Tue, 03 May 2016, 10:39 AM Callaway Scores First Win in Texas

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2016 Auto Imagery, Inc.

BAYTOWN, Texas -- The NHRA Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway, saw local racer Lee Callaway upset 2015 national champion Joey Severance for his first career win in Top Alcohol Dragster. Despite this being his first-ever final round appearance in the racing class, the Baytown, Texas, resident showed no signs of nervousness as he made his best pass of the weekend.

Lee Callaway celebrates his first win.

Steve Gasparrelli collected his 11th National event win.

Callaway opened the final round with a small lead after posting a quicker reaction time, then pulled away to earn the Wally after Severance started hazing the tires at approximately 400 feet. Final round results were a 5.285 second, 271.84 mph pass for Callaway, compared to Severance's 6.610 second, 141.46 mph finish.

David Rampy won his 91st National event.

In Comp Eliminator, veteran racer David Rampy of Piedmont, Al., collected his 91st overall career win, with 73 having been earned in the Comp Eliminator racing class. Rampy faced off against Dick Maris, Montgomery, Texas, and posted a winning run of 7.344 seconds, 164.69 mph in his '32 Bantam.

Kevin Helms celebrates 24th National event win.

In Stock, Kevin Helms, Schriever, La., gave up a little at the tree, but made up for it down the lane to defeat Jeremy Emmons, Pasadena, Texas. This was Helms' 24th career Wally trophy, sixteenth in Stock to go along with eight previous he has earned in Super Stock. Helms has won this event four times; twice in both Stock and Super Stock, with his last win here in 2007.

Tommy Phillips won his 35th Natioanal event and his first in Super Stock.

Steve Collier won his first National event

Rustin Mayse celebrates fourth National event win.

J.R. Baxter celebrates his second National event win.

Other racers visiting the winner's circle this weekend were Steve Gasparrelli, West Covina, Calif., in Top Alcohol Funny Car; Tommy Phillips, Forney, Texas, in Super Stock; Rustin Mayse in Super Gas; and Steve Collier of Benton, La., took his first National event trophy in Super Comp. J.R. Baxter, Waxahachie, Texas won in Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Spring Nationals at Royal Purple Raceway:

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Lee Callaway, 5.285, 271.84 def. Joey Severance, 6.610, 141.46.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Steve Gasparrelli, Chevy Camaro, No Time Recorded was unopposed.

Competition Eliminator -- David Rampy, Bantam, 7.344, 164.69 def. Dick Maris, ProStart, 8.362, 110.26.

Super Stock -- Tommy Phillips, Chevy Cavalier, 9.549, 130.94 def. Jacob Pitt, Dodge Stratus, Foul - Red Light.

Stock Eliminator -- Kevin Helms, Dodge Challenger, 9.136, 137.33 def. Jerry Emmons, Chevy Camaro, 10.441, 115.04.

Super Comp -- Steve Collier, Dragster, 8.912, 175.91 def. Shannon Brinkley, Dragster, 8.897, 172.06.

Super Gas -- Rustin Mayse, Chevy Corvette, 9.900, 149.95 def. Bryan Sandlin, Chevy Camaro, 9.878, 150.40.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com -- J.R. Baxter, Dragster, 6.421, 211.96 def. Aaron Stanfield, Dragster, 6.420, 205.41.

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