Tue, 02 Dec 2014, 20:09 PM Winners & Class Champions Crowned at SHRA Finals

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ENNIS, Texas -- The final stop of the eight race Southwest Heritage Racing Association 2014 tour brought the series to the historic Texas Motorplex on Saturday, November 8th for the SHRA Championship Finals. The MalloryPrint.com SHRA series racers highly anticipated the season finale as class Champions would be crowned in all five categories where some heated points battles were underway coming into this event.

Both the Old School No Electronics and Old School Electronics class titles were up for grabs by a handful of hungry drivers and the Nostalgia Eliminator 2 crown was also in a tight battle and would be decided at the Motorplex. Over eighty five cars packed the pit area early Saturday morning and after a 9:15 am drivers meeting, drivers returned to their pit area to warm up their hot rods as the call went out to bring the SHRA classes to the lanes for the first of two time trials.

Nostalgia Eliminator 1 Champion Tera Wendland-Graves

In the 4.65 index Nostalgia Eliminator 1 class, Tera Wendland-Graves entered the event with a commanding lead over second place Chris Graves. By showing up and making the first time trial round, Wendland-Graves locked up her first NE 1 Championship for team owner and crew chief Darrell Walden. In that first time trial, a mechanical failure sidelined the team for the remainder of the event and the Championship celebration started earlier than planned in the Walden pits while the rest of the NE 1 teams raced on.

Good Vibrations NE 1 Shootout winner Steve Dunkin

After two qualifying sessions, Andy Mears' "Dragon Slayer" 1957 Chevy Funny Car led the eleven car field into eliminations with a "perfect" 4.65 elapsed time. Clay Cunningham's 1948 Fiat bodied blown altered clicked off a 4.68 to qualify number two and Ron Muncy's injected slingshot dragster posted a 4.70 to earn the number three slot. These two qualifying rounds also included the elimination rounds of the Good Vibrations NE 1 Shootout which was won by Steve Dunkin over his teammate Ron Muncy.

As the rounds dwindled down to the semi-finals, Clay Cunningham and the team from Dumas, Texas found themselves lined up with Ron Muncy. Cunningham was looking to move into the first NE 1 final of his career in SHRA competition and did just that when Muncy left the line with a -.003 red light, while Cunningham posted a 4.89 at 142 mph to advance. Brian Briggs was out next in his Louisiana based injected dragster and benefited from the bye run to move into his second NE 1 final of the season, posting a 4.72 at 147 mph.

Clay Cunningham celebrates win.

In the Nostalgia Eliminator 1 final, with dark skies and temperatures dropping quickly, the track conditions were tricky. Cunningham blasted off the line first in his blown altered and took the lead when Briggs struck the tires at the hit of the throttle. Briggs pedaled his dragster twice but it was to no avail, as the starting line erupted in celebration by the Cunningham crew as they took home their first ever SHRA event win. Congratulations to Clay Cunningham and team on a well-deserved victory.

NE 2 Shootout winner Bee Godwin

The 5.00 index Nostalgia Eliminator 2 class hosted a dandy of a points battle all season between defending Champ Bee Godwin and friendly rival Tommy Drozd. Godwin held a slim fourteen point lead over Drozd entering the SHRA Finals and both drivers came with their game at the Motorplex. After two qualifying sessions, Bruce Dodson led the pack for the third time this season posting a "perfect" 5.00 elapsed time. Bee Godwin's 5.02 earned him the number two spot and Thomas Hixson's 5.03 qualified him third behind Tommy Drozd in fourth with a 5.04. The Meyer Enterprises NE 2 Shootout was held during the two qualifying rounds as Bee Godwin met Bruce Dodson in the final. Godwin used a .001 reaction time to take a hole shot win over Dodson in a great side by side drag race. No points were up for grabs in the Shootout eliminator, just big money, as Godwin hoped to carry his momentum into the elimination rounds of the SHRA Finals to hold off Tommy Drozd.

2014 NE 2 Champion Tommy Drozd

The NE 2 Championship came down to a powerhouse match-up between Godwin and Drozd in round two action. Per the ladder, the winner of this round would benefit from a bye run in the semi-finals which meant if Drozd beat Godwin in this round, he would earn enough points to take the lead and become the 2014 NE 2 Champion. On the starting line, the pressure was on as the drivers crept into the stage beams. Drozd was off first with a .023 reaction time to Godwin's close .034. Godwin started spinning the tires early as Drozd pulled ahead and at the stripe Drozd's 5.04 at 122 took the win over Godwin's 5.17 at 136.

Tommy Drozd celebrates win.

