calculate the all-important totals to determine the Championship titles that were undetermined when the competition began here this weekend.

Stephanie is getting the numbers on the ladders round after round and you can see from there that we have had some huge numbers once again here at The Rock!

We’ll let you know when we are ready to head to the finals so you can watch the results!

Early results show that Phil Schmidt who was in third coming into this event has now clinched the tile in Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel! BUT…we just calculated that should Joey Sternotti set a record in the final today..HE could come away eight points ahead and take that title!

Also, Shaun Reno has locked up the 2008 S & S Pro Stock National Championship….and Dean Druschel has secured the 2008 S & S Super Sport No. 1 plate!

We’ll check in here throughout the day with any breaking news or reports of delays! Follow today’s action on the ladder pages.

12noon

We are on the track under sunny skies with early rounds of ET eliminations.

Following the three back-to-back rounds of ET, we will head into our opening ceremonies and then into Pro elimination’s. This is a huge day for many competitors as it comes down to the wire in the chase for the Championship!

We are set up here in the tower to track the results and prepare for tomorrow night’s Championship banquet, so I’ll be limited on commentary today on this page, but Stephanie will be on top of her lighting quick result pages and you can follow the numbers round by round all day long! We should be firing up the first Pro round about 1:15pm.

Incredibly…Dan Norlin went to his 4^th Screamin’ Eagle Shoot Out Final today!!

Norlin was stopped short of a three-time win by Chuck Bothe! It was a thrilling finish and both finalists were wearing huge smiles at the winner’s circle celebration!! (Rumor has it; they agreed to split the $15,000 purse prior to the final). Congratulations Chuck Bothe on the $12,000 grand prize..and to Dan Norlin for a runner-up finish. Norlin has now won the Shoot-Out twice and will take home a 2^nd runner-up finish. Two and Two!

Check out the final 16 results!! (110 bikes participated)

AHDRA Sceamin’ Eagle Performance Parts

East Coast High Stakes Shootout

October 12, 2008

Rockingham Dragway

FINAL 16

Chuck Bothe Valrico, FL .078 10.59 10.674***

Wanda Poff York, PA Broke

Dan Lesnock Canonsburg, PA .186 9.60 9.574

Michael Ray Americus, GA .098 11.31 11.340**

Derek Christensen York, PA Foul 10.27 10.119

Chucky Rhine Myrtle Beach, SC .343 13.10 13.105**

Kevin Winters Richmond, VA .144 10.66 10.655**

Donnie Huffman Lakeland, FL .133 11.06 11.035

Dan Norlin Aurora. CO .103 11.27 11.292**

Erik Nelson Canton, OH .371 11.17 11.257

Nate Carnahan Richmond, VA .152 11.50 11.530**

Jim Sweet Osceola, IN .082 10.16 10.313

QUARTER FINALS

Chuck Bothe Valrico, FL .067 10.64 10.694**

Michael Ray Americus, GA .071 11.31 11.227

Chucky Rhine Myrtle Beach, SC .153 13.10 13.121**

Kevin Winters Richmond, VA .064 10.65 10.641

Dan Norlin Aurora, CO .100 11.27 11.495**

Nate Carnahan Richmond, VA .106 11.50 11.801

SEMI-FINALS

Chuck Bothe Valrico, FL .235 10.65 10.691**

BYE

Chucky Rhine Myrtle Beach, SC .268 13.10 13.155

Dan Norlin Aurora, CO .036 11.27 11.365**

FINALS

Chuck Bothe Valrico, FL .024 10.69 10.713**

Dan Norlin Aurora, CO .101 11.27 11.303

Today’s the day! The grand finale of the 2008 Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Championship Series. The 2008 Championships will be decided today here at Rockingham Dragway. Before we get started with today’s elimination’s, we have $15,000 cash to give away in the Screamin’ Eagle East Coast High Stakes Shoot Out!

