Winston-Salem, NC, October 21, 2009 - The All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) ended the 2009 Screamin' Eagle Championship Series in Rockingham, NC, on October 11, 2009.

The Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Jim McClure Nationals was full of excitement and down-to-the wire competition for the coveted national championship titles, which is just the way Jim McClure, 19-time Top Fuel Harley-Davidson National Champion, would have wanted it to be.

The weather was forecast to be cloudy and humid, with possible showers-but even so, over 200 race entries turned out for the grand finale while nearly 9,000 nitro-hungry fans showed up to take in all the action.

In Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel, the number one qualifier was Phil Schmidt from Orangevale, CA, riding for Schmidt Racing, who qualified with a 6.312 at 216 mph.

What an exciting day it was for the Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel racers! There was a full 16-bike field ready to try to capture that winner's trophy and over $10,000 in cash and contingency awards. The racers had to focus on winning the race first, with the championship falling into place with the outcome.

He thanked his crew: Mike Slonaker, Mike Stegmann, Digger, and Sonny. He would especially like to thank George Latus and Team Latus Motors Harley-Davison for making it all possible.

In the finals it was Douglas Horne from Aberdeen, MD, riding for Horne Racing, and Steve Dorn from Oregon City, OR, riding for Team Latus Motors Harley-Davidson Racing. This was only the second time that Horne had entered the Top Fuel class, and he made it to the finals both times. He got the light on Dorn with a .036/6.495/191 mph, but it was Dorn who ran a .043/6.341/216 mph and took the win.

Dorn said, "If you have 16 bikes qualify in Top Fuel, even the number 16 guy has a chance of winning the race. It is very hard to win even one race in this class, let alone a championship. I think that everyone in Top Fuel will agree with this. We did not qualify as good as we wanted to, but were able to step it up on Sunday when it mattered most."

Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel winner - Steve Dorn

Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel #1 qualifier - Phil Schmidt

In Rush Pro Fuel, the number one qualifier was Douglas Horne from Aberdeen, MD, riding for Horne Racing, who qualified with a 6.548 at 203 mph.

After racing his NHRA Pro Stock Buell for three weeks in a row, Horne came to Rockingham and his AHDRA roots to have some fun and run fast!

With a 15-bike field on Sunday in the finals, Horne met Jack Romine from Casa Grande, AZ, riding for Romine Racing. Romine had lane choice after running a 6.54 in the semis on Jim Fagan's Pro Fuel bike. Horne got the better reaction time off the tree, but at mid track he experienced tire spin and dropped a cylinder, slowing to a 7.17/160 mph. However, Horne took the win when Romine had problems early on and only ran a 12.848/64 mph.

Doug thanked his crew chief, Rex Harris, who had his EPC unit on all four bikes in the Top Fuel and Pro Fuel finals; Mike and Patty Romine, who had their Romine Racing Motors in all four bikes in Top Fuel; Energy One Clutches; Red Line Oil; Chesapeake Harley-Davidson; Maryland Portable Concrete; Cecil County Dragway; and Horne Concrete.

Rush Pro Fuel winner - Douglas Horne

Rush Pro Fuel #1 qualifier - Douglas Horne

In Verve Drag Racing.com Pro Stock, the number one qualifier was Andy Simon from Fairless Hills, PA, riding for Simon Racing, who qualified with an 8.08 at 160 mph.

Simon has only competed in two national events this year and after getting a red light in the semifinals in Bristol, he was not going to have that happen this weekend. He cut good lights all weekend, but the highlight was a record-setting run during the semifinals of 7.966, breaking Junior Pippin's record of 7.974, set back in 2007.

Simon backed up his record in the finals with a run of .033/8.014/161 mph for the win against Shaun Reno from Hayes, VA, riding for HeadBlade Racing, who ran a .051/8.047/156 mph.

Simon would like to thank Foster Harley-Davidson, World Wide Bearing, Jesel Valvetrain, Lazano Brothers, Wimmer Machine, CP Pistons, Black Widow Cams, and his wife and kids for all their support.

