Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel winner - David "Jay" Turner (Julian, NC)

Saturday was definitely an experience for some of the Top Fuel racers and the challenges they faced in the shutdown area. Tommy Grimes of Mid-Continent Racing and Phil Schmidt of Schmidt Racing experienced it first hand and ended up going into the "kitty litter" at the end of the track, but would still make it out on Sunday for eliminations. Phil had this to say about the experience: "I decided to try something different in the first round on Sunday by shutting the engine down right after crossing the finish line to see if it would help in getting the bike stopped. It made a HUGE difference for me, despite going nearly 230 mph. It was like I suddenly had double the run-out length! I'm going to make this a permanent process for me from now on."

Joe Sternotti, racing for Ray Price Harley Davidson, took the #1 qualifying spot on Saturday with a 6.250/225 mph on his last run of the day. He faced off against Jay Turner of Jay Turner Racing in the semifinals and had some problems, giving the win to Jay, who advanced and went up against Mike Romine of JTR Racing in the finals. Jay ran a .099/6.465/215 mph against Mike's .044/6.675/194 mph, giving Jay both the first win of the year in the Top Fuel class and the points lead. Jay Turner Racing would like to thank their sponsors: Quick Way Trucking, AB & H Excavating, T Man Performance, and K & K Marine.

Rush Pro Fuel winner Douglas Horne (Aberdeen, MD)

What an exciting weekend we had in Rush Pro Fuel. Doug Horne of Aberdeen, MD, who is also now racing in the NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock Motorcycle Series, had an outstanding weekend. He first went out on Saturday qualifying and become the #1 qualifier in the class with a 6.487/212 mph on his first pass, thus setting the pace for the weekend. Then, on Sunday's first round of eliminations against Will Simplot, Doug set a new AHDRA MPH record of 215.89 in the ¼ mile and backed it up, taking the win in the finals with a 6.574/215.58 mph against Randal Andras, who ran a 6.819/194.24 mph.

Doug also had his NHRA Pro Stock bike on hand and saw a lot of people who had either been to Atlanta NHRA or watched on ESPN2. Doug said, "I'm very happy to be back racing in the AHDRA where I first started on the V-Rod Destroyer. I really enjoy riding this Pro Fuel Nitro Harley in the Rush Pro Fuel class. I want to thank everyone who came up and offered me encouragement on the Pro Stock Buell." Doug also thanked his sponsors: Chesapeake Harley-Davidson, Red Line Oil, Maryland Portable Concrete, Rocket Management, and Rex Harris for doing a great job tuning the bike despite the rising track temperatures all weekend.

Pro Stock winner Mark Venia (Toledo, OH)

In AHDRA Pro Stock, Mark Venia of Dyno Power would take the #1 Qualifying spot on his last pass of the day with an 8.125/161.67 mph. Mark would make it to the finals and win with a .030/8.110/165 mph against Shaun's .087/8/097/167 mph. Mark had been out of the AHDRA racing scene for 2 years as he was focusing on his business. He was anxious to get back into racing this year and has a new crew consisting of Ray Deselms and Paul Peer. Mark stated, "These guys are new to this sport and the team and it has been a great. They have acted like they had been around for 10 years and have even made new tools to help in tuning the bike, I am so happy to have them aboard". Mark would also like to thank Rob Schopf at Hal's Harley Davidson for all their support.

Pro Drag winner Chuck Jones (St Petersburg, FL)

AHDRA Pro Drag would prove to be a great weekend for Chuck Jones of St. Petersburg, FL, who was racing for Mid-Continent Racing. Chuck's first and only run during Saturday qualifying put him in the #1 qualifying spot with a 7.354/177mph. His first run on Sunday was a bye and he just broke the beam to advance. This placed him into the semifinals against Rocky Jackson of Fass Coonass Racing. Rocky has some bike issues and didn't make a complete pass, leaving Chuck with a 7.336/175.37 and sending him into the finals against Scott Truett of Truett & Osborn Cycles. Chuck came back to the finals and had the best pass of the day with a 7.340/180 mph for the win against Scott's 8.019/165.19. Scott thanked his sponsors: Nungesser Engineering, Chromatic Racing, and Truett & Osborn Cycles.