The Shoot Out entries are in the lanes now (just over 100 I hear) and they are on the track for a time trial before heading straight to eliminations. We will check back in once we have reached our final sixteen and let you know who’s in the dash for the cash at the end!

RAIN CANCELS REMAINING QUALIFYING TODAY AND POSTPONES THE SCREAMIN’ EAGLE HIGH STAKES SHOOT OUT.

Unexpected turn of events in qualifying at Rockingham Dragway. The rain showers have returned and we have been forced to end qualifying and delay the Screamin’ Eagle High Stakes Shoot-Out until tomorrow.

Qualifying will be laddered as we are currently and we will announce the run order tomorrow morning for elimination’s.

Not the way we would like to end our qualifying during the season finale, but Mother Nature has made a different plan for us.

Final Round Qualifying:

Doug Vancil runs a 6.266 and backs up his 6.22 and has now reset the Top Fuel record! Shigematsu ran a 6.35, not enough to back up the 6.15, but he’s just happy to be getting down the track at this point in the Championship! But the upset of the day comes from the Conner camp. A 6.98 at 220mph was not enough for Conner to get in this field with a bump spot of 6.64. This weekend looks to go in the books as the quickest Top Fuel Harley field ever for AHDRA.

The point’s leader, Dorn is trying to keep cool as are all of the riders with so much at stake in the chase this weekend.

K & K Pro Modified

Greg Krenik hits another 40..an even quicker 8.46 to close out the round with the new national record!!

In S & S Pro Stock Shaun Reno was near dead on his round 2 number (8.082), with an 8.080 and the point’s leader is solid in the top qualifying spot.

Not many changes in the order after the final round in the Rush Pro Fuel ..Matt Smith regained the lead spot in Rush Pro Gas with a 6.93…Jones and Moore stay #1 and #2 in Kresto Pro Drag …Simon stays on top in Cutter’s Foam Street Pro order.

The sportsman bikes are on the track now for the 2^nd qualifying session. Stay turned for the numbers.

SYN 3 ET Update…

Bob Drapp may have to walk home if he is depending on Donnie Huffman to get him there! Drapp just took over the No. 1 spot in the field with a .002 reaction.

With the point’s chase on between the teammates and only three point’s between them..Drapp has the early advantage today with one more round to go. Huffman who trails Drapp by the 3 points is currently qualified in the 18^th spot in the field.

4:30pm

The Syn 3 ET bikes are finishing up their 2^nd round and then we will be back with the third and final round of Pro qualifying!

Sportsman Qualifying Update:

SEP

Point’s leader, Nate Carnahan moved up one spot from 14 to 15 while Huffman slid down a couple of notches to No. 7.

Drag Masters Hot Street

Bruce Croneberger III is wrapping up his Championship season in style..he backs up his earlier 9.63 with a 9.67 in the 2^nd round for a new national record.

Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer

Douglas Horne goes quicker (9.12) and stays No. 1 and Wanda Poff makes a move into the 2n position with a better 9.13. Both Tonglet and Gonatas the current point’s leaders at one and two, both improved with a 9.19 for Tonglet for the 5^th spot and a 9.23 for Gonatas for the sixth spot. It’s going to be a battle to the end here!

Pingel Super Eliminator

Nate Carnahan bumped former leader, Jim Moran out of the top spot in the 2^nd round with a 10.906. For the point’s leader, Kevin Winters his 2^nd round moved him down in the order to No. 22. He was eleventh. Jay Wagner, who is in 2^nd place in the points moved up from No. 25 to No.7.

Bison Racing/Eagle Harley-Davidson Super Gas

This one is getting interesting…Bob Drapp takes over the No. 1 in the 2^nd round with a 9.702. The round one leader and the current point’s leader, Wanda Poff is now qualified 7^th and Jeff Stevens who is No. 2 in the standings has moved to the sixth spot, up from No. 16.