Verve Drag Racing.com Pro Stock winner - Andy Simon

Verve Drag Racing.com Pro Stock #1 qualifier - Andy Simon

In Rush Pro Gas, the number one qualifier was Matt Smith from King, NC, riding for Matt Smith Racing, who qualified with a 7.023 at 186 mph.

Smith and his fiancée Angie McBride took some time off from their busy schedule with the NHRA and their wedding plans to come out and have some fun racing with the AHDRA.

They met each other in the finals. Smith cut a good light and ran a .025/8.402/107 mph, but he had bike problems halfway down the track. McBride scored the win with a run of .062/6.985/184 mph.

Rush Pro Gas winner - Angie McBride

Rush Pro Gas #1 qualifier - Matt Smith

In AHDRA Pro Drag, the number one qualifier was Chuck Jones from St. Petersburg, FL, riding for Mid-Continent Racing, who qualified with a 7.289 at 174 mph.

Jones went into Rockingham with the national championship wrapped up and no chance for any of the other racers to catch him. He went to the finals and ran a .165/7.283/165 mph for the win against Mike Nolen from Ellisville, MS, riding for Cycle Barn Racing, who ran a .174/7.451/173 mph.

Jones said, "Mike Bahnmaier [bike owner and crew chief] wanted to try some changes he had worked on over last winter. We hadn't tried them since St. Louis because we were chasing points and stuck with our tested combination. By the third round of qualifying, Mike was able to put me back in the number one spot and we felt that if the weather would hold out for Sunday, we had a good chance to lay down some good times. Without the help of a computer, Mike was able to tune ET bracket bike performance into my bike and I was able to get the win. A great end to a terrific season!"

Jones thanked Bahnmaier for the opportunity to ride his bike, and all the work he did to keep Chuck running so strong. Special thanks to his crewmembers Dave Larson, Drew Moldenhauer, and Jody Dukelow for their great job between rounds. "A great big thank you to my lady, Margo White, for all her support and encouragement all these years, and the rest of the Mid-Continent team, Tommy, Freddie, Johnny, Travis, Randy, Rick, Riki, and Renee. I'd also like to thank my sponsors, Gates Belts, Energy One Clutches, Robbins Performance, Mike's Metal Polishing of Ransom, KS, and Saum Engineering.

AHDRA Pro Drag winner - Chuck Jones

AHDRA Pro Drag #1 qualifier - Chuck Jones

In K & K Marine Pro Modified the number one qualifier was Greg Krenik from Corrales, NM, riding for Desert Dawg Racing, who qualified with an 8.554 at 154 mph.

Krenik was not in the chase for the championship but was out defending his title and #1 plate. He made it to the finals and ran a .039/8.722/150 mph against Tom Hannum from Wayne, PA, riding for Hannum's Harley-Davidson, who ran a .036/8.651/149 mph and got the win!

Hannum said, "We had a great weekend! We had only attended one other race this year in Ohio, but didn't do very well. So, before the finals at the Rock we had made several trips over to Atco, NJ, to practice and test-and- tune. Thanks to Joe Sway, track owner, who gave us some special test-and- tune time! It paid off great. Things kept getting better for us as the weekend went on, which is normally opposite of what really happens. It was amazing that our bike went 8.57 with 70 pounds bolted on in round 1 on Sunday. We got lucky getting a bye in round 2, and then in the semis we saw Doc Goodwin from Tupelo, MS (this year's champion), and got lucky on the light and made it to the finals. Then the finals-wow, to beat Krenik (last year's big DAWG) put the icing on the cake! We were just going to the Rock to have a good time. Who would have ever thought we would win the biggest race of the year?"

Hannum thanked Simons Performance, Hannum Harley-Davidson, and McNally Racing for all their support. He added, "I would also like to thank Andy Simon and Randy Long, as they were very helpful in getting us ready for Rockingham. Special thanks to Earl, Ronnie, Matt, and my 6-year-old son Thomas for keeping things going all weekend!"

K & K Marine Pro Modified winner - Tom Hannum

K & K Marine Pro Modified #1 qualifier - Greg Krenik

In Right Quick Street Pro, the number one qualifier was Charley Douglass from Staunton, VA, riding for Douglass Racing, who qualified with a 9.451 at 145 mph.

