Sumerduck Dragway Crowns 2011 Track Champs
September 21, 2011 -
Sumerduck Dragway, Sumerduck, VA
Story Written by: Megan Witherow Bunch
Going into the final points weekend at Sumerduck Dragway it was a tight race to the championship. Troy Williams and Gary Phares came into the weekend tied for the number one spot with reigning champion Ben Calhoun trailing in second by only ten points. With both Gary and Ben losing first round and Troy winning, it opened the path for him to hopefully secure a championship.
On Sunday when the points chase ended
Troy finished in the number one spot with
Gary only 50 points behind and Ben 60
points. Troy won this championship without
winning a race at Sumerduck and having two
runner-ups.
Wrapping up the 2011 points championship would give Troy his second championship at Sumerduck Dragway and his 5th championship of his career. Troy won the Top Et Championship at Sumerduck Dragway in 2007 And in 1999, 2000, and 2009 he won the Top Et Championship at Old Dominion Speedway. Amongst his championship accomplishments Troy was also crowned the Top ET Champion at the SBRA Finals, Troy is the only person in SBRA history to have two wins! Troy stated that he would like to thank the following, "Thanks first foremost and above all my wife of 17 years Tricia, my son Tyler who has assumed the role of crew chief, my daughter Taylor who gives me stringent goals and deadlines to achieve in racing. My dad for driving the race rig when traveling out of town, keeping it, and me, straight. Jim Brown at Jim's Tool Service, John Farr at John Farr lighting and design (and his race car), Bernard and Wes Weaver at Weaver's Racing Transmissions, Greg at FTI Converters, Jeff, Brett, and John at Nesbitt Performance Engines, Roy at Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic, Ted Lushch at Jerry Brother's Industries, James Monroe at Killerrons.com, Ray and Ray-Ray Miller at Miller Racecars. I would also like to give a special thanks to Steve Witherow for everything from his knowledge to his race cars and friendship."
The modified et class also was a tight race going into the weekend between reigning track champion Kris Bunch and Scott Vaughn. Scott went into Saturday 45 points ahead of Kris. Saturday Scott went on to beat Kris fifth round, giving Kris 45 points for the night, Scott went on to win the race sending him ahead of Kris by 70 points. On Sunday Scott lost first round while Kris won the race leaving Kris trailing by 5 points and allowing Scott to secure his 2011 Modified ET Championship. Scott ended the season with 720 points, Kris finished second with 715 points. Scott had three wins and two runner-ups for the 2011 season at Sumerduck.
Scott started racing eight years ago in 2003. He won his championship driving his 1964 Chevelle that was built by John Moton. Scott's dad, Buddy Vaughn, used to race the Chevelle years back, which is why winning this championship is a special one for Scott, winning his first championship in a race car his dad used to drive. Buddy raced back in the 70s mostly at Hagerstown and Mason Dixon. Scott would like to thank his dad for always being there and working on his motor and keeping him going each race. He would like to thank his sponsor Larry and Josh Triplett Heating and AC out of Winchester, as well as his friends Darrell Holmes, and Brian German for their continued support throughout the season. This was an exceptional year for Scott, as not only did he win his first championship he also won the Iron Man Race.
Junior Dragster was pretty much a done deal as Tyler Macedo took the win the first four races of the season, he lead the points chase all year and once he started he never looked back. Tyler ended the season with five wins and three runner-ups. This was Tyler's first championship. Tyler missed multiple races and won the championship with 430 points ahead of second place driver Ronnie Webb with 295. Tyler stated the following, "I would like to thank my Grandma and Grandpa for all their hard work and money they put into this every single weekend to get me going down the track every single time. I would also like to thank Whaley for an amazing motor and Megan Bunch for getting on me every single weekend to go out there and do my best. I also want to thank Mike and Joy Anderson for a great track and junior program every weekend, and all the staff at Sumerduck Dragway for all the hard work they do every weekend. I hope this is one of many more to come."
Mike Schulz out of Manassas Park won the motorcycle class with 490 points, second place driver was Wade Lusk with 400 points. Mike won three races at Sumerduck with four runner-ups to secure him his 2011 championship. Sumerduck was the first track Mike ever raced at beginning in 2003 when he drove a 1998 Buell S1 Lightning running in the mid 7's. He raced his way to his first championship on a Suzuki Hayabusa. Mike stated that he never dreamed of winning a race let alone a track championship at an IHRA track. Mike would like to add the following "I would like to thank my wife, Dorothy, for letting me do the things I do and the family she gave us, she has been putting up with me for over 20 years now. Southern Insulation, Inc. out of Hyattsville, MD. for all they do and the time away from work to go drag racing. Drag racing a motorcycle is truly the most fun you can have with your clothes on." Mike was also the 2006 SBRA Motorcycle champ.