Tommy Drozd and company were now officially the 2014 NE 2 Champions and could now cap off a Championship season with a win at the SHRA finals. In semi-final action, Bruce Dodson met Don Holley to kick off the round. Holley had troubles at the line, while Dodson blasted to a 4.99 at 136 to move into the final against Drozd who moved into his sixth NE 2 final on a bye run.

The NE 2 final was on the line as Dodson and Drozd brought their altereds to the line. At the flash of amber, Dodson left with a -.001 red light which sent the Drozd crew into celebration on the starting line while they watched their driver click off a 4.92 winning elapsed time to Dodson's 5.02. Tommy Drozd and company capped off a stellar weekend with the Championship and the win in a well-deserved effort. Congratulations to the entire team on a stellar season.

Nostalgia Eliminator 3 Champion Dusty Rose

In the 5.00 index Nostalgia Eliminator 3 class, Dusty Rose entered the event with a 74 point lead over Gary Mitchell and by attending the SHRA Finals, Rose locked up the NE 3 Championship for the team from Moore, Oklahoma tuned by Dusty's father Milt. 2013 NE 3 Champion Doug Morrison led the qualifying field with a "perfect" 5.50 elapsed time which he happened to run in the finals of the AlkyDigger NE 3 Shootout earning him the big win over Carl Johnson in that eliminator. Carl Johnson's 5.53 qualified him third with Gary Mitchell's 5.52 squeezing him in-between in the second qualifying spot as the NE 3 teams headed back to the pits to prepare for their final bout of the season.

AlkyDigger Shootout winner Doug Morrison

In semi-final action, Doug Morrison met Dusty Rose in a great drag race. Rose took a very slight starting line advantage and the cars were side by side as they approached the finish line. Rose' 5.47 lost to Morrison's 5.48 in a double breakout as Morrison was moving into his third final of the season and hoping to double up by winning both the AlkyDigger Shootout and SHRA Finals. Gary Mitchell and Michael Graves were up next in the second half of the semi-final. Graves was making his SHRA debut and was also entered in both the SHRA bracket classes as he hoped one of his three tech cards brought him a win. Mitchell took the starting line advantage at the hit and at the stripe, Mitchell's 5.499 took the nod over Graves' 5.490 in another double breakout. Mitchell was headed to his third final of the season and hoped to clinch his first career SHRA win over Morrison in the final.

Doug Morrison celebrates win.

Morrison and Mitchell brought their altereds to the line for the final round of NE 3 competition. Morrison was out first with a .019 reaction time as Mitchell had to play catch up. A quick pedal job by Mitchell told the story as he slowed to a 5.56 while Morrison clicked off a "perfect" 5.50 on what Morrison would call a "perfect" day at the races as he took home two wins at the Texas Motorplex in a dominating effort at the SHRA Finals. Congratulations to Morrison and company on a stellar effort to end the 2014 racing season.

The Old School Electronics class was host to a very entertaining points fight as five drivers came in with a chance to be crowned the 2014 class Champion. Russell Cook held the lead over Dean Johnson with Bobby Taylor, Rhonda Trietsch and Jim Baughan all in contention. In the first round of eliminations, number one and two in points, Cook and Johnson, found themselves paired up and on the line ready to eliminate one of the contenders right off the bat. Johnson was .004 on the tree and dialed a 5.33 but his 5.40 came up just short of Cook's 5.70 on a 5.66 dial as Cook took the nod in this critical round.

Bobby Taylor bowed out in round two when he was defeated by Warren Wright and Russell Cook again met a Championship contender in Jim Baughan in round two. Baughan went red by -.023 as Cook was looking strong and headed to round three with Rhonda Trietsch now the only driver remaining who had a chance at the title in her 1967 Camaro.

Old School Electronics Champion Russell Cook

Trietsch and Cook met in round three in a huge round for both drivers. If Trietsch could take out Cook here, then go on to win the event, she would take over the points lead and be crowned the 2014 Champion. If Cook defeated Trietsch, the battle would end with Cook headed to the semi-finals as the Champ in his 1977 Nova. At the line, Cook went red with a -.008 ending his day and opening the door for Trietsch as she moved on.

Rhonda Trietsch kept her hopes alive by defeating Craig Kindiger in the semi-finals and would face first time SHRA racer Warren Wright in the final who benefitted from the bye run in the semis. Wright could play spoiler in his first SHRA event by ending Trietsch's come from behind Championship run, but Trietsch had the advantage on paper as she prepared for her third straight SHRA Old School Electronics final round of the season.

Warren Wright celebrates win.

