Teens clinch first wins, dedicate to dads

By Wendy Curling

There are few greater gifts that a hard-working father/crew chief can receive for Father’s Day than a shiny first place trophy from their drag racing child. The racers who found their way to Northeast Dragway’s winner’s circle on Saturday night all dedicated their wins to their fathers with honor and pride.

Seventeen year-old Joel Moreland of Edenton delighted his dad by securing his first win in his Top Eliminator dragster since moving up from the Junior Dragster class in 2009.

Moreland’s father, Mark, a veteran racer and recent Iron Man winner jumped for joy when his son’s win light flashed on in the final round. Showing more emotion than for his own victories, it was plain to see what his son’s accomplishment meant. “Oh Man, this is just great, just great”, he repeated over and over through an unrelenting smile.

Moreland took the win light in a dragster previously driven by his dad, who handed the car down. “I just put his name on the side today before the race and I think that was good luck”, beamed Mark.

Moreland faced Randy Trahan in the final where Trahan had the advantage off the line but broke out on top end giving Moreland the win.

Fourteen year-old Hannah Winslow, also of Edenton, celebrated her first Junior Dragster win in her second season of racing. “It took eighteen races but I finally did it”, she exclaimed.

Winslow went head to head with Megan Poyner of Barco in the final where both drivers left the line with near identical reaction times but Winslow ran closer to her 8.78 dial to take the win by a margin of .014.

Winslow’s father and crew chief congratulated his daughter by saying, “This is a great Father’s Day present”.

Anthony Griekspoor of Belhaven missed last Saturday’s race to attend his own wedding but returned as focused as ever. Griekspoor piloted his Chevy II to his third victory of the year under the watchful eye of his dad who is not only his crew chief but engine builder as well. “This is for my dad”, said Griekspoor who passed his first place trophy to his dad along with a hug.

Griekspoor defeated Bob Miller of Carrollton (Va) in the final round. Miller ran dead on his 7.17 dial but Griekspoor had a huge advantage off the line that he cashed in for the win on top end.

Edenton firefighter Chan Collins had not made a race since last season due to problems with his Monte Carlo but was given the green light by his wife to race her Hemi-powered Dodge Charger in the Street Class to fulfill his need for speed. Collins prevailed by besting Don Price in the final to capture his first ever win.

Bubba Driscoll of Newport News dominated the Pro Bike Class and claimed the first place trophy that he dedicated to his father who is battling lung cancer. “I leaving now to go see him”, Driscoll said from the winner’s circle. “He’s going to like this trophy”.

Driscoll was matched with Steve Murray in the final where both riders ran dead on their dial but Driscoll’s .032 reaction time on the starting line made all the difference.

The Performance Fabricators 10.5 Class rounded out the action with Cale Lawson of Blackstone, Virginia taking top honors. As the only forced-induction, no nitrous, turbo car in the field, Lawson’s 1991 Ford Mustang started out by being the number one qualifier with his best pass of the day recorded at 5.03 at 148 mph.

Lawson’s team quickly got a handle on track conditions and made a crucial tire change that enabled them to negotiate their first win in the class.

Lawson met Billy Bell in the final who had trouble getting down the track, only posting a 6.72 to Lawson’s blistering 5.07 pass.

Points race number seven of fifteen will be held next Saturday with gates opening at 1, time runs beginning at 3, followed by eliminations at 5 p.m. Friday night Test and Tune will be held from 7 to 10 p.m.

Log onto www.northeastdragway.net for more details on upcoming events.