RACE 1 IS IN THE BOOKS
Mike Murray starts the season with a win! The day started off gloomy and looked like rain. Track was a little cool, but at Route 66 Raceway, the track crew did make it stick. 23 cars qualified and racing was competitive. The #1 qualifier was Jim Tacchia, 2010 MWTS Champion, with a 7.04 ET. Racing was accident free, thanks to the blessing from our MWTS Pastor Bill Beagle. As the day went on there where some upsets and alot of close racing. By the finals it was Bill Rotz in his 1963 Corvette VS Mike Murray in his 1980 Monza. When the lights went green these two battled it all the way down the 1/4 mile. At the finish it was Mike Murray, taking the first win of the 2011 season. Congratulations Mike and crew on there win. Also congratulations to Bill Rotz and crew on there runner up.
Mike Murray starts the season with a win! The day started off gloomy and looked like rain. Track was a little cool, but at Route 66 Raceway, the track crew did make it stick. 23 cars qualified and racing was competitive. The #1 qualifier was Jim Tacchia, 2010 MWTS Champion, with a 7.04 ET. Racing was accident free, thanks to the blessing from our MWTS Pastor Bill Beagle. As the day went on there where some upsets and alot of close racing. By the finals it was Bill Rotz in his 1963 Corvette VS Mike Murray in his 1980 Monza. When the lights went green these two battled it all the way down the 1/4 mile. At the finish it was Mike Murray, taking the first win of the 2011 season. Congratulations Mike and crew on there win. Also congratulations to Bill Rotz and crew on there runner up.
RACE #2 @ Rt66 CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
BYRON DRAGWAY RACES 3 & 4
Weather was cloudy with temps in the mid to upper 70’s for race #3. The track was prepped to a national event quality. We had 20 cars enter the event and was some great racing all day long. The top 5 cars where running in the 6’s. When qualifying ended Jim Tacchia was number 1 with a 6.80 @ 202mph. Thuoghout the day of eliminations there was some stiff competition and some upsets. We had a rain delay for about 45 mins, then the track was dried and racing continued. By the finals it was Ed Kurth in his 1957 Chevy VS Rick Zirk in his 1998 Saturn. When the tree came down, Ed was a little to early and set off the dreaded red light. Zirk ran it out and claimed his first win in the Midwest Top Sportsman / Quarter-Max Race Series. Congratulations Rick Zirk and crew. Also Congratulations to Ed Kurth and crew on his runner-up.
It's a racers dream come true! On Sunday I had to pinch Rick Zirk to let him know he was not dreaming. Rick Zirks 1998 Saturn, piloted by Bob Ramano had won Race #3 and #4 of the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series at Byron Dragway. Sunday turned out to be a nice day. The weather was good and so was the racing. After qualifying Tim Kirman was the #1 qualifier with a 6.82 @ 201mph. 19 cars qualified with one that broke, Jeff Fleming. Throughout the day, racing was very competitive, with some real close races that where decided by the computers of the track system. By the finals it was (Zirk Racing)Bob Ramano VS Chuck Reed. During the burnouts Reed had some problems and the car shut off. Bob waited and Reed got the car started, doing a real short burnout. When the tree came down both cars launched hard. By the 900ft mark it looked like Reed got loose and Ramano Ran it out to become the winner. Great job Rick Zirk and team on there back to back wins and congratulations to Chuck Reed and team on there Runner-Up.
Weather was cloudy with temps in the mid to upper 70’s for race #3. The track was prepped to a national event quality. We had 20 cars enter the event and was some great racing all day long. The top 5 cars where running in the 6’s. When qualifying ended Jim Tacchia was number 1 with a 6.80 @ 202mph. Thuoghout the day of eliminations there was some stiff competition and some upsets. We had a rain delay for about 45 mins, then the track was dried and racing continued. By the finals it was Ed Kurth in his 1957 Chevy VS Rick Zirk in his 1998 Saturn. When the tree came down, Ed was a little to early and set off the dreaded red light. Zirk ran it out and claimed his first win in the Midwest Top Sportsman / Quarter-Max Race Series. Congratulations Rick Zirk and crew. Also Congratulations to Ed Kurth and crew on his runner-up.