In the final, Warren Wright wheeled his 1967 Nova to the line against the determined Trietsch to decide not only the event winner, but who would be crowned 2014 Old School Electronics Champion. As the ambers dropped, the drivers were off the line almost dead even and at the stripe Trietsch broke out with a 5.63 on a 5.66 dial to Wright's winning 5.67 on a 5.64 dial. Congratulations to Wright on his first SHRA event win and to Trietsch on a hard fought battle for the class Championship which went to Russell Cook by just six points. Congratulations to Cook and company on their Old School Electronics title.

The Old School No Electronics class hosted an equally intriguing points battle as six drivers stood a chance at winning the class Championship. Jim Baughan came into the event with a slim twelve point lead over John Wilson. Chris Jarvis, Stephen Foster and Brad Thompson also had a hand in the mix as the call went out for the first round of eliminations.

Points leader Jim Baughan made things very interesting when he lost in the opening round to Josh Sallee. Stephen Foster also bowed out in round one to Joe Ross while John Wilson, Chris Jarvis and Brad Thompson moved into second round with pressure mounting. In round two, number two in points John Wilson was eliminated along with Brad Thompson. Chris Jarvis now had a massive opportunity to climb to the top of the charts if he could keep going rounds in his 1967 Camaro.

Old School No Electronics Champion Chris Jarvis

In the semi-finals, Jarvis earned the bye run guaranteeing him a spot in the final round but more importantly, Jarvis earned enough points in this round to lock up the class Championship. Jarvis rode the comeback pony to the top moving from third to first at the SHRA Finals to earn a well-deserved title for he and his team. Justin Cervantes and Michael Graves made up the second half of the semi-final, both in their first SHRA event. Graves had a busy day, running in three classes and advancing to the semi-finals in two. Graves' win light streak ended in this round as his altered fought for traction while Cervantes posted a 7.20 on a 7.18 dial to move to the final round against Jarvis.

Justin Cervantes

In the final round, Jarvis might have been a little excited about his Championship run and left too soon with a -.073 light and would have to settle for a runner-up finish at the SHRA Finals while Cervantes posted a 7.16 winning elapsed time to earn his first SHRA event win in his first race with the series in his Chevelle. Congratulations to both Cervantes and Jarvis on their successes at the SHRA Finals.

It was a full day of racing at the Texas Motorplex as competition started at 10:15 am and wrapped up around 9:00 pm. Awards were presented to all class winners and class Champions including the beautiful custom designed Championship trophies supplied by SHRA sponsor Meyer Enterprises. Congratulations to each and every participant of the 2014 SHRA racing season and to all the winners of both the SHRA Finals and five class Championships.

243 drivers earned points in SHRA competition this season as the SHRA series continues to grow, all with the support of the fine sponsors including Mallory Screenprint & Embroidery, Good Vibrations Motorsports, Meyer Enterprises, AlkyDigger, Equipment Sales & Service of Texas, Hitchin' Post Restaurant & Truck Stop, Robinson Restoration & Service, Harry's Hot Rod Truck & Accessories, Competition Sales of Dallas, Hayden Enterprises Specialty Wheels, Howards Cam & Competition Products. For more information and to see a sneak peek at the 2015 SHRA schedule, visit www.shraracing.com.

- ROUND BY ROUND RESULTS -
Nostalgia Eliminator 1 Final Qualifying Order:
1.  Andy Mears (Lubbock, TX) - 4.65
2.  Clay Cunningham (Dumas, TX) - 4.68
3.  Ron Muncy (Weatherford, TX) - 4.70
4.  Brian Briggs (Lake Charles, LA) - 4.718
5.  Chris Stouffer (Cleburne, TX) - 4.719
6.  Steve Dunkin (Aledo, TX) - 4.731
7.  Richard Brady (Ft. Worth, TX) - 4.737
8.  Gary Ballard (Iowa Park, TX) - 4.90
9.  Chris Graves (Carrollton, TX) - 5.06
10.  Dale McKee (Heath, TX) - 7.04
11.  Jason ONeill (Mesquite, TX) - 4.64

Nostalgia Eliminator 1 Round 1 Results:
(W) Brian Briggs (.029 rt) 4.65 @ 147 vs. (L) Chris Graves (.077 rt) 5.91 @ 77
(W) Jason ONeill (-.033 rt) 4.65 @ 136 vs. (L) Steve Dunkin (-.371 rt) 7.41 @ 75
(W) Andy Mears (.080 rt) 4.71 @ 132 vs. (L) Richard Brady (-.018 rt) 4.96 @ 135
(W) Ron Muncy (.008 rt) 4.75 @ 144 vs. (L) Gary Ballard (No Time - Broke)
(W) Clay Cunningham (.050 rt) 5.97 @ 87 vs. (L) Competition Bye
(W) Chris Stouffer (.070 rt) 4.73 @ 147 vs. (L) Dale McKee (No Time - Broke)

