TOP GUN HOSTS NHRA PACIFIC OPEN

FALLON, NV (June 9) – Top Gun Drag Strip, located south of Fallon, hosted the NHRA Pacific National Open this weekend. It was a Division 7 double header of horsepower and fantastic speed as every one from kids to adults got their chance on the strip.

The NHRA brought Super Street, Super Comp, Super Gas as well as Super stock/Stock Combo cars to this meet. These were combined with the usual Summit ET classes.

In addition, since it’s their last points race for the NHRA District 7, there were over 60 Junior Dragsters on hand in various age groups.

Setting the highest speeds of the day and lowest ET were those racing in Super Comp. The winning driver was John Rolandelli, who also was the #! Qualifier had a top speed of 206.76 at the end of his final run.

Next next down in the speed chart was the Super Comp Class as Justin Morgan, from Sacramento, posted a fast pass of 162.76 mph in his final run. The #1 qualifier was Pete Cerda with a fast speed of 163.73.

While waiting for his trophy Sunday Morgan said, “It was a pretty great day, obviously since we won. A lot of tough competition and the track was kind of playing some tricks on us so with the wind and everything.

“It was kind of hard to finding the dial every single time but I think everybody else was kind of in the same boat. Once you get to halftrack you can really feel the wind pushing on you, if it’s going the other way you can kind of feel the car is really moving.”

Then he thanked his parents and soon to be wife Dana as well as sponsors DeNova Homes, Red Line Oil, K&N Filters, Goodyear Tires and those that help him.

Mark Fenton from Helendale, California was the Super Gas winner with an ET of 10.313 seconds and Jim Schmid was the #1 qualifier with an ET of 10.300 seconds.

Moving to Super Street the champion was Joe Janusch from Orangeville, California who posted a winning ET of 11.326 and also was the #1 qualifier for the class.

The Super Stock/Stock Combo champion Dennis Paz, may have had the oldest car, a 1965 El Camino. His winning ET was 12.166 seconds while the #1 qualifier for the class was Steve Valkanoff, who posted an ET of 13.204 seconds.

Asked about his day Paz, who lives in Stockton, California said, “The car was giving them a hard time, it’s the slowest car in the class but slow doesn’t always mean you’re going to get there second. As long as you get there in front of your opponent and a little bit of luck helps. The track was great, I think it was good for everybody I don’t think anybody had any problems with the track.”

After admitting he was self sponsored Paz thanked his wife and daughter for their support.

While most of the car and dragster class winners were from other states there were a couple of locals that won. One of them was Fallon resident Lonnie Grace that used a very well turned out Cavalier to score the Super Pro championship.

When this reporter caught up with him Grace was explaining how he used a bit of rear steer to help his car track better.

Then he said, “The track’s exceptionally good here at a national event. They do a real good job of prepping it plus we have a lot of big horsepower cars that can put rubber all the way down the track. Our 60’s are a couple of hundreds better than normal ET race here. It makes the car leave really nice and the racing was close as at the final round the difference was 41 thousands of a second while the top end was 155 mph.”

Then he thanked his employer and sponsor Frank’s Automotive as well as Fallon NAPA Auto Parts for their support.

The final pass for the Pro ET championship was between at Corvette and a Roadrunner. Nick Bublitz, from Cotati, California prevailed, which gave him a double as he also won in Sportsman ET where he again faced a Roadrunner that was driven by Reno’s Dave DuBose.

Also on hand were seven motorcycles running in an ET Class and Dayton╒s Zach Clarke was the #1 qualifier. It was an all Fallon final as Josh Bolt won over Dominic Davis.

While waiting to get his Wally Trophy Bolt said, “I’m racing a 2005 Buell with a 1200cc Harley motor. I’m kind of a regular here, just started this year. That’s exciting as hell and One of the funniest things I’ve ever done. I want to thank everybody, the guys here at the track run an awesome show. I also want to thank everybody that╒s showing as it’s awesome to see these people here.”

There were over 60 Junior Dragsters on hand as well as Junior Comp dragsters. The latter use a motorcycle engine that many times is hooked up to a six-speed transmission.

All these young drivers race on a half-track or 1/8 miles so they don╒t use the full quarter mile strip. Still their reaction times are pretty darn good when compared with the adult drivers.

The youngest are the 6- to 9-year-olds and their champion was Troy Barton from Norwalk, California with a winning speed of 51.29 mph. The class #1 qualifier was Wigley Lloyd with a speed of 55.22 mph.