Douglass advanced to the finals after running 9.5s all day and would run against Mike Roberts from Clinton, OH, riding for Bandit Racing. Douglass ran a .363/9.927/147 mph, but Roberts snagged the win with a run of .101/9.066/143 mph.

Roberts stated, "I didn't qualify as good as I wanted, so we tore the bike down Saturday night and found out that all the new parts we just put on the bike had broken. We had to put all the old parts back on, but it paid off when it really mattered."

He thanked Regina Chain, Barnett Clutches, All Balls, and Brush Bandit Tree, with a special thanks to Joe's Hawg Shop for all their help this year.

Right Quick Street Pro winner - Mike Roberts

Right Quick Street Pro #1 qualifier - Charley Douglass

In Bison Racing/Vreeland's Harley-Davidson Super Gas, the number one qualifier was Frank Howell from Spartanburg, SC, riding for Fast Franks Drag Racing, who qualified with a 9.707 at 134 mph.

In the finals, the racers were Robby Heflin from Lillington, NC, and Chris Sansevere from Palm City, FL, riding for Holeshot Racing. Both racers cut almost identical lights at the tree and broke out at the big end of the track. Heflin ran a .166/9.648/131 mph against Sansevere's .165/9.673/122 mph, which got the win.

Sansevere finished fourth in the points with two wins (Bristol/Rockingham) in Super Gas. He also got a runner-up finish (Atlanta) and a number one qualifier (Rockingham) in the AHDRA 124 Challenge.

He thanked Toyota of Stuart, Holeshot Cycles, Gateway Drywall, Severe Cycles, and, most important, his wife and kids.

Bison Racing/Vreeland's Harley-Davidson Super Gas winner - Chris Sansevere

Bison Racing/Vreeland's Harley-Davidson Super Gas #1 qualifier - Frank Howell

In Screamin' Eagle V-Rod, the number one qualifier was Jim Sweet from Osceola, IN, riding for Sweet Racing, who qualified with a 9.473 at 141 mph.

The finals saw Rich Vreeland from Bloomsburg, PA, riding for Vreeland's Harley-Davidson Racing and running a .189/10.024/137 mph against Lou Gerencer from Elkhart, IN, who scored the win with a .187/9.557/143 mph.

Gerencer commented, "What a great weekend! We did not change a sprocket or touch the clutch all weekend. The only thing we had to do was add a little gas to make sure we weighed enough. I did not qualify very well, though, and had to meet my buddy, Jim Sweet, in the first round. We had fun battling over the points all season long, but I got the win, which also gave me the championship."

Gerencer thanked his sponsors: his Dad, Hoosier Harley-Davidson, Simeri's Tavern, Comp Cams, Powershieldcoating.com, Fitzgerald Motorsports, G & R Transport, and Team Nila. "A special thanks: I could not have done this without the help from my crew, Dad, Willis, Tim, Crack, Jeff, and the support of my family," he said.

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod winner - Lou Gerencer

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod #1 qualifier - Jim Sweet

In AHDRA Super Sport, the number one qualifier was Danny Bolt from Reynoldsburg, OH, riding for MNA Customs, who qualified with a 10.317 at 109 mph.

In the finals, it was Joey Thomson from Hopewell, NJ, riding for Thomson Racing facing Donnie Huffman from Lakeland, FL riding for Huffman Racing. Thomson cut a better light and ran a .034/10.374/114 mph, but Huffman caught him at the big end, running a .061/10.339/110 mph for the win.

Donnie stated, "Dean Druschel [the '08 champ from Swanton, OH, riding for Poor Boys Racing.org] and I have been in the points battle all season long. On Sunday, eliminations came down to this: the champ and I are on the same side of the ladder. We would meet in the semis and then find out who the next champ was going to be. Well, Druschel went out in the first round and I had a no show to advance to the next round. That is not the way I wanted this to happen for the '08 champ. I then was in the final round with Joey Thomson, who is always tough and could focus on just winning the race."

Huffman thanked Harley-Davidson of Lakeland, FL, Vanson Leathers, and especially his mom and dad, Janice and Don Huffman. He also gave a big thanks to Bob Drapp, Kevin Winters, and Andy Simon for all their help this season.

