Byron Summit King of the Track Bracket Racing

Sunday was Byron Dragway's NHRA Summit King of the Track race. The Summit King of the Track is a bonus program, normally, run in conjunction with an existing weekly program. Sunday was one of the weekly Bracket Races. The winner of the four classes, Street Eliminator, Sportsman ET, Pro and Super Pro, face off for the right to claim the title of King of the Track Champion. Of course, with this title comes the "Wally"!

In Street Eliminator, there were four elimination rounds leading to the Finals. In this race it was Naperville's Ted Thompson against Bartlett's Robert France. This ended up being a "Hole Shot" win for Ted. Robert ran closer to his Dial-in but couldn't over Ted's .003 light.  Their numbers were Ted .003/14.40/14.473 and Robert's .120/12.75/12.781.

Ted Thompson

The Sportsman Class ran four rounds of eliminations to reach their Finals. Racing their way to the Finals, was Jeff Toepper, Channon,Il., and Steve Quickel, Streator, Il. Jeff and Steve were close on the tree, however Jeff ran closer to his Dial-in (12.00/12.012) while Steve broke out (.15.12/15.116) to give the win to Jeff.

Jeff Toepper

The Pro Eminator Class ran five rounds to reach their Final. It was Brian Dumdie, Sycamore, against Tim Flynn, Naperville. Tim had a better response time than Brian, .019/.029. Unfortunately for Tim, it continued all the way to the stripe, where he broke out by -.04.  Normally, Brian's dad, Don, drives this '57. Don decided Brian should try the big car. It looks like Brian's car will be sitting now.

Brian Dumdie

The Super Pro Class was sub-divided into Box (electronics) and No-Box. Each runs against their sub-class cars until each have a winner. At that point, the two race against each other for the Class win and the right to represent Super Pro for King of the Track. Since this is a Big Bucket race the winner takes home $5,000. In that Final it was Bruce Van Stratten representing Box in a dragster and John Coyle representing No-Box in a Camaro doorslammer. Bruce had a better light (.010/.023) than John and ran closer to his Dial-in.

At the end of the race Bruce decided to let John represent the King of the Track from Super Pro. This meant no dragster would be the running for King of the Track.

Ted Thompson, Street Eliminator
Jeff Toepper, Sportsman
Brian Dumdie, Pro Eliminator
John Coyle, Super Pro

It was Jeff Toepper and John Coyle advancing to the Final to take home the Wally.

In the Final Jeff had the better light, .009/.040 and they pushed each other to the stripe. Both drivers broke-out with Jeff running closest to his Dial-in.

Jeff Toepper  7.60/7.595
John Coyle  7.66/7.609

Congratulations Jeff!

Track Bites

Earlier in the day, I saw Mark Marusak's cream/yellow Nova doing it's burnout. Then I saw Mark crewing not driving the car. I caught up with Mark a short time later and learned that Dave Ancel was driving. Dave  wanted to have some fun!

Ted Thompson was having a strange race day driving four wheels. Ted normally races a motorcyle winning both last Saturday and Sunday in Street Bike ET Class.

As the day began, I was listening to the PA system as Brett Williamson was introduced as he was starting his burnout. I looked up, but did not see the Black '57 Chevrolet. I learned later that he had spun a bearing in the motor and had to borrow a car to race today.

This weekend, with two days of racing, ending with the awarding of a Wally for Summit King of the Track and handing out Big Bucks cash, what could be better? The great weather contributed to fantastic races. Congratulations to all the winners.

To see all the images from Sunday's racing, please click here.

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