Next on the age ladder are the 10- to 12-year-olds and Kade Renoll from El Mirage, Arizona was the champion with a top speed of 69.38 mph. Number one qualifier was Jessica Boardman with a top speed of 73.96 mph.

Moving up the 13- to 14-year-olds had one racer that probably traveled the farthest to get to Fallon. Kyle Rapozo is from Lihue, Hawaii and was the #1 qualifier.

His father said the trailer was put on a barge that makes regular runs to San Diego. That╒s where they picked up before towing to Fallon.

After the final runs Drake Padgett, from Santa Pauls, California was the champion with an ET of 7.922 that bested Macie Gordon╒s final ET of 7.928 so it was a close finish.

Next step up the age ladder is the 15- to 17-year-old class. After the final run Tabitha Boardman, from Las Vegas, was the champion while runner up Braden Bettis apparently was unable to make his final run after earning the #1 qualifier spot.

Finally there was Junior Comp and after the final run Sydney Kopping, from Placerville, California was the champion with a 100.77 mph run while runner up Tyler Smith had a final run of 98.10 mph. The #1 qualifier was Myka Lopez with a run of 96.58 mph.

• Saturday was kind of a marathon with the morning full of practice runs for all divisions, including the large group of Junior Dragsters.

When the final runs were completed David Morgan was the Nor-Cal Top Comp champion. In Super Pro it was Troy Rainwater that ended up the day╒s champion.

Dennis Paz topped the Pro ET class while Nick Bublitz was the Sportsman ET champion. It was a great day for Tommy Brown as he won the ET Motorcycle Class.

Moving into the younger classes Kaitlyn Savolt was the Junior Comp champ while Jace Renoll scored the 6 to 9 Junior Dragster title. In othe other Junior Dragster classes Jacob Collins was the 10 to 12 winner, Macie Gordon was the 13 to 14 winner and Michael Gidcumb topped the 15 to 17 class.

Now Top Gun Drag Strip is quiet again until their next round of the local series. Most of the out of town visitors are either home or almost there, with the possible exception of the team from Hawaii.

Those wishing further information on the track can either go to their website, www.topgundragstrip.com or check out their Face Book page.

REPORTER’S NOTE:

• I’ve included a photo gallery after the results. If you would like to see more great photos from the weekend please check www.problemchilddesigns.net. It╒s from the track photographer and I will say he does great work.

OTHER RACING NEWS:

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RESULTS:

NHRA PACIFIC NATIONAL OPEN

TOP GUN DRAG STRIP

Final Round Results:

• Sunday, June 9, 2019

     +Top Comp: 1. John Rolandelli, (ET 6.587, MPH 206.760, 2. Terry White, (ET 7.594, MPH 166.68).   

#1 Qualifier: John Rolandelli, (ET 6.514, MPH   210.21).

     + Super Comp: 1. Justin Morgan (ET 9.295, MPH 162.76), 2. Keith Winters, (ET 9.212, MPH 169.06).     

      #1 Qualifier: Pete Cerda, (ET 9.301, MPH 163.73.).

     + Super Gas: 1. Mark Fenton, (ET 10.313, MPH 137.11), 2. Jim Pernak, (ET 10.293, MPH 143.96).

     #! Qualifier: JimSchmid, (ET 10.300, MPH 128.22).

     + Super Street: 1. Joe Janusch, (ET 11.326,     MPH 128.26), 2. Anthony Boussard, (ET 11.377, MPH 144.15).

     #1 Qualifier: Joe Janusch, (ET 11.304, MPH 129.48).

     + Super Stock/Stock Combo: 1. Dennis Paz, (ET12.166, MPH 104.03), 2. Rich Pinoski, (ET 10.759, MPH 104.97.

     #1 Qualifier: Steve Valkanoff, (ET 13.204, MPH 102.42).

     + SUPER PRO:1. Lonnie Grace, (ET 8.803, MPH 154.99), 2. Troy Rainwater (ET 8.178, MPH  163.06).

     #1 Qualifier: Tom Brown (Reaction Time 0.006, MPH 121.50);

     + PRO ET:1. Nick Bblitz, (ET 12.978, MPH 104.75), 2. Tom Brown, (ET 11.665, MPH  114.30).

     #1 Qualifier: Eric Doukas, (Reaction Time  0.003, MPH 120.36).

     + Sportsman ET: 1. Nick Bublitz, (ET      13.038, MPH  99.91), 2. Dave Dubose, (ET 12.172, MPH 105.80).