AHDRA Super Sport winner - Donnie Huffman

AHDRA Super Sport #1 qualifier - Danny Bolt

In AHDRA 124 Challenge, the number one qualifier was Chris Sansevere from Palm City, FL, riding for Holeshot Racing, who qualified with a 9.515 at 137 mph.

Sansevere was having a great weekend, having already scored a win in the Super Gas class, but was facing the defending national champion in the finals, Mike Roberts from Clinton, OH, riding for Bandit Racing. Roberts said he knew he had the championship already won but really wanted to concentrate on winning the race.

Sansevere cut a great light and ran a .007/9.388/140 mph, but he wasn't able to beat Roberts, who set a new ¼ ET record on his run of .204/8.933/146 mph.

Roberts thanked Regina Chain, Barnett Clutches, All Balls, and Brush Bandit Tree, with a special thanks to Joe's Hawg Shop for all their help this year.

AHDRA 124 Challenge winner - Mike Roberts

AHDRA 124 Challenge #1 qualifier - Chris Sansevere

In Rush Super Eliminator, the number one qualifier was David Higgs from Ormond Beach, FL, riding for Wild Pig Pipes Racing, who qualified with a 10.902 at 120 mph.

Keith Carper from Laurel, MD, and Lane Boger from Greensboro, NC, riding for Boger Racing met each other in the finals; both racers had some tough competitors to beat to make it there. Carper got a red light, though, and ran a -.009/10.861/110 mph, giving the win to Boger, who ran a .081/24.198/27 mph.

Boger thanked Cox's Harley-Davidson, Tilly Harley-Davidson, and Davis Harley-Davidson for all their support.

Rush Super Eliminator winner - Lane Boger

Rush Super Eliminator #1 qualifier - David Higgs

In AHDRA Hot Street, the number one qualifier was Bruce Croneberger III from Cressona, PA, riding for Schaeffers Harley-Davidson Racing, who qualified with a 9.768 at 135 mph.

Croneberger headed into this event with the championship already clinched, but he was out to have a great time racing with all his buddies. He advanced to the finals against Jimmy McMillan from Deland, FL, riding for MMI Race Team. McMillan ran a .212/10.159/131 mph, but that just wasn't enough against Croneberger's .107/10.059/135 mph for the win.

Croneberger thanked all the guys who race with him in Hot Street. "They are a great group and it is a lot of fun racing with them," he said. He also thanked his dad for all of his help at the track and back at the shop, and especially his wife for keeping things in line at home while he is away "playing." Lastly, thanks go out to his sponsors, Schaeffers Harley-Davidson, SA Racing, CP Pistons, Axtell, Carillo Rods, and Regina Chain for their continued support throughout the season.

AHDRA Hot Street winner - Bruce Croneberger III

AHDRA Hot Street #1 qualifier - Bruce Croneberger III

In Screamin' Eagle SEP, the number one qualifier was Tracy Craghead from Rocky Mount, VA, riding for Heathens & Hardheads Racing, who qualified with an 11.502 at 103 mph.

In the finals, it was Nate Carnahan from Richmond, VA, riding for BC Racing and Kevin Winters from Richmond, IL, riding for Winters Racing. Carnahan got a red light and ran a -.018/11.716/114 mph, giving the win to Winters and his .065/11.575/95 mph.

Winters commented, "Mechanical problems plagued my defense of the 2008 SE Super Eliminator Championship. Twice during the year mechanical failures hurt my progress, forcing me to race my teammates' bikes (thanks, Donnie!). As we headed to Rockingham, the pressure was on to replace the engine in my Buell during Friday's test-and-tune. Going into Saturday's qualifying on an untested motor, there was a lot of uncertainty. With a full field in the SEP class, I qualified 13th and was optimistic for Sunday's eliminations. On Sunday, things went very well for me; I battled my opponents until the final round and took the SEP class win. Getting the win was a great way to close out a rough season."

