08/30/14
IT’S THE POINTS, THAT’S ALL FOLKS
The Summit ET Points racing season came to a close this weekend with only one of the top seeded drivers winning the final race of the year. Going into the day two eliminators were already decided with regard to who would be representing Island Dragway in the Race of Champions as Bill Hakucsa and Barry Stephens had long ago notched their titles in Street and Bike eliminators respectively. Jason Wilson was the leader in Super Pro and Greg Myers led the field in Pro but maintained slight leads that left them vulnerable as the event commenced. Ultimately they both held on to their leads and will go as the number one racers in their categories. But only Hakucsa finished the year on a high note, winning the Street bracket in a six round shoot-out.
Super Pro was taken by Bryan Mirsky, who made the show for the finals, over Rudy Gnehm. Jason Wilson made it as far as the semis but as far as the points were concerned he was never threatened as the two closest to him were not on the property. Wilson turned back Robbie Boyd in the QF then lost to Gnehm in their semifinal match. Mirsky had eliminated Randy Wendtland and then punched out John Rodnite to make his way to the title race. This race did not take long to finish as Gnehm broke before staging and Mirsky ran a single to win it at 8.45 and 121.29 in his 66 Biscayne Chevy.
In Pro Myers only went to the second round but secured his title as those with a shot at taking him down also went away early. Meanwhile, Mike Williams was mowing down opponents in his Camaro, including holding off Gerard Lisa in the quarters and a tough challenge from Steve Gillan for a SF win light. Jim Young, who has a hot hand all second half of the year was still hot when he won over Scott Embley, who fouled, and then fell into a bye run to work his way to yet another final round, his sixth of the season. This would be the only final that Young would lose and he did himself in with a red light on the line to take runner-up with a 10.89, 122.33 card. Williams was victorious in his only final round appearance, posting a 10.59 time at a speed of 122.83.
Bill Hakucsa ran his record to six wins in seven final rounds to annex the Street money. Coming off a QF solo run, Hakucsa faced off with Lou Tullo Jr in a battle of Camaros, with Tullo exiting early on a foul start and Hakucsa tuning up at 11.72, 121.20. Pat Conway got the better of long-time racer Dave Nowak to advance out of the quarters then ran alone in the semis to make it to the deciding race. Hakucsa was better on the line and ran up an 11.73, 117.27 for his final win of the year as Conway, who was the opening day winner in the bracket, dropped to second place on a 12.19 at 109.04.
Bike belonged to Dave Ferguson and his Arctic Cat when he finished off another sled with Charlie Koenig aboard. Koenig took out Barry Stpehens in the opening round, ending the champ’s six for eight record, then dispatched Jim Totaro and Neil Smith before facing Ferguson. Dave Thoman fell to Ferguson in round one and Don Hookway was on the short end in the quarterfinal round. Ferguson came off a bye to stage up with Koenig for the bucks. While Koenig left better he could not run the number and lost on a 10.24, 123.94 effort to give the stripe to Ferguson’s 9.91, 119.37.
Newcomer Tylor Wyker won the Trophy class when the S-10 entry was better than the Nova of Ron Booker Jr. Cranking out a 10.31 and 128.02 with the truck put the hurt on the Nova, which turned in a respectable effort of 10.40 and 127.55.
Wayne Rudy defeated Robbie Boyd for the Consolation One honors when the dragster hit a 6.74, 149.45 that caught and passed the Camaro’s 7.58 and 134.03. Brandon Nicholas took the measure of Bob Conway for the Consolation Two award when the Camaro hit a close to the number 10.01 second, 126.92 mph pass. Conway lost on a 10.30, 112.81 time slip.
So another points season has come to a conclusion. Congratulations to all those who managed to earn a place with the team and best of luck to them for both individual and team honors. And to those who raced all year but missed the cut, thanks for playing, and we hope to see you again next season, going rounds and amassing points in the next challenge to be a division, and perhaps a national, champion. Here’s to the best racers in the sport.