Rush Pro Gas winner Jay Wagner (Warsaw, IN)

In Rush Pro Gas, Rick Moore rode for Banky Racing and took the #1 qualifying spot with a 7.761/171 mph. But it was Jay Wagner of Maverick Racing (Warsaw, IN) who made it to the finals and took the win. Jay ran a .050/7.848/166 mph against Rick's .061/7.851/164 mph. Jay noted, "This was a new motor we put in the bike and it proved to be great and got us to the finals and a win. This is my as well as Bob's [owner and crew chief Bob Wagner] first win in a Pro class, and we hope that there are many more to come!" Jay would like to thank his sponsors: Maverick Motorcycle, Fora Racing Heads, and Starlite Estates.

K&K Marine Pro Modified winner Bob "Doc" Goodwin (Tupelo, MS)

In K & K Marine Pro Modified, Shane Pendergrast of Double Trouble Racing, out of Murfreesboro, TN, took the #1 qualifying spot on Saturday on his last pass of the day with an 8.861/153 mph. However, Bob "Doc" Goodwin of Goodwin Chiropractic qualified third and advanced through the field for the win in Atlanta. In the finals, Doc faced up with Bruce Chandler, the #2 qualifier, and ran a .042/8.913/146 mph for the win against Bruce's .319/8.865/151 mph. Doc commented, "Atlanta was our first win-finally, after nine years of trying! We didn't have the fastest bike out there and even broke a belt the round before the finals. But we were sure happy with the outcome." Doc thanked Steve Allstaedt of SA Racing and Stephen Foster of Foster Harley-Davidson for all their help.

Street Pro winner Lou Gerencer (Elkhart, IN)

In AHDRA Street Pro, Lou Gerencer of Elkhart, IN, was the #1 qualifier in the class with an 8.903/156 mph. As Lou commented, " This is only the fourth time down the track on this bike and is the fastest it's ever been." He started his Sunday eliminations with a bye in the first round and ran an 8.920/152 mph, moving into the semifinals against Mike Motto of Holeshot Cycles. After the win against Mike, Lou raced against Austin Cheek of SPS Racing. It was a great, close drag race, with Lou running a .097/8.981/155.92 mph for the win against Austin's .091/9.021/149 mph. Lou would like to thank his sponsors: Simeris Tavern, Coach Guard, Hoosier Harley-Davidson, Comp Cams, and his mom and dad.

Bison/Vreeland's Harley-Davidson Super Gas winner
Scott Kirkpatrick (New Ellenton, SC)

Bison Racing and Vreeland's Harley-Davidson Super Gas, a 9.70 index class, once again had a great field of competitors. Frank Genzale and the Smoky & The Bandit racing team from Fresh Meadows, NY, took the #1 qualifying spot with a 9.703/128.05.

It would be a rookie, though-Scott Kirkpatrick, racing for the first time for Mr. Kelly Keenan and the All American Company-who got lucky and made it to the winner's circle over the weekend. Scott, his wife Laura, and Kelly were all impressed with the helpfulness and guidance that everyone showed them at the track. Scott noted, "Frank and Dale Nilles really went out of their way to help us get the bike tuned up right and consistent all day. Though I felt sorry (but sure had fun!) when I had Dale in the second round and I ran a .045/10.168 against Dale's .087/23.975, and I took the win. It was a great weekend to come up and race against some of the best-like Bob Drapp, Greg Best, and then to have Wanda Poff of Pofformance Racing in the finals…Wow, how lucky I was to have gotten this far!" Scott ran a .077/10.053/137 mph for the win against Wanda's .050/9.634/118.06, pushing her out the back door. Scott also said that he wasn't planning on going to the next race in Norwalk, OH, but after that win and great experience, how could he not go? He thanked his sponsors: Kelly Keenan (bike owner), All American Company, and his wife Laura, for all their help and support.

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod winner Jim Sweet (Osceola, IN)

Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts V-Rod class was an exciting and competitive weekend for the Sweet Racing Team. Jim Sweet, of Osceola, IN, captured the #1 qualifying spot on Saturday with a 9.426/144 mph. On Sunday, he was up against fellow Hoosier and Harley-Davidson racer Lou Gerencer. Jim ran a .186/9.339/145 mph against Lou's .061/9.514/143 mph.

Jim recalled, "It was a great weekend for the Sweet Racing team. The weather was beautiful and it was nice to see all of our racing friends again. The highlight of the weekend was competing "neck and neck" with Lou in the finals and setting a new national ¼ MPH record. The bike was running great! It was also wonderful to see our fellow Hoosiers, Lou Gerencer and Jay Wagner, win in Street Pro and Pro Gas. We are grateful for the support we received from our friends and pit mates. A special thanks to Lou, Willis, Steve, and Charlie, and my sponsors: Hoosier Harley- Davidson and Simeris Tavern."