It's a racers dream come true! On Sunday I had to pinch Rick Zirk to let him know he was not dreaming. Rick Zirks 1998 Saturn, piloted by Bob Ramano had won Race #3 and #4 of the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series at Byron Dragway. Sunday turned out to be a nice day. The weather was good and so was the racing. After qualifying Tim Kirman was the #1 qualifier with a 6.82 @ 201mph. 19 cars qualified with one that broke, Jeff Fleming. Throughout the day, racing was very competitive, with some real close races that where decided by the computers of the track system. By the finals it was (Zirk Racing)Bob Ramano VS Chuck Reed. During the burnouts Reed had some problems and the car shut off. Bob waited and Reed got the car started, doing a real short burnout. When the tree came down both cars launched hard. By the 900ft mark it looked like Reed got loose and Ramano Ran it out to become the winner. Great job Rick Zirk and team on there back to back wins and congratulations to Chuck Reed and team on there Runner-Up.
ROUTE 66 RACEWAY RACES 5 & 6
The day started out with a rain delay, but finally got under way with Race #5 of the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series. Tim Kirman was #1 qualifier with a 6.75 @ 205mph. There were 22 cars that qualified for this race, all looking for their first win. Throughout the day there were some great racing and some upsets that set up a well matched finals. In the finals were Tom Begler VS Mike Murray. The track was hot, but still holding the power. When the lights came down, both left and where on their way. By the 800ft mark Murray broke loose and made a radical move towards the center, making him lift. Begler never looked back and took the win. This is Tom Begler's first win in Top Sportsman. Congratulations to Tom Begler and crew on their win. Also congrats to Mike Murray and crew on their Runner-Up.
Sunday morning let us know it was going to be a scorcher. 23 cars qualified for the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series. Number #1 qualifier was Jeff Fleming with a 6.81 @ 203mph. The field was set after qualifying and the heat was up! Track temps where reaching over 130 degrees, but the track personnel kept on it to give us a good race surface. Today was also the NHRA National Dragsters Challenge day. So our members where racing for 2 prizes, Money and a Wally! Last year's champion Jim Tacchia was here to defend his crown. When first round started there was some great close competition. By the 3rd round Jim was not able to hold on to his title. But by the finals it was a David and Goliath battle, with Erik Carlson in his 62 Impala, dialing a 7.75 VS Tim Kirman with his 2001 Grand Am, dialing a 6.84. When the tree came down Erik left first and never seen Tim, who seen red and lifted. This is the first Wally Erik has won. Congratulations to Erik Carlson and crew on their win. Also congrats to Tim Kirman and crew on their Runner-Up.
The day started out with a rain delay, but finally got under way with Race #5 of the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series. Tim Kirman was #1 qualifier with a 6.75 @ 205mph. There were 22 cars that qualified for this race, all looking for their first win. Throughout the day there were some great racing and some upsets that set up a well matched finals. In the finals were Tom Begler VS Mike Murray. The track was hot, but still holding the power. When the lights came down, both left and where on their way. By the 800ft mark Murray broke loose and made a radical move towards the center, making him lift. Begler never looked back and took the win. This is Tom Begler's first win in Top Sportsman. Congratulations to Tom Begler and crew on their win. Also congrats to Mike Murray and crew on their Runner-Up.
Sunday morning let us know it was going to be a scorcher. 23 cars qualified for the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series. Number #1 qualifier was Jeff Fleming with a 6.81 @ 203mph. The field was set after qualifying and the heat was up! Track temps where reaching over 130 degrees, but the track personnel kept on it to give us a good race surface. Today was also the NHRA National Dragsters Challenge day. So our members where racing for 2 prizes, Money and a Wally! Last year's champion Jim Tacchia was here to defend his crown. When first round started there was some great close competition. By the 3rd round Jim was not able to hold on to his title. But by the finals it was a David and Goliath battle, with Erik Carlson in his 62 Impala, dialing a 7.75 VS Tim Kirman with his 2001 Grand Am, dialing a 6.84. When the tree came down Erik left first and never seen Tim, who seen red and lifted. This is the first Wally Erik has won. Congratulations to Erik Carlson and crew on their win. Also congrats to Tim Kirman and crew on their Runner-Up.
