Written by Michael Johnson
Photos by the NMRA Staff
World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway has a long, storied history when it comes to Mustang drag racing. So many Ford-oriented drag races have taken place here it’s almost like a second home for racers and fans alike. World Wide Technology Raceway was the perfect spot to host the Holley NMRA Race for the Rings.
World Wide Technology was a great host, as the race provided both drama and unforeseen adversity. Added drama was provided by the Race for the Rings, where in each respective class the points leader was matched up against the top qualifier to win a coveted Nitto Tire Diamond Tree ring. Ask any Holley NMRA or Red Line Oil NMCA racer who has one, and they’ll tell you winning a Nitto Tire Diamond Tree ring is a huge deal.
The adversity came Saturday evening when a wicked little storm rolled through World Wide Technology Raceway, ending the day, and also causing a lot of damage to the track, knocking out power, tearing down trees, and blowing everything in its path into the next county. Many a racer lost their EZ Up tent, as there were mangled tent skeletons scattered in various locations across the pits.
However, before the rain and wind, spectators were treated to the NMRA Thrill Festival, which included the World’s Largest Bigfoot Monster Truck, an FMX Motocross Stunt Show, Flame-Throwing Jet Cars, Huge Car Show and Massive Midway, and the NMRA/NMCA Fan Experience where spectators would win free swag. Bigfoot is always a huge treat, pardon the pun, but witnessing the USA FMX team doing backflips, Supermans, and tail grabs over the World’s Largest Monster Truck was an added bonus for spectators.
In addition to all that, the action on the drag strip was providing its own set of special thrills to the excitement of all. The drama on the track is what NMRA fans have come to love, from heads-up, to index classes, where racers battled it out each round to arrive at an event win. A trip to the NMRA Winner’s Circle is what every NMRA racer seeks, complete with NMRA President and CEO Steve Wolcott holding up an oversize check with their name on it.
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With the Race for the Rings being a combo Holley NMRA and Red Line Oil NMCA event that meant VP Racing Fuels Renegade and Edelbrock Xtreme Street ran in one large class, VP/Edelbrock Xtreme Renegade. Thankfully, Joel Greathouse races under the NMRA umbrella, as he qualified in the top spot with a 4.49, and he had a little luck on his side in the final when Ray Cox redlighted because it appeared Greathouse may have hurt something mechanically, causing him to be off of his regular pace.
In Vengeance Clutch Coyote Stock, racers are looking for any ounce of performance improvement over the course of a race weekend. Any number in a positive direction is the goal. When qualifying was over, the top 8 competitors were in the 9.70s. Throughout a super competitive day of eliminations, it would come down to Ed Bennett and Nate Stymiest in the final, racing brother Shane Stymiest’s Coyote Stocker. Stymiest appeared to spin at the hit, and that’s all the room Bennett needed to take the win with a 9.69 to a 9.82.
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Richmond Gear Factory Stock has been the Mike Bowen show for a minute in his 1971 Maverick. The Holley NMRA Race for the Rings was no different. Bowen qualified number 1, won a Nitto Tire Diamond Tree ring, and then ran a 10.flat against Mark Anderson. In the final, Damien Stephens did his best to get an advantage at the tree, but he pushed it a tad too much, redlighting, giving Bowen the win.
The Suncoast Performance 8.60 Street Race class has proven to be a popular addition to the Holley NMRA lineup as 23 racers suited up, with Chris Tino taking the top qualifying spot, which is based on reaction time. When the dust settled, it would be Cody Poston and Logan Day in the final, and neither qualified anywhere near the top of the class. However, when it counted, Poston and Day made it happen all the way to the final, where Poston went too quick, as did Day, but Day by the lesser amount, taking the win.
In Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts Street Bandit, Mike Winters has had a stranglehold on the class so far, but he exited earlier than normal. It would be James Meredith in his Capri against Braden Creamer in his spotless Four-Eye in the final, where both racers ran too quick, but Meredith by the lesser amount, taking the win. Score one for age and experience over youth.
For FSC Truck & SUV, Robert Chuhran qualified in the top spot, but came up a little short in the Race for the Rings against Greg Collins. Piloting his 1991 Ford Ranger, Collins carried that momentum through to the final, getting the overall event win with an 11.749 on an 11.73 dial over Tim Jacobsen on a breakout.
