Thu, 24 Oct 2019, 12:22 PM Summit SuperSeries Champions Crowned at IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals

Courtesy of IHRA Communications

MILLINGTON, Tenn.- Hundreds of International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit SuperSeries track champions, along with Summit Team Finals divisional champions from around the United States and Canada gathered at Memphis International Raceway Oct. 18-19 for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals. With nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned tracks represented, drivers traveled from the United States and Canada coming from nearly 4,000-miles away in Palmer, Alaska to the largest and most prestigious bracket racing championship in drag racing.

The IHRA Summit SuperSeries champions were crowned Saturday in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman and Junior Dragster. The $200,000 program is the championship competition for IHRA member Sportsman racers and more than 8,000 racers compete in the program annually.

Keith Cleveland

Keith Cleveland from Cheektowaya, N.Y., representing Lancaster Dragway won the Top World Championship. Dustin Avondet from Pierce City, Mo., representing Mo-Kan Dragway captured the Mod World Championship. Dustin Carroll from Olar, S.C., captured Sportsman World Championship. Kaden Harrill representing Knoxville Dragstrip won the Junior Dragster crown.

Cleveland defeated Paul Peterson representing Dragway 42 in the Top finals with a .010-reaction time, 5.66-second run at 119.80 mph.

His championship package included $20,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, a seven-night/eight-day vacation for two on the island of Aruba courtesy of Around Aruba Tours, a golf cart from Darts Carts, a world championship diamond ring, a world championship Ironman Trophy and IHRA Gold Card. Cleveland also took home an additional $500 from Battle Born Battery for having the best reaction time of all the final round competitors.

"Unbelievable," a jubilant Cleveland stated in victory lane. "I don't know what to say. I want to thank the IHRA, my family, my father and my fiancée for supporting me. I'm going to Aruba!"

Dustin Avondet

Dustin Avondet had a 6.144-second pass at 110.64 mph to claim the Mod World Championship over Chris Roth representing Mid-Michigan Motorplex who was the runner-up.

Avondet also won $20,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, a seven-night/eight-day vacation for two on the island of Aruba, a golf cart from Darts Carts, a world championship diamond ring, a world championship Ironman Trophy and IHRA Gold Card.

"It was a long day," a happy Avondet said. " I have to thank my wife Kim, my kids Kellen and Addision, my dad, IHRA and Mo-Kan Dragway for allowing me to compete here."

Dustin Carroll

Dustin Carroll from Olar, S.C., had a 7.689-second pass at 87.13 mph claiming the Sportsman World Championship over Larry Doty from Margate, Fla., representing Palm Beach International Raceway.

Carroll also won $5,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, a world championship diamond ring, a world championship Ironman Trophy and IHRA Gold Card. "I just want to thank Union County Dragway for allowing me to come out here and compete," Caroll said. "I have to thank the IHRA, my wife, my dad, my daughter for all of their support.

Kaden Harrill

Kaden Harrill went down the track in 8.389 seconds at 66.65 mph by defeating Taylor Hansen from Anthon, Iowa representing Onawa Racing & Events Complex. "I don't know what to say," an emotional Harrill said in victory lane. "I really wanted to win that car after it got unveiled last night and now, I get to bring it home." With the World Championship, won a custom-built IHRA Junior Dragster built by Half Scale Dragster featuring a custom paint scheme from Imagine That Customs, car cover from Summit Racing Equipment, tires from Hoosier Racing Tire, tach from Digatron USA, digital dial board from Digital Delay, seat belts from RJS Racing Equipment, a powerful 7.90 engine from Nic Woods Racing Engines and a gift certificate from Keizer Wheels toward the purchase of front and rear wheels. Harrill also took home $3,000 from Summit Racing Equipment as well as the world championship Ironman Trophy, a world championship diamond ring and IHRA Gold Card.

Summit SuperSeries Final Eliminations Results - 1/8 mile:

Summit SuperSeries Top (Box): Keith Cleveland, Cheektowaya, N.Y., 5.661 secs. at 119.80 mph (.010 rt) - defeated Paul Peterson, 4.876 secs. at 140.14 mph (-.012 rt)

Summit SuperSeries Modified (No Box): Dustin Avondet, Pierce City, Mo., 6.144 secs. at 110.64 mph (.040 rt) - defeated Chris Roth, Essexville, Mich., 6.057 secs. at 113.08 mph (.071 rt)

Summit SuperSeries Sportsman: Dustin Carroll, Olar, S.C., 7.689 secs. at 87.13 mph (.042 rt)- defeated Larry Doty, Margate, Fla., 9.264 secs. at 72.85 mph (.030 rt).

Summit SuperSeries Junior Dragster: Kaden Harrill, Madisonville, Tenn., 8.389 secs. at 66.65 mph (.063 rt) - defeated Taylor Hansen, Anthon, Iowa who had a .052 rt but broke after taking the green light.

Champions of the Summit SuperSeries Awards:
Top (Box) and Mod (No Box) Champion Awards:
1. $20,000 from Summit Racing Equipment
2. Aruba Vacation for Two: Seven-night/eight-day trip for two people; includes airfare, car rental, island tour, hotel and dinner/lunch packages courtesy of Around Aruba Tours, El Gaucho Restaurant, Tropicana Resorts- Eagle Aruba Resort & Casino, More 4 Less car rentals and the crew of Don Flip Racing Team.
3. Golf Cart from Darts Carts
4. Abruzzi 8- or 9-inch converter
5. Trick Flow certificate (Mod)
6. IHRA Gold Card
7. World Champion Ironman Trophy
8. World Champion Diamond Ring

Sportsman Champion Awards:
1. $5,000 from Summit Racing Equipment
2. Trick Flow certificate
3. IHRA Gold Card
4. World Champion Ironman Trophy
5. World Champion Diamond Ring

Junior Dragster Champion Awards:
1. Custom-built Junior Dragster by Half Scale Dragster featuring custom paint scheme from Imagine That Customs, car cover from Summit Racing Equipment, tires from Hoosier Racing Tire, tach from Digatron USA, digital dial board from Digital Delay, 7.90 engine from Nic Woods Racing Engines, seat belts from RJS Racing Equipment and a gift certificate for the purchase of front and rear wheels from Keizer Wheels.
2. $3,000 from Summit Racing Equipment
3. IHRA Gold Card
4. World Champion Ironman Trophy
5. World Champion Diamond Ring