He thanked his sponsors, M&L Financing, F&S Enterprises, McHenry Harley Davidson, and Huffman Racing, and contingency sponsors Red Line Oil, Vanson Leathers, and Mickey Thompson. "More thanks go to the Winters Racing crewmembers-Betty Winters, Mike Hansen, and Brian Buell. Thanks also to Bob Drapp for his "professor wisdom" at the track, and lastly, a special thanks to teammate Donnie Huffman. I wouldn't have been here this year with out his help," said Winters.

Screamin' Eagle SEP winner - Kevin Winters

Screamin' Eagle SEP #1 qualifier - Tracy Craghead

In Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer, the number one qualifier was Nick Gonatas Jr. from Corland, OH, riding for Warren Harley-Davidson Racing, who qualified with a 9.392 at 140 mph.

Gonatas advanced throughout the day and made it to the finals against Wanda Poff from York, PA, riding for Pofformance Racing. She ran a .093/9.415/139 mph, but it was Gonatas who scored the win with a run of .067/9.341/137 mph. "Wanda is always tough competition when you meet up with her, but I was happy to bring home another win at the last event of the year for Warren Harley-Davidson," said Gonatas.

He thanked Warren Harley-Davidson, Ralph C Buss-The Motorcycle Attorney, and Gem-Young Insurance for all their support this season.

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer winner - Nick Gonatas Jr.

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer #1 qualifier - Nick Gonatas Jr.

Screamin' Eagle Syn 3 ET winner - Bob Drapp

In Screamin' Eagle Syn 3 ET, the number one qualifier was Donald Hebert from East Providence, RI, riding for Skull Brothers Racing, who qualified with a reaction time of 0.005.

With over 66 bikes in the field of competition, Kevin Gauntt from Egg Harbor City, NJ, and Bob Drapp from Winter Haven, FL, riding for MMI Race Team, made it to the finals. Gauntt dialed in with an 11.25, but he redlit and ran a -.022/11.334/116 mph against Drapp, who dialed in with a 9.69 and ran a .251/9.799/129 mph for the win.

Drapp—"The Professor," as racers have nicknamed him for his long years of racing and knowledge of the sport‹had a lot of pressure on him during this last event of the year. The chase was on to take away his two-year reign as the national champion. Drapp commented on Sunday, "I am focusing on taking it round by round for the win and the outcome will be what it is." Again the professor showed his wisdom about what to focus on first—and he got the job done. "There couldn't be a better way to end the season than having a win at the Rock" stated Drapp.

Drapp would like to thank his wife Mary Ann, Donnie Huffman, Don and Janice Huffman, Harley-Davidson Buell of Lakeland, Kevin and Betty Winters, Jimmy and Stacey McMillan, and Ken and Beverly Howe for all their support this season.

Outlaw Fuel winner - Tracy Kile

Outlaw Fuel

The winner in Outlaw Fuel was Tracy Kile from Leicester, NC, riding for Bad Apple Racing, with a two-run combined average of 6.447. The runner-up was Derrick Nelson from Windham, OH, riding for Harvester Racing, with a two-run combined average of 6.798.

"King of the Rock"

This was the first year that the AHDRA had a "King of the Rock" gamblers race in Rockingham. The competition was open to anyone who wanted to compete using the full tree and a gas Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

It turned out to be a lot of fun for everyone, but out of 40 racers only one could go home as the "King of the Rock." All competitors were given one run to figure out what their bike should be dialed in at; their reaction times would also then determine the first round lane choice.

As the excitement built, round by round, John Price from Emmitsburg, MD, riding for Hi Price Racing, and Sam Lowery Jr. from Pembroke, NC, riding for Cape Fear Harley-Davison, were the duo who made it to the final round.

Price dialed in with a 10.55 and ran a .096/10.521/122 mph-but Lowery dialed in with a 10.10 and ran a .113/10.106/127 mph, claiming the crown as the 2009 "King of the Rock."

He took home $2,400 for winning, and Price claimed $1,200 for being the runner-up. Lowery said, "I was behind in the points chase in my classes, so I had no worries and wanted to go out and just have some fun at my home track. What a great weekend!"

King of the Rock winner - Sam Lowery Jr.

King of the Rock runner-up - John Price