Super Sport winner Sam Lowery Jr (Pembroke, NC)

In AHDRA Super Sport, a 10.30 index class, David Israel of D & S Racing of Lima, NY, took the #1 qualifying spot on his first pass out on Saturday, running a 10.304/128 mph and eventually making it to the finals.

The current #2 plate holder, Sam Lowery Jr., of Cape Fear Harley-Davidson Racing of Pembroke, NC, had his bike tuned great this weekend. Sam went out all day Sunday during eliminations and ran a 10.325/10.302/10.319, putting him in the finals against Israel. Sam took the win with a .100/10.319/126 mph against David's .076/10.260/128 mph. Sam thanks his sponsors: Cape Fear Harley-Davidson, Gene and Pat Howell, Smoking Guns Tattoos, Valley Auto World, Dale Harris CPA, Cape Fear H.O.G. Chapter-and his wife, Annette, for all her help and support.

124 Challenge winner Mike Roberts (Clinton, OH)

AHDRA 124 Challenge gave Bandit Racing a record-breaking, #1 qualifying, and winning weekend! Mike Roberts of Clinton, OH, took the #1 qualifying spot on Saturday, running a 9.138/147 mph.

Mike spent most of his winter rebuilding his bike, but he and his better half, Amy, also got to welcome their new daughter, Lydia Michelle, to the world. It certainly was wonderful to see her at the track and getting used to the smells and sounds of her family's passion for racing.

Mike set a new 1/8-mile ET record in AHDRA 124 Challenge with a 5.775. He met up with Chris Sansevere of Holeshot Racing, Palm City, FL, for the finals. Mike ran a .224/9.286/143 mph for the win against Chris's .127/9.647/137 mph. Mike thanks his sponsors: Joe's Hawg Shop, Regina Chain, Brush Bandit Tree Service, and Barnett Clutches.

Rush Super Eliminator winner Nate Carnahan (Richmond, VA)

Rush Super Eliminator, a 10.90 index class, witnessed Nick Gonatas Jr. of Warren Harley-Davidson of Cortland, OH, gaining the #1 qualifying spot in this class as well as in the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts V-Rod Destroyer class. Nick qualified with a 10.926/107 mph.

Nate Carnahan of BC Racing of Richmond, VA, made it through the field of tough competitors as well as against the current national champion, Kevin Winters, to make it to the finals. Nate was on top of things on Sunday, cutting near-perfect lights and running the number all day long. He met Jay Wagner of Maverick Racing (Warsaw, IN), and pushed Jay out the back door. Nate's impressive light and time of .001/11.014/117 mph gave him the win against Jay's .064/10.838/108 mph. Nate thanked his sponsor Departure Bike Works for all their help and support.

Hot Street winner Bruce Croneberger III (Cressana PA)

In the AHDRA Hot Street class, it was a great weekend for Schaeffers Harley-Davidson Racing. Two-time national Hot Street champion and current 1/8 & 1/4 National ET & MPH record holder, Bruce Croneberger of Cressona, PA, snagged the #1 qualifying spot with a 9.688/135 mph on his first pass of the day. "It was great to be back at the track, having fun with my friends," he said. "I am really happy to have my bike running as quick and fast as it is, with really no track time to dial anything in."

In the finals, Bruce ran a .191/9.905 mph for the win against a .044/10/387/129.48 mph from Vance Houdyshell of Houdyshell Racing out of Vero Beach, FL. Bruce would like to thank his sponsors for all their support: Schaeffers Harley-Davidson, SA Racing, Axtell Sales, CP Pistons, and Regina Chain.

Screamin' Eagle Performance SEP winner Dale Nilles (Arvada, CO)

Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts SEP class, a 11.50 index class, would see the #1 qualifying spot go to Troy Young of Young Racing from Wirtz, VA. Troy would qualify with a 11.501/107mph on his first pass of the day Saturday and set the standard high for the rest of the racers.

On Sunday though it would was Dale Nilles of Punisher Racing from Arvada, CO that would get the pleasure of making it to the winner's circle. Dale would face up against Brad Croneberger of Schaeffers Harley Davidson Racing in the finals. Dale and Brad are both running fast in the class and certainly made it a close race to watch. Dale ran a .047/11.460/110mph for the win against Brad's .024/11.478/116mph.