S & S Super Sport

Dean Druschel was already in the top spot with a 10.305 and in the 2^nd round today, the point’s leader clocked a 10.307 to show that he is ready to do battle for the championship title. The No. 2 and No. 3 point’s leaders Sam Lowery and Danny Boyer moved down in the order in the 2^nd round. Lowery went from seventh to No. 11 while Boyer fell to No. 23 from No. 17.

SSC 124

Mike Roberts goes quicker (9.36) and stays No. 1. Mike Motto improves and goes from 3^rd to No. 2 with a better 9.44 in the 2^nd round.

Pro Qualifying Update:

More from the Pro’s 2^nd round today:

Kresto Pro Drag

The Mid-Continent Race team is back. They didn’t make the round one order but they came out in round two and take the one and two spots. Chuck Jones is the leader with a 7.35 at 179mph and the three-time champ, Rick Moore is in the No. 2 spot with a 7.43 at 145mph.

Rush Pro Fuel

Horne stays on top and David Poague runs a 6.71/205mph to go from No. 7 to No. 2 in the order. Chris Streeter who was on the outside of the pack after yesterday’s opener is in the show now after a nice 6.77 at 193mph.

S & S Pro Stock

Current point’s leader, Shaun Reno takes the No. 1 spot with an 8.08-moving up from the sixth spot. Eddie Lee who may be satisfied with his round one number and saving wear and tear did not come out for the 2^nd round and I predict he will possibly do the same in the third. Lee is currently No. 4 in the qualifying order. Greg Krenik, who is currently No.2 in the point’s standings improved in his 2^nd round today and is now in the No. 6 spot.

Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel

The record books didn’t meet any new numbers yet..but there’s still one more round to go. The news in the Championship chase- The point’s leader, Steve Dorn improved (6.407) and move up a couple of spots to No.6 in the order, but for Mark Conner, who is second place in the national standings, problems continued and a 7.95 was not nearly enough to make this field. He has one shot left today.

Phil Schmidt his in the fifth spot with an 6.407 and Shigematsu and Vancil hold on to the one and two spots. Making a big move in the qualifying order from ten to No. 2 was Tracy Kile with a 6.35 at 199mph in the 2^nd round.

Rush Pro Gas: Junior Pippin gets in the six-second zone (6.968) and takes over the No.1 spot from fellow NHRA rider, Matt Smith.

First in the 40’s in Pro Modified..Greg Krenik clocks a 8.49! Set to take the No. 1 plate already, Krenik will now leave with a new national record!

1:15pm

We are ready to go racing here at Rockingham Dragway! We are starting the show with the Pro’s today, so stay tuned for all the numbers and watch out for those records as we are set to go in just a few minutes!

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Rain Delay Update: The skies appear to be giving us a break and Steve Earwood of Rockingham Dragway has given us an estimated time of 1:00pm to be on the track today! Stay tuned for further information as we receive it.

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Good morning from Rockingham Dragway. After yesterday’s exciting round one qualifying finish, we arrived this morning to rain on our parade! Showers have moved in to Rockingham Dragway and they look to be hanging around for at least part of the day.

With that said, we are on hold here for day two of the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Nationals Presented by Kresto. We will check back in periodically with any updates on when we may be able to put bikes on the track.

Here’s a look at yesterday’s session:

Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel

The big story was Tak Shigematsu’s huge record run (6.15/223mph) that planted him in the No. 1 qualifying spot, followed by Doug Vancil, bettering his 2006 National record with a 6.224 and breaking the MPH number with a 232.95mph pass to put himself in the No.2 spot in the order. Joey Sternotti had a consistent day in both test and tune and in his qualifying opener, clocking a 6.285 at 222mph for the No. 3 spot. Phil Schmidt ran a 6.40 at 211mph to take the No. 4 spot. So there are four out of the six that are in contention for a Championship title here at Rockingham Dragway, but where are the other two? The leader, Steve Dorn came away with a 6.543 at 215mph and took the eighth spot in the field. But for Conner, there were problems, and he did not get down the track in the first round. So while we all wait for the showers to go away, Conner is most anxious, as he awaits his chance to get in the show.

