9/4/2017
US 13 Dragway
VERNON POWELL WINS – CHAMPIONS DETERMINED SUNDAY
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE – The U.S. 13 Dragway staff managed to work in the final point race of the season Sunday. A heavy mist early in the day required extra effort to dry out the strip before presenting time runs and eliminations. At the end of the night, Vernon Powell of Salisbury, Md. had posted his first win in Top ET while Daryl Beauchamp of Princess Anne, Md. captured Mod ET and Drew Birch of Whaleyville, Md. rode to the win in Pro Bike. Other winners of the day included: Michael Jefferson of Parsonsburg, Md. in Street; Adam Pusey of Cape Charles, Va. in Hot Rod; Web Bowie of Greensboro, Md. in Diesel; Cole Foskey of Rhodesdale, Md. in Jr. Dragster 1 and Brett Holston of Felton, Del. in Jr. Dragster 2.
The event was also the season finale for IHRA U.S. 13 track points and SBRA (Southern Bracket Racing Assoc.) track points. Capturing 2017 Point Championships were: Jamie Russell of Dover, Del. in both IHRA & SBRA Top ET; Ben Garnett of Smyrna, Del. in both IHRA & SBRA Mod ET; Jason Taylor of Salisbury in IHRA Pro Bike and Harvey Powell of Felton, Del. in SBRA Pro Bike; Michael Jefferson in IHRA Street and Gary Stickles of Delmar, Md. in SBRA Street; Cole Foskey in both IHRA & SBRA Jr. Dragster 1 and Brett Holston in both IHRA & SBRA Jr. Dragster 2.
In eliminations it was Vernon Powell driving is ‘96 Ed Quay dragster up against Jamie Russell in his ‘97 Dragster. It was a close race from start to finish with Powell score his first win with an 8.360/156.87 on an 8.35 dial. Russell wrapped up his championship as the runner-up with a 7.425/179.24 on a 7.40 dial. In the Semi-finals Jamie Russell defeated his father Vernon Russell while Powell had the bye run.
Darryl Beauchamp in his ‘78 Camaro was matched against Ben Garnett in his ‘71 Ford Maverick.
Garnett had the better reaction but broke out with a 9.100/142.74 on a 9.11 dial-in but still came out on top in points. Beauchamp ran a 9.713/135.66 on a 9.69 dial to take the win. Semi-finalist was Brice Cornish, Sr. who lost to Garnett while Beauchamp had the bye.
Drew Birch on his Kawasaki rode into the Pro Bike final facing Evan Melson on his ZX14. Birch had the quicker reaction time and rode to the win with a 9.091/138.37 on a 9.05 dial. Melson had a 10.626/126.72 on a 10.55 dial. Semi-finalist was Antaine Nock who lost to Birch while Melson had the bye.
Michael Jefferson topped off his championship season with a win over Brandon Layfield in Street Eliminator. Layfield left early and fouled and Jefferson coasted his Camaro to the line after seeing the win light come on in his lane.
Virginia’s Adam Pusey made the long ride worth while taking the win in Hot Rod over Frank Parks. Parks appeared to be headed to the win after a massive hole shot but broke out in his ‘68 Thunderbird with an 11.453/115.74 on an 11.50 dial. Pusey stayed over his dial to take the win with an 11.448/113.65 on an 11.21 dial.
A Deisel bracket was added on Sunday with Wes Bowie in his ‘06 Duramax taking on the ‘15 Ford F250 of Shelley Pavone. Bowie had the better reaction and took the win with a 16.217/80.42 on a 16.07 dial. Pavone ran a 16.537/86.40 on a 16.40 dial.
Both Jr. Dragster winners were in their championship form. In Jr. 1, Cole Foskey took the win with an 11.993/53.46 on an 11.90 dial after Autumn Huber left a little too early and red lighted. In Jr. 2, Brett Holston had the better reaction and went on to the win over Carter Foskey. Holston ran a 7.988/81.90 on a 7.96 dial while Foskey had a 7.998/80.72 on a 7.98 dial.