TRI-STATE RACEWAY, EARLVILLE, IA RACES 7 & 8
With the threat of rain everyone wanted to get race #7 in. After qualifying Tim Kirman was #1 with a 6.84 @ 201mph. This is the first time the Midwest Top Sportsman and the Quarter-Max Race Series have invaded Tri-State Raceway. After all the rounds of eliminations it came down to Tim Kirman with his 2001 Grand Am VS Eric Vicary with his 2004 Corvette. When the lights came down both drivers cut about the same light (.032 VS .033). By the top end Tim was reeling Eric in, but needed a little more real-state. Congratulations to Eric Vicary and crew on the win. Also congrats goes to Tim Kirman and crew on their Runner-Up.
Sunday's weather was great for racing. Saying that, Dave Howard was #1 qualifier, Ed Kurth cut the "Perfect Light" and Mike Olenick claimed the bounty from the "Bounty Hunter" purse. There was some great racing throughout the day, but in the finals it was Mike Olenick in his 1995 Beretta VS Steve Howard in his 2000 Camaro. When the tree came down Mike had the better reaction time, but at the finish Steve ran .009 of his dial-in, giving him the win. I guess that is his payback from the perfect package that mike put on him last year in Michigan. Congratulations to Steve Howard and crew on their win. Also congrats goes out to Mike Olenick and crew on their Runner-Up.
With the threat of rain everyone wanted to get race #7 in. After qualifying Tim Kirman was #1 with a 6.84 @ 201mph. This is the first time the Midwest Top Sportsman and the Quarter-Max Race Series have invaded Tri-State Raceway. After all the rounds of eliminations it came down to Tim Kirman with his 2001 Grand Am VS Eric Vicary with his 2004 Corvette. When the lights came down both drivers cut about the same light (.032 VS .033). By the top end Tim was reeling Eric in, but needed a little more real-state. Congratulations to Eric Vicary and crew on the win. Also congrats goes to Tim Kirman and crew on their Runner-Up.
Sunday's weather was great for racing. Saying that, Dave Howard was #1 qualifier, Ed Kurth cut the "Perfect Light" and Mike Olenick claimed the bounty from the "Bounty Hunter" purse. There was some great racing throughout the day, but in the finals it was Mike Olenick in his 1995 Beretta VS Steve Howard in his 2000 Camaro. When the tree came down Mike had the better reaction time, but at the finish Steve ran .009 of his dial-in, giving him the win. I guess that is his payback from the perfect package that mike put on him last year in Michigan. Congratulations to Steve Howard and crew on their win. Also congrats goes out to Mike Olenick and crew on their Runner-Up.
ROUTE 66 RACEWAY RACE #9
The day started off sunny in the upper 70's. The track was prepped and it was time for racing. After qualifying, Tim Kirman was #1 with a 6.79 @ 203mph. 21 cars entered but only 18 where still running for the eliminations. After 1st round Tim Kirman took out race #8 winner Steve Howard, cashing in on the "Bounty Hunter" reward. As the day went on, the temperature was climbing into the 90's and the competition was even closer. When the smoke cleared and the finals came about, it was Rick Sojka in his 1998 Firebird VS Jim Tacchia in his 2010 championship winning, 2002 Firebird. Sojka Racing has had a very tough season till today and was up to the challenge. When the tree came down both cars left hard, but at the finish, Rick Sojka had won. Congratulations to Rick Sojka and crew on their first win of the season. Also congrats goes out to Jim Tacchia on their Runner-Up. Just a little note on the Car of Rick Sojka, JT Racing Engines is owned by Jim Tacchia, he built the engine and the crew member of Jims, Dave Howard tuned the chassis on the winning car. On Tuesday, 4 days before the race, these two teams started assembling the engine and car for this race. Great job by both teams!!!
