NORTHEAST DRAGWAY OPENS FOR 2016 DRAG RACING SEASON

Carla Winslow

Mother nature has already put a bad taste in the months of drag racers at Northeast Dragway. The first points race of the season had already been rescheduled twice to rainy weekends, but with seven points races to get in before September, Curtis Trueblood , track owner and operator decided to open the gates on Sunday in order to get the season started.

Racers were more than happy to hear that a Sunday make up race had been scheduled, “We wait through three long, cold months and suffer from almost withdrawals during the off season” laughed Jerry Gray the Modified Class Winner for Sunday’s race. “You tune your car and work on projects for the car just waiting for the day that you can get back on the race track.” Still the day didn't come without some headaches for driver Mark Moreland of Edenton. Moreland who battled starter problems all day, counted his blessing each time he restarted his dragster as he advanced his way into the finals. But his luck ran out just as he was preparing to go the final round of the night. Moreland had to forfeit the round to Eric Whitehurst of Edenton. By rules set by IHRA, Whitehurst would still have to break the beam in order to take the win in the TOP ET Class. Hunter Mason of Camden and last year’s Street Class Champion started his year with the win against Megan Poyner of Currituck NC. Caden Trueblood of Hertford, NC took on Ricky Williams of Gates, NC in the finals of the 5.90 Index Class. Trueblood, last year’s 5.90 Track Champion set his goal this season to make this a repeat champion year. In the Jr Dragster Class Justin Blythe of South Hampton, VA beat David Light of Wanchese, NC in the finals.

Point’s races as well as other special events have been planned for the 2016 season. Test and Tunes are held on Friday nights from 7-11 PM. For more information log onto www.northeastdragway.net.