S & S Pro Stock

Seven bikes made passes in yesterday’s opening session and it was the Western Division Champ, Bruce Beltramini that came out on top of the order with an 8.26 at 151mph.

Then it was K.W. Seneca who took the No. 2 spot with an 8.61 at 139mph.

For the point’s leaders, Reno, Krenik and Lee, they are all in the order, but not perhaps with the numbers they would like to have seen.

Reno, had problems and is currently in the No. 6 spot, and Krenik had even bigger problems and is currently in the No. 7 spot. For Eddie Lee, he looked to be on a decent run but appeared to shut off at the top end for a 9.21 at 110mph. He is currently in the third spot in the order. With that, the contest is still wide open in this championship chase.

Rush Pro Fuel

Douglas Horne is set to take his National Championship trophy this weekend, but the 20 year-old rider came to The Rock to have some fun on not one, but two, nitro rides this weekend. Horne is riding a new bike this weekend in Pro Fuel competition-a bike that Mike Romine made a few passes on in Virginia. The newness seems to be adjusting nicely with the bike and rider as his 6.60 at 210mph put him at the top of the order.

Horne didn’t put his Championship Pro Fueler away while he rode the new bike, instead, he entered that bike in the Top Fuel category- but problems on that run left him out of the field so far.

Kresto Pro Drag

Mike Nolen of Ellisville, MS was the top man yesterday with an 7.48 at 165mph and rising performer in the class, Rickey House was No. 2 with a 7.55 at 172mph. Nine bikes attempted to get in the field yesterday, but we didn’t see Rick Moore get in the field in the opening session-but no worries for Moore, who has his 3^rd National title clinched.

Rush Pro Gas

NHRA Pro Stock leader and reigning champion, Matt Smith is here this weekend and started things out with a 6.97 at 188mph for the No. 1 spot. Junior Pippin also stopped in for some AHDRA action and he is in the No. 2 spot with a 7.01 at 188mph. Dale Raudenbush the soon-to-be 2008 National Champion finished his day in the third spot with a 7.56 at 177mph.

K & K Marine Pro Modified

Greg Krenik is sitting in the No. 1 spot in qualifying with a secured National Championship title and he awaits his time on the track today to attempt backing up the 8.516 record number he clocked in yesterday’s opening round. Randy Borho, who will turn over his No. 1 plate this weekend had a nice pass yesterday (8.66) and is currently No. 2 in the order. Nine bikes competed the field yesterday.

Cutter’s Foam Street Pro

Andy Simon had a nice start yesterday with an 8.75 at 153mph to take the lead spot in the order. Simon will recapture his No. plate this weekend at Rockingham Dragway.

Screamin’ Eagle Destroyer

Douglas Horne took two lead spots in yesterday’s session, first in Pro Fuel and then he clocked a 9.13 at 138mph on his Destroyer to take the pole position. Jeff Stevens and Wanda Poff finished two and three and the points leader, L.E. Tonglet came away with the No. 4 spot. Nick Gonatas who is looking to take over No. 1 this weekend is currently No. 6 in the order.

SSC 124 Challenge

Mike Roberts is locked in for a 2^nd SSC 124 title this year and after one round, he’s on top of the order with a 9.37 at 139mph. For Roberts, capping off the year with a new record would be nice-and it’s certainly possible here at The Rock.

Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod

Stan Miller is the man to beat so far in the field. Miller clocked a 9.33 at 142mph for the lead spot in the order, followed by Jim Sweet. The point’s leader, and soon-to-be National Champion, Lou Gerencer finished the day in the No. 4 spot with a 9.53 at 142mph.

DragMasters Hot Street

Bruce Croneberger III is having more fun this weekend with a wrapped up title already, Croneberger has nothing to lose. He opened his day with a 9.632, bettering the national record set by Michael Ray here in 2006. Not a bad start to his weekend!

