Former Champion Wins 6th Annual Richie Bowden Race

Carla Winslow

On Saturday Northeast Dragway remembered one of their own during the 6th Annual Richie Bowden Memorial Race. The late Richie Bowden served as the dragway’s first announcer when the track opened in 2000. Bowden a drag racer himself back in the 60’s and 70’s had a passion for the sport of drag racing. A full time employee who managed the Performance Unlimited High Performance store in Hertford, NC jumped at the opportunity to take the microphone as the tracks first official announcer. In October 2010 Bowden passed away suddenly leaving behind an emptiness in the tower. On Saturday the racers and employees of the track remembered Bowden as a very respectable gentleman that faithfully gave his time to the track. His voice and presence in the tower are still missed by many today.

Winners of Bowden’s event included 11 year Richmond, VA native Mallory Logan. The former 2015 Jr Dragster Eastern Conference Finals Champion used her experience over 10 year old Edenton, NC native Chase Marrs. Marrs a Rookie found himself in several semi-finals over the season, but always fail short to making it in the finals. Marrs finished 4th in the points series at the track for the 2016 season. Excited to finish runner-up to a champion driver, Marrs said he wanted to one day to be a champion just like his dad, Eric Whitehurst. Michael Harrell’s 1970 Nova was too much for Nags Head native Tim Taylor’s Corvette. Harrell a Eure, NC native was more than proud to share the winner circle with TOP ET winner Rodney Edwards. A former 2005 TOP ET Champion at Northeast and 2006 Runner-up. Edward’s 67 Chevy II took the advantage over Liz Pittman of Elm City, NC. Pittman left off the top bulb a little too soon, which turned on the red light giving the win to Edwards.

Northeast Dragway will run two races over the Thanksgiving holiday. For more information on these events log onto www.northeastdragway.net