Nostalgia Eliminator 1 Round 2 Results:
(W) Brian Briggs (.058 rt) 5.05 @ 146 vs. (L) Andy Mears (No Time - Broke)
(W) Clay Cunningham (.052 rt) 4.63 @ 150 vs. (L) Chris Stouffer (.041 rt) 4.62 @ 151
(W) Ron Muncy (.048 rt) 4.66 @ 146 vs. (L) Jason ONeill (.105 rt) 4.65 @ 145

Nostalgia Eliminator 1 SEMI-FINAL Results:
(W) Clay Cunningham (.054 rt) 4.89 @ 142 vs. (L) Ron Muncy (-.003 rt) 12.04 @ 41
(W) Brian Briggs (.100 rt) 4.72 @ 147 vs. (L) Bye Run

Nostalgia Eliminator 1 FINAL ROUND Results:
(W) Clay Cunningham (.080 rt) 4.75 @ 127 vs. (L) Brian Briggs (.106 rt) 5.27 @ 144

Nostalgia Eliminator 2 Final Qualifying Order:
1.  Bruce Dodson (Grand Prairie, TX) - 5.00
2.  Bee Godwin (Iowa Park, TX) - 5.033
3.  Thomas Hixson (Keller, TX) - 5.035
4.  Tommy Drozd (Lake Dallas, TX) - 5.04
5.  Don Holley (Aubrey, TX) - 5.11
6.  Michael Renaker (Tyler, TX) - 5.15
7.  Bruce Bruno Jr (Wichita Falls, TX) - 5.22
8.  Rick Taylor (Oklahoma City, OK) - 5.27
9.  Rick Goodale (Austin, TX) - 5.722
10.  Joe Scarlata (Garland, TX) - 5.729

Nostalgia Eliminator 2 FIRST ROUND Results:
(W) Tommy Drozd (.056 rt) 5.06 @ 118 vs. (L) Rick Goodale (.433 rt) 4.99 @ 144
(W) Rick Taylor (.059 rt) 5.15 @ 133 vs. (L) Thomas Hixson (.328 rt) 5.08 @ 134
(W) Bruce Dodson (.160 rt) 5.18 @ 111 vs. (L) Michael Renaker (.131 rt) 5.24 @ 129
(W) Bee Godwin (.005 rt) 5.09 @ 128 vs. (L) Bruce Bruno Jr (.028 rt) 5.12 @ 132
(W) Don Holley (.127 rt) 5.13 @ 132 vs. (L) Joe Scarlata (No Time - Broke)

Nostalgia Eliminator 2 Round 2 Results:
(W) Don Holley (.072 rt) 5.07 @ 134 vs. (L) Rick Taylor (No Time - Broke)
(W) Tommy Drozd (.023 rt) 5.04 @ 122 vs. (L) Bee Godwin (.034 rt) 5.17 @ 136
(W) Bruce Dodson (.122 rt) 5.00 @ 135 vs. (L) Bye Run

Nostalgia Eliminator 2 SEMI-FINAL Results:
(W) Bruce Dodson (.129 rt) 4.99 @ 136 vs. (L) Don Holley (No Time - Broke)
(W) Tommy Drozd (.018 rt) 5.75 @ 76 vs. (L) Bye Run

Nostalgia Eliminator 2 FINAL ROUND Results:
(W) Tommy Drozd (.041 rt) 4.92 @ 132 vs. (L) Bruce Dodson (-.001 rt) 5.02 @ 135

Nostalgia Eliminator 3 Final Qualifying Order:
1.  Doug Morrison (Gainesville, TX) - 5.50
2.  Gary Mitchell (Dallas, TX) - 5.52
3.  Carl Johnson (Iola, TX) - 5.53
4.  Robert Springstead (Azle, TX) - 5.68
5.  Ron Walden (Kilgore, TX) - 5.78
6.  Josh Moseley (Combine, TX) - 5.82
7.  Dusty Rose (Moore, OK) - 5.48
8.  Michael Graves (Burleson, TX) - 5.39