Pingel Super Eliminator

Some new names at the top of the order in this class yesterday, including the leader after one session, Jim Moran with a 10.91 to start the day. Kevin Winters is trying to stay ahead of Jay Wagner this weekend in the Championship chase and so far Winters in the No.11 spot in the order while Wagner sits at No. 25. Thirty bikes participated in yesterday’s first round in the class.

S & S Super Sport

Dean Druschel couldn’t be in a better position right now as he looks to secure his 2^nd National Championship this weekend. The point’s leader made a statement yesterday when he opened his round with a 10.305 for the No. 1 spot. Drushel hopes to hold off Sam Lowery this weekend. Lowery opened his day with a 10.41 and is currently in the No.7 spot. Lowery and Druschel are both looking to hold off a move from Danny Boyer as well who is currently third in the national standings. Boyer is finished the day No. 17 yesterday with a 10.77.

Bison Racing/Eagle Harley-Davidson Super Gas

Another potential Champion waiting it out in a good position is Wanda Poff. She came away with the No. 1 spot yesterday with a 9.72. She is fighting off a move from Jeff Stevens this weekend in the Championship chase. Stevens finished his day in the No. 16 spot with a breakout 9.67.

SEP

There’s a string of front-runners looking for a chance at the National Championship chase. The leader, Nate Carnahan clocked a 11.77 for his first shot and is currently No. 15 in the order. Waiting to move in on Carnahan is Donnie Huffman who finished in the fifth spot with a 11.55. Keith Carper is third in the standings, but has not made a pass yet. Kevin Winters who stands to make a giant leap in the standings this weekend, is No. 2 in the qualifying order so far with a 11.52..and leading the pack after one session is Greg Best with a 11.51. Best is currently fifth in the national standings.

Syn 3 ET

Seventy-eight bikes went down the track in the opening session and it was Gene Jennings of High Point, NC taking the top spot with a .005. The Championship watch is on for Bob Drapp and Donnie Huffman who are only three points apart in the standings.

Drapp has the early advantage with a No. 6 qualifying spot while Huffman left too quick on his first shot and is currently No. 65 in the order.

FIRST IN THE TEEN’S! SHIGEMATSU MAKES HISTORY AT ROCKINGHAM DRAGWAY

October 10, 2008, Rockingham Dragway- When the All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) started qualifying today at Rockingham Dragway; the talk around the pits was the track was going to be fast this weekend. Fast indeed.

Twenty-One Screamin’ Eagle Top Fuel bikes took the track in the evening qualifying session and with a full six-second field already on the charts, Tak Shigematsu of Ehime, Japan pulled in the box for his opening pass. And on a pass that was picture-perfect from the start, the scoreboards told the remarkable story- 6.150 at 223.84mph!

Shigematsu and his crew chief, Don Johnson, stated earlier in the day that they planned to go for a 6.18 or 6.19 on the well-prepped quarter-mile dragstrip and the conditions were in their favor for the history-making prediction.

Afterwards, Shigematsu was wearing an unstoppable smile. “Unbelievable”, said Shigematsu. “I knew I was going real fast”, he added.

Johnson said that the problems the bike had encountered earlier in the season that kept them from making the field in Oregon and put them out in the first round in Virginia turned out to be bad clutch springs.

“There $2 parts”, Johnson remarked. “We changed them out, and ran a 6.30 in the Outlaw field that day in Virginia. Then we bring it out here and there you have it-6.15”.

Shigematsu spoke up and said with a big laugh, “Yes, it cost him $5, but it cost me $10,000!”

Shigematsu’s record will have to be backed up during the weekend to stand in the record books. AHDRA rules require the run to be backed up by one percent of the number.

The record heading into Rockingham was a 6.236, set by Doug Vancil at Rockingham Dragway in 2006.