Dale stated "My best race of the weekend wasn't even in SEP but in SE up against Dean Druschel where I ran a perfect 10.900 and got beat by a hole shot. I just wanted to say that it was great to get a win and to finish a whole weekend of racing. A special thanks goes out to NRHS (Dan Norlin) for their work on my Buell during the off season, Max Morath for tuning and setting the bike up." Dale would also like to thank his sponsors: ComCables, High Country Harley Davidson, Black Widow Cams, and Northern Colorado Cabling who back him 100% and without them couldn't be doing this. As always, Dale would like to thank his wife, Jan, for all her support, help at the track, and everything else that she does for Punisher Racing.

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer winner Jeff Stevens (Bloomington, IN)

The Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts V-Rod Destroyer class saw Nick Gonatas Jr. of Warren Harley-Davidson snag his second #1 qualifying spot for the weekend, running a 9.408/147 mph on his first pass of the day.

Jeff Stevens of Do-Rock Racing rode his way to his first win in the class. "This win was a great team effort," he said. "We had been to the finals before in this class, but couldn't get the win. This time we did! Our bikes performed really well all weekend and Richard Hankins did an excellent job of tuning. We qualified third in the Super Gas class, qualified second in V-Rod Destroyer, and got the win, so overall it was a fantastic weekend for us." Jeff was paired with Wanda Poff of Pofformance Racing for her second final of the weekend, and he posted a .029/9.436/142.57 mph for the win against Wanda's .063/9.461/145.31.

Do-Rock Racing is sponsored by Harley-Davidson/Buell of Bloomington, French Lick Harley-Davidson, and Lucas Oil Products.

Syn3 ET winner Jimmy McMillan (Orlando, FL)

Finally, in Syn3 ET, the #1 qualifier was Donnie Huffman of Huffman Racing of Lakeland, FL, with a perfect .000 reaction time. Donnie was also presented (by Randy Snyder) a check for $150.00 from Full Throttle magazine.

It would be the teammates from Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Jimmy McMillan and Bob Drapp, who would make it to the finals on Sunday in Syn3 ET. Jimmy had this to say about his day on Sunday:

"Things happen really fast in ET. Early in the morning, we all line up in the lanes wondering who will roll up next to us. There is no ladder in the morning in ET; it is just the luck of the draw. You could be up against a first timer or the champ; there really is no telling. The next thing you know, a track person is asking for your dial in…then he signals you forward…you back in the water box…do a burnout and to the line. Ready, set, go! If you win…it's back to staging for another back-to-back round. Win again? Do it again! Before you know it, you've made it through and you're thinking, 'Man, what just happened?' At least that's what I thought Sunday morning.

"After the pros officially started the show, I lined up against Toni Blevins. Little did I know this round was going to be the best race of the weekend! She dialed a 10.90 and ran a 10.902! I dialed a 10.28 and ran a 10.298. As with many races, it was the advantage at the tree that decided the winner. Great race!

"The next round, I was up against the 'Karaoke King,' Donnie Huffman. I gave up a tenth of a second on the tree (probably because I had a flashback of the night before when Donnie was on the microphone), but he had a little problem getting into third gear and I just motored on by.

"In the semis I took on Garrett Owens. He was really on the number this weekend! His previous rounds netted some very close numbers: an 11.804 on an 11.80 dial and an 11.51 on an 11.50 dial. This race was decided on the tree again; we both had really lousy lights but I got the advantage and the win. He told me earlier that he never made it this far before. Great job, Mr. Owens!

"In the staging lanes, just before the finals, I realized I was going to have to take on my teammate, Bob Drapp, who also happens to be national champion. You see, Bob and I work together at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando. We even teach the same classes, Screamin' Eagle Performance Engine Building and Dyno Operations, and we also rode up to Commerce together. We help each other all day; now we were in the water box against each other. It all changes once you back into the BOX. Everything changes! We took our time getting to the starting line, but when the lights came down, we were gone. I left first with a .092 to Bob's .117, but he caught up and passed me just before half-track. When he pressed the button for third, nothing happened, he had to double shift into fourth but it was too late. I got out ahead and stayed there for the win. What a great weekend! I want to thank Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Bob Drapp, Terry Emig, Kim Krummel, Vance Houdyshell, T.F.F., Nolan Weekley, and my wife, Stacey."