MARTIN, Mich. — The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Sportsman Spectacular presented by Hagerty and Moser Engineering returned this weekend with fierce competition at “The Fastest Track in Michigan,” US 131 Motorsports Park, Saturday and Sunday.
A huge field of over 400-plus cars competed Saturday to see who would take home the $5,000 top prize in the Top and Mod classes.
In the Top finals Saturday, Edmond Richardson, who made a 500-plus mile trip from Greenbrier, Tenn., defeated Mia Tedesco, from Pittsburgh, Pa. Richardson had a final run of 5.910 seconds at 115.62 mph against a 5.92 dial-in. Tedesco was too quick at the start red lighting with a -.004-reaction time 4.979 second pass at 112.02 mph.
In the Mod finals on Saturday, Shane Daugherty from Kokomo, Ind., took home the win over runner-up Mark Hancock from Cedar Springs, Mich. Daugherty had a final pass of 6.332 seconds at 107.99 mph against a 6.32 dial-in. Hancock, had a final run of 6.529 seconds at 106.41 mph against a 6.54 dial-in.
In the Street finals on Saturday, Deana Sherbondy from La Porte, Ind., claimed the win over Alexis Thompson from Grand Haven, Mich. Sherbondy had a final run of 7.909 seconds at 80.47 mph against a 7.81 dial-in. Thompson had a final run of 8.295 seconds at 88.51 mph against a 7.62 dial-in.
In the Junior Dragster Beginner final Saturday, Conner Sebright from Holland, Mich., defeated Aliyah Pitsch from Dorr, Mich. Sebright had a final run of 12.133 seconds at 52.55 mph. Pitsch had a final run of 12.014 seconds at 54.46 mph.
In the Junior Dragster Advanced final Saturday, Aurora Wanamaker from Plainwell, Mich., defeated Karlie Denbleyker from Zeeland, Mich. Wanamaker’s winning pass saw her finish with a 9.053 second pass at 70.98 mph. Denbleyker had a final run of 9.332 seconds at 70.10 mph.
In the Junior Dragster Master final Saturday, Peyten Jimenez from Waterford, Mich., claimed the win over Ava Tiburzi from Ann Arbor, Mich. Jimenez had a winning pass of 7.916 seconds at 82.01 mph. Tiburzi had a final run of 7.898 seconds at 82.96 mph.
Strong car counts continued Sunday with over 500-plus cars competing to see who would claim the $5,000 prize in the Top and Mod class.
Jeff Burdess of Hemlock, Mich., defeated Joey Harrison from White Hall, Md., to claim the Top victory on Sunday. Burdess had a final run of 5.758 seconds at 115.80 mph against a 5.74 dial-in. Harrison had a 6.289 second run at 110.86 mph against a 6.24 dial-in.
In the Mod finals Sunday, Jeff Green from Grand Haven, Mich., took home the victory over Justin Wanamaker from Kalamazoo, Mich. Green had a run of 6.038 seconds at 115.12 mph against a 6.04 dial-in. Wanamaker was too quick on the tree red lighting with a -.014 reaction-time.
Kyle Wanamaker from Martin, Mich., claimed the win in the Street class Sunday over Tyler Nelkin from West Bloomfield, Mich. Wanamaker had a 9.369 second pass at 70.88 mph against a 9.32 dial-in. Nelkin’s final run saw him run at 8.910 second at 76.95 mph against a 8.88 dial-in.
In the Junior Dragster Beginner final on Sunday, Rebekah Peterson from Richland, Mich., defeated Benjamin Sarauer from Burlington, Wis. Peterson winning effort results in a 12.125 second pass at 52.51 mph. Sarauer had a 11.972 second pass at 51.67 mph
Molly Parish from Kalamazoo, Mich., took home win over Roman Iocoangeli from Monroe, Mich., in the Junior Dragster Advanced final Sunday. Parish had a final run of 9.099 second at 70.48 mph. Iocoangeli had a final run of 8.899 second at 73.73 mph.
In the Junior Dragster Master final Sunday, Hunter Scholten from West Olive, Mich., defeated Tyler Howard from Battle Creek, Mich. Scholten’s winning effort saw him run a 7.920 second pass at 81.70 mph. Howard’s losing effort saw him run a 8.120 second pass at 78.18 mph.
The IHRA Sportsman Spectacular heads to Darlington Dragway, July 11-12 for a thrilling double race weekend.
- All Sports