Nostalgia Eliminator 3 FIRST ROUND Results:
(W) Doug Morrison (.026 rt) 5.45 @ 124 vs. (L) Ron Walden (-.001 rt) 5.42 @ 125
(W) Dusty Rose (.093 rt) 5.45 @ 122 vs. (L) Carl Johnson (-.005 rt) 5.48 @ 122
(W) Gary Mitchell (.061 rt) 5.48 @ 122 vs. (L) Josh Moseley (No Time - Broke)
(W) Michael Graves (.143 rt) 5.41 @ 116 vs. (L) Robert Springstead (-.007 rt) 5.48 @ 121

Nostalgia Eliminator 3 SEMI-FINAL Results:
(W) Doug Morrison (.042 rt) 5.48 @ 123 vs. (L) Dusty Rose (.036 rt) 5.47 @ 118
(W) Gary Mitchell (.093 rt) 5.499 @ 121 vs. (L) Michael Graves (.146 rt) 5.490 @ 114

Nostalgia Eliminator 3 FINAL ROUND Results:
(W) Doug Morrison (.019 rt) 5.50 @ 116 vs. (L) Gary Mitchell (.083 rt) 5.56 @ 120

OLD SCHOOL ELECTRONICS RESULTS:
ROUND 3:
(W) Warren Wright (5.63 Dial) .032 rt (5.62 @ 121) vs. (L) William Walker (6.40 Dial) -.008 rt
(7.49 @ 65)
(W) Rhonda Trietsch (5.55 Dial) -.077 rt (5.63 @ 121) vs. (L) Russell Cook (5.66 Dial) -.008 rt
(5.65 @ 123)
(W) Craig Kindiger (5.26 Dial) .125 rt (5.25 @ 134) vs. (L) Rodney Peyton (5.89 Dial) .045 rt (5.86
@ 111)

SEMI-FINALS:
(W) Rhonda Trietsch (5.63 Dial) .052 rt (5.68 @ 119) vs. (L) Craig Kindiger (5.25 Dial) .465 rt
(5.31 @ 133)
(W) Warren Wright (5.63 Dial) .004 rt (5.64 @ 121) vs. (L) Bye Run

FINAL ROUND:
(W) Warren Wright (5.64 Dial) .042 rt (5.67 @ 120) vs. (L) Rhonda Trietsch (5.66 Dial) .046 rt
(5.63 @ 120)

OLD SCHOOL NO ELECTRONICS RESULTS:
ROUND 3:
(W) Justin Cervantes (7.28 Dial) .053 rt (7.37 @ 82) vs. (L) Curtis Horne (6.12 Dial) .125 rt (6.10
@ 109)
(W) Michael Graves (5.33 Dial) .018 rt (5.46 @ 125) vs. (L) Steve Tate (6.42 Dial) .050 rt (6.38 @
106)
(W) Chris Jarvis (6.61 Dial) .022 rt (6.63 @ 109) vs. (L) #459 (6.09 Dial) -.150 rt (6.06 @ 115)

SEMI-FINALS:
(W) Justin Cervantes (7.18 Dial) .010 rt (7.20 @ 85) vs. (L) Michael Graves (5.45 Dial) .004 rt
(6.11 @ 90)
(W) Chris Jarvis (6.61 Dial) .068 rt (6.63 @ 109) vs. (L) Bye Run

FINAL ROUND:
(W) Justin Cervantes (7.17 Dial) .029 rt (7.16 @ 94) vs. (L) Chris Jarvis (6.61 Dial) -.073 rt
(7.69 @ 67)

BONUS PROGRAM WINNERS:

Good Vibrations Motorsports "NE 1 Quick Reaction Time Bonus"
Ron Muncy

Howards Cams "NE 2 Quick Reaction Time Bonus"
Bee Godwin

Competition Products "NE 3 Quick Reaction Time Bonus"
Doug Morrison

Hayden Enterprises "NE 1 Closest To Index Rd. 1 Loser"
Chris Graves

Hitchin' Post Restaurant & Truck Stop Bracket Winner & Runner Up Bonus
Old School No-Electronics: Justin Cervantes & Chris Jarvis
Old School Electronics: Warren Wright & Rhonda Trietsch

Equipment Sales & Service of Texas Bracket Best Rd. 1 Losing Package Bonus
Old School No-Electronics - Jay Casey
Old School Electronics - Ray McFarland

Harry's Hot Rod Truck & Accessories Nostalgia Eliminator Long Haul Bonus
Clay Cunningham

Robinson Restoration & Service Bracket "Long Haul" Bonus
Jerry Cannon

Competition Sales of Dallas Brad Penn Bracket "Luck of the Draw"
Don Delles

Competition Sales of Dallas Sunoco Race Fuels NE "Luck of the Draw"
Rick Taylor

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