Route 66 NHRA.Tv Challenge ET Bracket #4/JDRL #1- I'd Call This One a Tie!

The weather forecast for Sunday's Rockett Brand Racing Fuel ET Bracket race #4 w/Junior Drag Racing League #1 was bleak with thunderstorms predicted. This was also the NHRA.tv Challenge race.  When I arrived at the track, the weather was looking good..

However, taking into account the weather forecast, it was decided to forego the normal two time trial runs and have only one. We would then move right into eliminations. Above is Taylor Hanus and Bill Staton during their time trial. Here are some more images from the time trial.

At the conclusion of the time trials, eliminations began. The first class to complete their eliminations and have their final, was High School. It was ETB #2 race winner, Darcy Ancel vs Alex Mullin. At the line, Darcy was a little too quick and redlighted giving the win light and the Wally to Alex.

The next ET Bracket class to complete its eliminations was Pro Bike. In the final it was 2018 Champion Bruce Damewood against Robert Sutterlin, with Bruce taking home the Wally. This was the last final to be completed in the NHRA Drag.tv Challenge as the rain started to fall. Due to the rain, we had an abbreviated Winner's Circle.

Junior Drag Racing League

This was the first race of the season for the Route 66 Chapter of the NHRA Junior Drag Racing League. The Route 66 JDRL wish to thank this years sponsors:

Speiss Farms
Metroplitan Industries
Gilbert Trucking
Route 66 Food N Fuel
Ingalls Park AC
Lawson's Auto
Advance Lawn Care
Red Oaks Landscaping
Sub-Trailer Hitch

At 9:30 a.m. the Churchill Family made an announcement to the racers and families that at the conclusion of the season, they will be stepping down as coordinators of the program. The Churchill's have enhanced the junior program greatly and will be missed. There was no announcement about a replacement.

Like the ET Bracket Series, the JDRL was in a hurry-up mode. After the one round of Time Trials, the eliminations began. The Junior Sportsman class ran their final with Hayley Becker defeating Ryan Brockman.

Before the Junior Modifieds could complete their eliminations the rains came.

In consultation with all the classes, it was determined that the eliminations would be continued on another, to be determined, Bracket raceday.

Track Bites

As cars were coming to the staging lanes, I found Pro ET driver Mario Caponigro sitting on a golf cart. I thought that odd as Pro ET cars were called to the lanes. Mario informed me that due to home obligations, he had to park the car for the rest of the season. Here is Mario crew chiefing the car for his son, Vince, from ETB #3.

I was talking to Audi Lawson in the Media Center and she informed me that they hurt the Monte Carlo motor and that was why she was driving the black Chevy S-10 while Tyler was driving the Nova. Connor was absent today. Hopefully it will be repaired quickly.

Here are some more images from the entire day:

With all the dire weather prospects, to nearly complete the event is why I am calling this one a tie with Mother Nature.  It turned out to be another great day of racing.

To see all the event images, please click here.

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