Las Vegas¿ Shields wins NHRA Div. 7 Top Alcohol Dragster finale at The Strip;
Complete final round results for Short Line Express Markets Gambler Nationals
LAS VEGAS ¿ The four-day NHRA Div. 7 Finals ¿ Short Line Express Markets Gambler Nationals is now history. Of 908 entries, only one local racer claimed a final-round victory: Duane Shields, the event¿s sponsor. On Saturday, Shields earned No. 1 Qualifier status and also Top Speed of the meet in the Top Alcohol Dragster class with a pass 5.374 sec./270.00 mph. Duane faced Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., in the final round. Although Thacker posted a better reaction time (.027 to Shields¿ .050), Shields crossed the finish line first at 5.403 sec./266.32 mph. This weekend¿s event was the final race of the 2003 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Arizona¿s Craig Treble, last week¿s Pro Stock Bike winner during the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip, finished runner-up in the Kerker Motorcycle category.
Perfect reaction times of .000 were posted in final rounds by winners Stan Leerkamp (Top Comp) and Peter Biondo (Super Stock).
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Winner: Duane Shields (Las Vegas) ¿03 Hadman dragster 5.403 sec./266.32 mph.
Runner-up: Marty Thacker (Robinson, Ill.) ¿01 Hadman dragster 5.487 sec./257.68 mph.
No. 1 Qualifier: Duane Shields 5.374 sec.
Low E.T.: Duane Shields 5.374 sec.
Top Speed: Duane Shields 270.00 mph.
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Winner: Cy Chesterman (Sioux City, Iowa) ¿99 Trans Am 5.720 sec./251.25 mph.
Runner-up: Steve Gasparrelli (W. Covina, Calif.) ¿03 Firebird 5.741 sec./242.15 mph.
No. 1 Qualifier: Steve Gasparrelli 5.618 sec.
Low E.T.: Steve Gasparrelli 5.618 sec.
Top Speed: Steve Gasparrelli 255.68 mph.
COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Winner: Gary Carter (Glendale, Ariz.) ¿02 ET Race Cars 9.009 sec./128.97 mph.
Runner-up: Santo Volpe (Drums, Pa.) ¿34 roadster (foul) 19.002 sec./83.21 mph.
SUPER STOCK
Winner: Peter Biondo (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) ¿00 Firebird 10.438 sec./128.65 mph.
Runner-up: Kevin Nicks (Golden, Colo.) ¿70 Plymouth 10.093 sec./125.83 mph.
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Winner: Dan Fletcher (Churchville, N.Y.) ¿69 Camaro 10.827 sec./118.48 mph.
Runner-up: Brad Plourd (Covington, Wash.) ¿96 Corvette 11.070 sec./117.04 mph.
SUPER COMP
Winner: ¿Fast Jack¿ Beckman (North Hills, Calif.) ¿98 dragster 9.072 sec./163.16 mph.
Runner-up: Ed Olpin (Lindon, Utah) ¿98 Nielson dragster 9.041 sec./160.58 sec.
SUPER GAS
Winner: Robert Coleman (Columbia, Mo.) ¿27 Ford 10.055 sec./136.66 mph.
Runner-up: George Scott III (Graham, Wash.) ¿92 Camaro 10.061 sec./161.27 mph.
SUPER STREET
Winner: Brett Waldron (Port Angeles, Wash.) ¿67 Camaro 11.090 sec./138.74 mph.
Runner-up: Bob Munoz (Tacoma, Wash.) ¿55 Chevrolet 11.099 sec./123.05 mph.
SUPER ELIMINATOR
Winner: Dean Hall (Guernerville, Calif.) ¿95 Sarmento dragster 8.036 sec./174.50 mph.
Runner-up: Bill Webber (Kingman, Ariz.) ¿00 Boulton dragster 8.060 sec./170.99 mph.
KERKER MOTORCYCLE
Winner: Greg Liskey (Salinas, Calif.) ¿85 Suzuki 9.646 sec./133.84 mph.
Runner-up: Craig Treble (Chandler, Ariz.) ¿98 Kawasaki 9.038 sec./137.40 mph.
TOP COMP
Winner: Stan Leerkamp (Olympia, Wash.) ¿01 Mullis dragster 7.524 sec./177.65 mph.
Runner-up: Wes Garvin III (Kennewick, Wash.) ¿23 Ford 7.563 sec./174.57 mph.
Next event at The Strip at LVMS: Titan Auto Insurance Midnight Mayhem ¿ Extreme Mayhem Jam.
Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Midnight Mayhem is The Strip¿s safe alternative to illegal street racing. $10 to race, $5 for spectators. Nov. 7 event includes drifting exhibition, bikini contest, hip-hop DJs and live performers, car show, burnout contest, midway attractions.