      #1 Qualifier: Philip Sabatino, (Reaction Time 0.023, MPH 103.83).

     + ET Motorcycle: 1. Josh Bolt, (ET 12.081, MPH 104.14), 2. Dominic Davis, (ET 12.393, MPH 104.64)

     #1 Qualifier: 1. Zach Clarke, (Reaction Time 0.033, MPH 114.39)

REPORTER’S NOTE: Junior Drag racers and Junior Comp race 1/8th of a mile and not the full l/4 mile strip.

     +Junior Drags 6-9:1. Troy Barton, (ET 12.734, MPH  51.29), 2. Blaine DeNunzio,   (ET 12.063, MPH 55.15).

     #1 Qualifier: 1. Wigley Lloyd, (Reaction Time 0.008, MPH 55.22).

     + Junior Drags 10-12: 1. Kade Renoll, (ET  9.006, MPH 69.38), 2. Paige Smith, (ET 9.100, MPH 71.08).

     #1 Qualifier: Jessica Boardman, (Reaction Time 0.011, MPH 73.96).

     + Junior Drags 13-14: 1. Drake Padgett, (ET 7.922, MPH 80.98), 2. Macie Gordon, ET  7.928, MPH 80.79     

#1 Qualifier: Kyle Rapozo, (Reaction Time  0.000, MPH 81.76).

     + Junior Drags: 1. Tabitha Boardman, (ET 7.886, MPH 82.77), 2. Braden Bettis (No time listed so either broke or unable to make the run.)

     #1 Qualifier: Branden Bettis, (Reaction Time 0.004, MPH 82.42).

     + Junior Comp: 1. Sydney Kopping, (ET 6.876, MPH 100.77), 2. Tyler Smith, (ET   6.867, MPH 98.10).

      #1 Qualifier: Myka Lopez, (ET 6.927, MPH 96.58)

• Saturday, June 8:

     + Nor-Cal Top Comp: 1. David Morgan, (ET 6.791, MPH 189.39), 2. Terry White, (ET 7.546, MPH 176.21).

      #1 Qualifier: John Rolandelli, (Reaction 00.07, ET 6.514).

     + Super Pro: 1. Troy Rainwater, (ET 8.183, MPH 162.98), 2. Steve Schmid, (ET 10.288, MPH 149.78

     #1 Qualifier: Hannah Cook (Reaction 0.004, MPH 169.57).

     + Pro ET: 1. Dennis Paz, (ET 12.184, MPH 96.79), 2. David Schnepp, (ET 10.767, MPH  128.42).

     #1 Qualifer: Steve Tintinger, (Reaction 0.000, MPH 136.18)

     + Sportman ET: 1. Nick Bublitz,, (ET 12.862, MPH  113.38), 2. Mike Holland, (ET 14.556, MPH 90.3).

     #1 Qualifer: Dennis Bowman, (Reaction 0.001, MPH 97.44).

     + ET Motorcycle: 1. Tommy Brown, (ET 12.004, MPH 109.02), 2. Gary Stoffer, (ET 10.331, MPH 128.10).

     #1 Qualifier: Gary Stoffer, (Reaction 0.018, MPH 130.83).

     + Junior Comp: 1. Kaitlyn Savolt, (ET 6.898, MPH 97.31), 2. Tyler Smith, (ET 6.895, MPH 97.92).

     #1 Qualifer: Kaitlyn Savolt, (ET 6.900, MPH 98.75).

     + Junior Drags 6-9: 1. Jace Renoll, (ET 14.046, MPH 44.29), 2. Adeline Porche, (ET 14.460, MPH 42.86).

     #1 Qualifier: Cole Gutierrez, (Reaction 0.017, MPH 54.62).

     + Junior Drags 10-12: 1. Jacob Collins, (ET 9.536, MPH 69.06), 2. Jacob Hodges, (ET 8.841, MPH 75.55).

     #1 Qualifer: Kayslee Price, (Reaction 0.004, MPH 69.46)

     Junior Drags 13-14: 1. Macie Gordon,(ET 7.858, MPH 84.22), 2. Madison Gordon, (ET 7.864, MPH 84.38).

     #1 Qualifier: Jordan Rainwater, (Reaction 0.004, MPH 77.33).

     Junior Drags 15-17: 1. Michael Gidcumb, (ET 7.926, MPH 81.63), 2. Keoki DeSa, (ET 7.39, MPH 83.73).

     #1 Qualifier: Braden Bettis, (Reaction 0.001, MPH 82.53).

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