In ARP Open Comp, Dennis Corn and his 1988 Thunderbird won the Race for the Rings, earning the coveted Nitto Tire Diamond Tree Ring over Taylor Dietsch, but Dietsch would come back in the end to line up against his dad Jason in the final. It would be youth over age and experience with Taylor getting the better reaction time over Jason to take the win.
Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle, the class saw two NMRA regulars return to action with Roxanne Shepard and Scott Lovell both competing at the Race for the Rings. However, Jason Sloan and Tim Matherly will be eating well at The Sizzler Sunday night because Charlie McCulloch got the win over Dean Snow in the final on a breakout.
In HP Tuners Super Stang, Rodney Ward has been on a charge as of late, and he looked to continue his winning ways by taking the top qualifying spot, which is based on reaction time. However, Mike Moistner and Daniel Roock would be the last ones standing in the final round where Moistner did his best to give it away with a slow reaction time, he made up for it down track, running an 11.87 on an 11.86 dial to take the win.
CJ Pony Parts Ford Muscle has a broad mix of Ford vehicles competing for the win every race, from a Falcon to a Ranchero to every year Mustang in between. It would come down to a pair of classic Mustangs in the 1972 Mach 1 of Clyde Dunphy and the 1970 Mach 1 of David Mormann. Reaction times were a wash, but Dunphy had the better overall pass with a 10.52 on a 10.50 dial, compared to Mormann’s 10.81 on a 10.75 dial.
Circle D Specialties NMCA/NMRA True Street drivers went for a 30-mile cruise around World Wide Technology Raceway before returning and ripping down track in their street cars. Tim Gehrs was the overall winner with an 8.20 average and is now the owner of a Nitto Diamond Tree Ring, and Willie Lujan was the runner-up with an 8.75 average. Standout performance were also put on by Bob Hoffman (9-second winner), Ricky Holcomb (10-second winner), David Schuler (11-second winner), Elaine Moistner (12-second winner), Trey Hamlin (13-second winner), Victoria Riehle (14-second winner) and Joe Parisi (15-second winner).
The Holley NMRA series now heads to Norwalk for the NMRA Ford Homecoming race June 6th-9th, where the party lasts like it’s 1999 all over again.
Photos by the NMRA Staff
World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway has a long, storied history when it comes to Mustang drag racing. So many Ford-oriented drag races have taken place here it’s almost like a second home for racers and fans alike. World Wide Technology Raceway was the perfect spot to host the Holley NMRA Race for the Rings.
World Wide Technology was a great host, as the race provided both drama and unforeseen adversity. Added drama was provided by the Race for the Rings, where in each respective class the points leader was matched up against the top qualifier to win a coveted Nitto Tire Diamond Tree ring. Ask any Holley NMRA or Red Line Oil NMCA racer who has one, and they’ll tell you winning a Nitto Tire Diamond Tree ring is a huge deal.
The adversity came Saturday evening when a wicked little storm rolled through World Wide Technology Raceway, ending the day, and also causing a lot of damage to the track, knocking out power, tearing down trees, and blowing everything in its path into the next county. Many a racer lost their EZ Up tent, as there were mangled tent skeletons scattered in various locations across the pits.
However, before the rain and wind, spectators were treated to the NMRA Thrill Festival, which included the World’s Largest Bigfoot Monster Truck, an FMX Motocross Stunt Show, Flame-Throwing Jet Cars, Huge Car Show and Massive Midway, and the NMRA/NMCA Fan Experience where spectators would win free swag. Bigfoot is always a huge treat, pardon the pun, but witnessing the USA FMX team doing backflips, Supermans, and tail grabs over the World’s Largest Monster Truck was an added bonus for spectators.
In addition to all that, the action on the drag strip was providing its own set of special thrills to the excitement of all. The drama on the track is what NMRA fans have come to love, from heads-up, to index classes, where racers battled it out each round to arrive at an event win. A trip to the NMRA Winner’s Circle is what every NMRA racer seeks, complete with NMRA President and CEO Steve Wolcott holding up an oversize check with their name on it.
With the Race for the Rings being a combo Holley NMRA and Red Line Oil NMCA event that meant VP Racing Fuels Renegade and Edelbrock Xtreme Street ran in one large class, VP/Edelbrock Xtreme Renegade. Thankfully, Joel Greathouse races under the NMRA umbrella, as he qualified in the top spot with a 4.49, and he had a little luck on his side in the final when Ray Cox redlighted because it appeared Greathouse may have hurt something mechanically, causing him to be off of his regular pace.
