National Sand Drag News

2011 May

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Sunday

The 13th Annual Heartland Nationals at Atoka Motorsports Park concluded on Sunday with some of the best racing we have seen all year. First off, in the Top Alcohol final round Gary Mink and Scott Carroll put on an awesome show with Gary taking a 2.70 to 2.74 decision by just .016 at the stripe. Of course the Top Eliminator guys had to one up that one as Texas’ Courtney Stidham made it back-to-back Heartland Nationals wins in a thrilling final round race against Tim Martin decided by just .007 at the stripe. Sunday’s Pro Bracket classes also saw some great battles as Tim Feuerhelm (Pro 1 Cars), Kirk Whitlow (Pro 1 Quads), and Ashley Ralston (Pro 2 Cars) emerged victorious. Run Sheets & Sunday Videos are now online. (5-30)

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Saturday

Race one of the 2011 Pro Truck Nationals series went off with some great action at the IOK 4-Wheelers Grounds in Cleves, OH. Kip Martin picked up in 2011, where he left off last season with another Pro Truck class victory. Kip defeated Lee Reynders in a great final round match up. Kathy Ellington scored the big win in Pro Outlaw FE with a final round 3.32 to 3.39 victory over Dan Wies. Other big winners on the night include Steve Ewing (Q8 Pro ATV), Justin Dees (Bracket 1), Jamie Schiff (Bracket 2), and Matt Ewing (ATV). Video & Run Sheets are now posted!!! (5-22)

Atoka Motorsports Park in Atoka, OK held their third point series event of the 2011 season on May 14. Jim Martin was the night’s big winner taking both the Money & Trophy Pro 1 Cars classes. Kirk Whitlow also had quite a night sweeping 1st and 2nd in the Pro 1 Quads Trophy class. Kenny Kapple gave everyone a scare taking a tumble just past the finish line in his Pro 1 Buggy. Thankfully, we can report Kenny walked away and was just fine. We are looking forward to seeing everyone Atoka Motorsports Park for the track’s next event, the Heartland Nationals May 27-29.

Read more: Atoka May '11 Race Results

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Sunday

The 2011 edition of the Mertens Heavy Equipment Repair Springnational Sand Drags at the Mohave County Fairgrounds in Kingman, AZ is now complete. Jeff Janoe returned to the Top Fuel class after a couple season off and came back in a big way getting by Dennis Rieck in a wild final round for the win. Gary Mink kept up his winning ways in the Top Alcohol class defeating Dan Allen in a bizarre final round where Dan red lighted while Gary broke just off the starting line. Billy Morris also continued on a roll with a double breakout final round win over Paul Taylor. Art Cronin topped the Fast Fours class while Jim DePasse emerged victorious in the Pro Outlaw FE class. NOTE: Complete race results and Run Sheets are now Online. (5-17)

BY: TOM BRAY

The month of May is upon us, which tends to be the busiest month of the sand drag racing season. NSDN will be at three big events in this month with Daily Race Coverage. This will kick off May 13-15 with coverage from the Mertens Heavy Equipment Repair Springnational Sand Drags at the Mohave County Fairgrounds in Kingman, AZ. This event looks like it’s going to be a great west coast event to close out the first half of the season, before taking a Summer Break. I want to thank all of the individuals that made the coverage of this event possible; Hammer Down Racing (Dennis Rieck), 2 Dolla’ Bill/Heavy Metal Racing (Rick & Billy Morris), Kingman Sand Drags/Route 66 Wings & Wheels, Coldwater Kid T/F (Dwight & Matthew Ludlow), and Swag Racing (Mike Erwin). NSDN has sponsorship spots available for the Fall West Coast races, feel free to e-mail me for more info if you want to be involved & ensure coverage from these events.