Vancil, of Albuquerque, NM stood in the box ready to fire his own bike as he watched Shigematsu blaze down the track and he reacted with great excitement to see the teen’s strike in AHDRA Top Fuel competition.

And then Vancil would answer with yet another record breaking score-6.224 at 232.95, bettering his own E.T. number from 2006 and breaking the current MPH record (230.17) that was set by Shigematsu in April of this year.

With that, both Vancil and Shigematsu will be in a race not only to back up the national record numbers, but looking to move themselves into the lead spot in the National Championship chase that will be decided on Sunday at Rockingham Dragway.

Six riders are vying for the title. Steve Dorn of Gladstone, OR leads the standings. His 6.54 at 215mph put him in the No. 8 qualifying spot today. Mark Conner, of St. Louis, MO is in second place in the standings and after problems in today’s opener, he is not yet in the field. Vancil is in the third spot in the standings, followed by Phil Schmidt of Orangevale, CA (No. 4 qualifier today with a 6.40/211mph) and Shigematsu is in the fifth spot. Sixth place contender, Joey Sternotti, of Blackwood, NJ took the No. 3 spot today with an impressive 6.28 at 222mph on the Ray Price Top Fuel ride.

This line-up could all change in six-seconds, as there are still two qualifying sessions to go tomorrow, followed by Sunday’s elimination’s.

AHDRA officials report that over 300 competitors have entered the competition at the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts National’s Presented by Kresto at Rockingham Dragway. Competition starts tomorrow at 9:00am.

Other records from today’s opening round included an 8.516 from Greg Krenik in K & K Marine Pro Modified qualifying..and a 9.632 from Bruce Croneberger III in Drag Master’s Hot Street qualifying.

This is one of those weekends where there will be records falling by the round and I may miss some of them; so forgive me in advance if I miss one. But when it is all said and done and tech verifications complete, you will hear about them all on www.ahdra.com!

Friday Qualifying

TAK ROCKS!! 6.15 …6.15..!!!!

In a full ALL six-second field, Shigematsu told us earlier today he was going in the teen’s here..and he meant it! 6.15….at 223mph

VANCIL ANSWERS WITH THE SPEED….232mph!! (6.22)

Stay tuned for all the numbers!! This one has everyone on their feet!!!

Friday’s show is underway with one qualifying lap for all classes.

Skies are cloudy and temperatures are in the 70’s and if the test and tune numbers were any indication, this is going to be a fast…weekend at The Rock! In the Top Fuel test session, Tak Shigematsu started his day with a 6.30 at 222mph and Joey Sternotti is back in the seat of a new Ray Price ride and rocked the clocks with a 6.26 for his practice lap. David Poague ran record numbers on his Pro Fueler (216mph) as well in this morning’s session. It’s going to be a busy one for the record keepers this weekend!!

Qualifying began with Street Pro and we are working our way to Top Fuel and then the sportsman take the track for their Friday qualifying pass.

In K & K Pro Modified, Greg Krenik opened the session with a record 8.516. The current record (8.531). It’s early…and we have our first record number!

Catch all the action as the numbers come up for each class on the Live Update pages! As always, we will check back in here with any breaking news or delays from AHDRA’s giant season finale!!!

Schedule of Events

Friday, Oct. 10th

4pm Round One Qualifying - All Classes

Saturday, Oct. 11th

9:00am -Qualifying begins for Sportsman

11:00am-Qualifying begins for Pros

(2 rounds of qualifying for all classes)

5:00pm - Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Shootout

One time trial round immediately followed by eliminations.

Sunday, Oct. 12th

9:00am - Sportsman Eliminations

12:15pm - Opening Ceremonies

12:30pm - Pro Eliminations begin

Monday, Oct. 13th

2008 "Night of Champions" Awards Banquet

The Fair Barn in Pinehurst, NC

5:00 pm Cocktails / 6:00 pm Dinner

Reservations Required