National Sand Drag News - WMSD May '09 Recap

West Michigan Sand Dragway kicked off their 2009 race season with two events in May. The first race was on May 9 with the second event being the traditional “All American Memorial Weekend” event on May 23. Let’s take a look at the top performers from these events.

Pro Bracket Classes

After the first two races, Randi Lynn Vsetula leads the Pro Point series. Randi won the Season Opener Pro 1-2 Combo class, and then went on to a semi-final finish in the Pro 2 class at the second race. She takes a two point lead into June over Steve Ewing. Ewing has had a hot start to the season, taking the Pro ATV class win Memorial Weekend after taking the Pro ATV win the previous weekend at the Pro Truck Nationals Cleves, OH event. Sitting third in Pro points is perennial point series contender Tim Holstege in his alcohol-injected Chevy-powered Altered. Holstege was the Pro 2 winner Memorial Weekend over John Ramlow. Tied with Tim for third place is Dave DeLoof in the Backdraft dragster. DeLoof had a big race Memorial Weekend, winning both the Pro 1 and Quick 8 classes with a string of low 3.6 ET’s. Rounding out the Top 5 are Pro ATV Season Opener winner Dylan Beld (4th) and a tie for fifth place between Rich Wood (Pro ATV) and John Ramlow (Pro 2). Other early season Pro Bracket winners were Mark Groenink (taking the first ever Pro 3 class win), Ben Dozeman (Pro Truck Winner Mem. Weekend & Pro 1-2 Runner-Up May 9), and Shawn Roth (Pro ATV Winner May 9).

Randi Vsetula leads the Pro Point series after two events.

Dave DeLoof (Far Lane) vs. Bob Ramlow (Near Lane) in Quick 8 class action.

Dylan Beld (Near Lane) and Matt Ewing (Far Lane) in Pro ATV action.

Shawn Roth (Far Lane) on his way to the Season Opener win in the Pro ATV class.

Ben Dozeman won the Pro Truck class on May 23 at WMSD.

Sportsman Bracket Classes

The big story to start the season in the Sportsman Bracket classes has been Nick Bennett coming into the ATV class and sweeping the season’s first two races in his first point series season. Bennett holds a 19 point advantage over Sportsman 2 racer Dan Genge. Genge sits second on the strength of his runner-up finish Memorial Weekend. Stephanie Taylor, Matt Stewart, and John Schultz all sit in a three way tie for third place. Bob Reitman was a first time winner taking the May 9 Sportsman 1-2 Combo class win. Mandee Reynders was the Sportsman 1 winner May 23 with Don Parmenter taking his buggy to the Sportsman 2 title.

Nick Bennett (Far Lane) is the Sportsman Point series leader after two races along side Steve Ewing (Near Lane) who sits second in the Pro point series.

Matt Stewart currently sits tied for third in the Sportsman Point series.

Junior Classes

After two races; Caitlynn Page (Junior ATV), Elise Shaffer (Junior Dragster), and Ty Papenhagen (Mighty Midgets) are the point series leaders. Paige Villemure (Junior Dragster), Page (Junior ATV), and Papenhagen (Mighty Midgets) were the May 23 winners. On May 9, two first time winners emerged as Brendan Willis (Junior ATV) and Tyler Watkins (Mighty Midgets) took first place in their respective categories. The Junior Dragster winner on May 9 was Tyler Walla.

West Michigan Sand Dragway heads into June with three events; two point series events on June 6 and June 20 while the June 11-13 event is their ATV Nationals event. For more info, go to www.sanddragways.com.

Copyright NSDN Photos.