In Vengeance Clutch Coyote Stock, racers are looking for any ounce of performance improvement over the course of a race weekend. Any number in a positive direction is the goal. When qualifying was over, the top 8 competitors were in the 9.70s. Throughout a super competitive day of eliminations, it would come down to Ed Bennett and Nate Stymiest in the final, racing brother Shane Stymiest’s Coyote Stocker. Stymiest appeared to spin at the hit, and that’s all the room Bennett needed to take the win with a 9.69 to a 9.82.
Richmond Gear Factory Stock has been the Mike Bowen show for a minute in his 1971 Maverick. The Holley NMRA Race for the Rings was no different. Bowen qualified number 1, won a Nitto Tire Diamond Tree ring, and then ran a 10.flat against Mark Anderson. In the final, Damien Stephens did his best to get an advantage at the tree, but he pushed it a tad too much, redlighting, giving Bowen the win.
The Suncoast Performance 8.60 Street Race class has proven to be a popular addition to the Holley NMRA lineup as 23 racers suited up, with Chris Tino taking the top qualifying spot, which is based on reaction time. When the dust settled, it would be Cody Poston and Logan Day in the final, and neither qualified anywhere near the top of the class. However, when it counted, Poston and Day made it happen all the way to the final, where Poston went too quick, as did Day, but Day by the lesser amount, taking the win.
In Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts Street Bandit, Mike Winters has had a stranglehold on the class so far, but he exited earlier than normal. It would be James Meredith in his Capri against Braden Creamer in his spotless Four-Eye in the final, where both racers ran too quick, but Meredith by the lesser amount, taking the win. Score one for age and experience over youth.
For FSC Truck & SUV, Robert Chuhran qualified in the top spot, but came up a little short in the Race for the Rings against Greg Collins. Piloting his 1991 Ford Ranger, Collins carried that momentum through to the final, getting the overall event win with an 11.749 on an 11.73 dial over Tim Jacobsen on a breakout.
In ARP Open Comp, Dennis Corn and his 1988 Thunderbird won the Race for the Rings, earning the coveted Nitto Tire Diamond Tree Ring over Taylor Dietsch, but Dietsch would come back in the end to line up against his dad Jason in the final. It would be youth over age and experience with Taylor getting the better reaction time over Jason to take the win.
Exedy Racing Clutch Modular Muscle, the class saw two NMRA regulars return to action with Roxanne Shepard and Scott Lovell both competing at the Race for the Rings. However, Jason Sloan and Tim Matherly will be eating well at The Sizzler Sunday night because Charlie McCulloch got the win over Dean Snow in the final on a breakout.
In HP Tuners Super Stang, Rodney Ward has been on a charge as of late, and he looked to continue his winning ways by taking the top qualifying spot, which is based on reaction time. However, Mike Moistner and Daniel Roock would be the last ones standing in the final round where Moistner did his best to give it away with a slow reaction time, he made up for it down track, running an 11.87 on an 11.86 dial to take the win.
CJ Pony Parts Ford Muscle has a broad mix of Ford vehicles competing for the win every race, from a Falcon to a Ranchero to every year Mustang in between. It would come down to a pair of classic Mustangs in the 1972 Mach 1 of Clyde Dunphy and the 1970 Mach 1 of David Mormann. Reaction times were a wash, but Dunphy had the better overall pass with a 10.52 on a 10.50 dial, compared to Mormann’s 10.81 on a 10.75 dial.
Circle D Specialties NMCA/NMRA True Street drivers went for a 30-mile cruise around World Wide Technology Raceway before returning and ripping down track in their street cars. Tim Gehrs was the overall winner with an 8.20 average and is now the owner of a Nitto Diamond Tree Ring, and Willie Lujan was the runner-up with an 8.75 average. Standout performance were also put on by Bob Hoffman (9-second winner), Ricky Holcomb (10-second winner), David Schuler (11-second winner), Elaine Moistner (12-second winner), Trey Hamlin (13-second winner), Victoria Riehle (14-second winner) and Joe Parisi (15-second winner).
The Holley NMRA series now heads to Norwalk for the NMRA Ford Homecoming race June 6th-9th, where the party lasts like it’s 1999 all over again.