Track Champs crowned at Strip

Carla Winslow

After having several races canceled due to rain, the points season at Northeast Dragway has finally came to an end. Owners and operators Curtis and Tony Trueblood had to make a decision to cut the points championship short due to the number of rain outs and not enough time before bracket finals to finish the full series. With team finals in six weeks and a deadline to submit the team roster by Sept. 9, there was no other way to complete the series. Before the racers strapped in for a night of intense strategies and determination, a drivers meeting was called. With warm apologies, Tony Trueblood had to make the announcement. “We have already committed the track out to other events over the next three weeks and there's just no way to make up all the rained out races,” Tony Trueblood said. With that the racers took to the track again with their last chance to make an attempt to score big points and claim the title of the track champion. Like previous years only a few rounds separated the leader from other drivers. A sixth place driver could easily take the lead if the cards fell in their favor. If the leaders went out early, and you could continue going rounds, you still had that chance. Danny Custer of Franklin, Virginia, clinched his first modified track title early as close rivals fell out. The cards definitely fell in Custer’s favor this night. During the race his motor gave way and he was unable to make the call to finish the night’s event, but with enough rounds behind him, Custer was still able to claim the crown. Camden native Hunter Mason had an exciting night as he claimed his second track championship, making it back-to-back for the young gun. Randy Trahan of Chesapeake, Virginia, worked extra hard to claim his title in the TOP ET Class. “I have been close numerous times but fate just didn’t deal me the luck I needed,” said Trahan before this year’s breakthrough. Former 2015 VMP Junior Dragster Champion Sierra Eure of Suffolk, Virginia, claimed another track title at Northeast. “I was so excited I was literally crying as I crossed the finish line and I realized I had clinched the title,” Eure said. “It’s an emotional night for me as I’m aging out of the junior dragster division. I have so many memories, I've made so many friends and I'm going to miss them. My parents are my biggest fans and they encourage and support me 100 percent. “My dad pretty much gave up racing so he could put everything into the Jr, I can never thank him and mom enough.” The track champions will represent the track in Memphis in October at the World Finals, and they will also be competing with their fellow team members at Bracket Finals while they represent Team Northeast Dragway. Winners for the night’s events also included TOP ET’s Shane Griekspoor of Belhaven with his first win this season in his new 1997 S10 ET beating Michael Crumpler of Elm City. Sharon Smith of Camden celebrated not only her birthday in the winner’s circle but celebrated her modified class win and also finished as the runner-up in the points for street class. Three-time junior dragster champion David Light of Wanchese had an exciting night beating rookie driver Ryan Leche’ of Moyock. Light, who was close to another junior dragster champion, fell just short but couldn’t be any happier with this year’s outcome. “It’s my final year in the Jr Class,” Light said. “I’m happy. I finished out my last Jr points series with a win.” Ben Jernigan of Suffolk took his 1973 Plymouth Duster to the finals to beat Smith for his first Street Class win. Jernigan, a second-generation driver, was all smiles in the winner’s circle. “I’m not sure who is the most excited: me or my dad,” Jernigan said. “Now dad and I both have experienced the feeling of winning a race and earning a trophy and it feels great.” The track will continue to have Friday night test and tunes. Although the point’s series has been completed there is still more racing scheduled for the track. Information on these events can be found by logging on to www.northeastdragway.net.