The day started off sunny in the upper 70's. The track was prepped and it was time for racing. After qualifying, Tim Kirman was #1 with a 6.79 @ 203mph. 21 cars entered but only 18 where still running for the eliminations. After 1st round Tim Kirman took out race #8 winner Steve Howard, cashing in on the "Bounty Hunter" reward. As the day went on, the temperature was climbing into the 90's and the competition was even closer. When the smoke cleared and the finals came about, it was Rick Sojka in his 1998 Firebird VS Jim Tacchia in his 2010 championship winning, 2002 Firebird. Sojka Racing has had a very tough season till today and was up to the challenge. When the tree came down both cars left hard, but at the finish, Rick Sojka had won. Congratulations to Rick Sojka and crew on their first win of the season. Also congrats goes out to Jim Tacchia on their Runner-Up. Just a little note on the Car of Rick Sojka, JT Racing Engines is owned by Jim Tacchia, he built the engine and the crew member of Jims, Dave Howard tuned the chassis on the winning car. On Tuesday, 4 days before the race, these two teams started assembling the engine and car for this race. Great job by both teams!!!
ROUTE 66 RACEWAY RACE #10
Race #10 of our 12 race series and the last race of the season at RT66 Raceway. Today we will be crowning to Winners, one the "Route 66 Track Champion" and the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series race #10 winner. The day started off with some bad news. In 2nd rd of qualifying, Chuck Reed had some mechanical problems at top end, which put his car on its side and backwards sliding down the track. When the car flipped back onto all 4's, the track safety crew was on it and at work to get Chuck out of the car. When Chuck emerged he was shook up but ok. the car wasn't so lucky, but because of the safety equipment and structure of these cars, the driver has a better chance of coming out ok. We thank the safety crew at RT66 for their fast acting on the situation. We trust our lives with these guys! After the track was cleared, qualifying continued. Tim Kirman was #1 qualifier with a 6.78 @204mph. The RT66 Track Champion was up for grabs and there were 4 drivers in contention to win. Mike Murray was leading in points, but nobody was giving up. In the 1st round points leader Mike Murray had come to the starting line with a brake problem and had to break the beam and abort his run. This now left the door wide open. Throughout eliminations there was some great racing and big upsets. But when the smoke cleared and the finals where here, it was Bill Rotz in his 1963 Corvette VS Don Baxter in his 2008 dodge Stratus. Pryor to this run, Don and his crew where thrashing on his trans right to the wire, to make it into these finals. There was some extra pressure on Bill Rotz. If Bill is to win, he would win race #10 and become RT66 track champion. Too much! When the tree came down both cars left hard, by the 1/8 mile marker it looked as if Dons car started to move around, Bill never looked back and the winning lights lit up on his side of the track. Congratulations to Bill Rotz and crew on their double header win, winning race #10 and becoming the "Route 66 Track Champion". Also congrats goes out to Don Baxter and crew on their Runner-Up.
Race #10 of our 12 race series and the last race of the season at RT66 Raceway. Today we will be crowning to Winners, one the "Route 66 Track Champion" and the MWTS/Quarter-Max Race Series race #10 winner. The day started off with some bad news. In 2nd rd of qualifying, Chuck Reed had some mechanical problems at top end, which put his car on its side and backwards sliding down the track. When the car flipped back onto all 4's, the track safety crew was on it and at work to get Chuck out of the car. When Chuck emerged he was shook up but ok. the car wasn't so lucky, but because of the safety equipment and structure of these cars, the driver has a better chance of coming out ok. We thank the safety crew at RT66 for their fast acting on the situation. We trust our lives with these guys! After the track was cleared, qualifying continued. Tim Kirman was #1 qualifier with a 6.78 @204mph. The RT66 Track Champion was up for grabs and there were 4 drivers in contention to win. Mike Murray was leading in points, but nobody was giving up. In the 1st round points leader Mike Murray had come to the starting line with a brake problem and had to break the beam and abort his run. This now left the door wide open. Throughout eliminations there was some great racing and big upsets. But when the smoke cleared and the finals where here, it was Bill Rotz in his 1963 Corvette VS Don Baxter in his 2008 dodge Stratus. Pryor to this run, Don and his crew where thrashing on his trans right to the wire, to make it into these finals. There was some extra pressure on Bill Rotz. If Bill is to win, he would win race #10 and become RT66 track champion. Too much! When the tree came down both cars left hard, by the 1/8 mile marker it looked as if Dons car started to move around, Bill never looked back and the winning lights lit up on his side of the track. Congratulations to Bill Rotz and crew on their double header win, winning race #10 and becoming the "Route 66 Track Champion". Also congrats goes out to Don Baxter and crew on their Runner-Up.