Highlights and results from NHRA’s National Open held in conjunction with the MHDRA….
NHRA’s popular Northwest National Open Series returned to and included once again Southern Alberta’s Medicine Hat Drag Strip (July 20-21st).
NHRA National Opens feature several classes of competition that include some Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series drivers competing within Stock/SS Combo, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street as well as Summit Racing ET Bracket competition in Super Pro, Pro ET, Sportsman, Bike/Sled. The Super Quick Series as well as the Infinity Coach Junior Championship Series are also included — and all winners at National Opens lay claim to NHRA Wally Trophies in addition to individual class payouts.
Racing at “the Hat” this summer featured some significant scores — highlighted by some very popular victories for local drivers within each of the 12 eliminator categories presented during both days of competition.
On Saturday — NHRA class car racing featured wins by hometown racer Darrell Dietz in his ’69 Mustang in the Stock/SS class. Dietz topped Darcy Clarke’s Mopar in that final round pairing. The NHRA index titles went to Kurt Schultz (Super Comp), Rory Moser (Super Gas) and James Elliott (Super Street).
Darrell Dietz in his ’69 Mustang appeared in both Stock/SS Combo final rounds at Medicine Hat’s NHRA National Open.
Todd Fleck (from Medicine Hat) roared to victory in the 1/8th mile Super Quick class. ET Bracket racing titles were claimed by Danny Holmedal (Super Pro), Braydan Heroux (Pro), Janice Vessley (Sportsman) and Adam Hettler (Bike/Sled).
Todd Fleck (from Medicine Hat) won twice with his dragster over the weekend.
The Juniors ran three classes with wins going to Teagan Thorpe (Jr Street), Kiandra Gaetz (Jr Thunder) and Tanner Gaetz (Jr Lightning).
Sunday’s race action included a win in Stock/SS by Saskatoon’s Sheldon Erfle who beat Dietz’s Mustang in the championship round. That was in fact the 3rd win for Erfle within Western Canada this season — he also had scores with his Olds Cutlass at the NHRA events held at Mission and Edmonton — previously.
Saskatoon’s Sheldon Erfle (far lane) continued his hot hand in Stock/SS Combo racing his season.
Index racing wins went to Gerad Wagnaar (Super Comp), William Solomon (Super Gas) and Fred Senkow (Super Street).
Manitoba’s Senkow family dominated (Super Street) when Fred (near lane) beat Garth in the final round on Sunday.
Danny Holmedal, who had won the previous day in Super Pro with his dragster, this time won in the Super Quick eliminator when he beat local drag racing devote Mark Simmons (owner of Spider Electric and TNT Supercars) in that final round.
Danny Holmedal (Maple Creek SK) claimed two “Wallys” during the event.
ET Racing titles went to Todd Fleck (Super Pro), Tyler Zeller (Pro), Emily Hastings (Sportsman) and Greg Westling (Bike Sled).
Sunday’s Super Comp winner – Gerad Wagnaar
Sunday’s Junior racing glory went to Isaac Stettner (from Regina) who won in both Jr. Street and Jr. Lightning classes. Kiandra Gaetz completed an undefeated weekend by winning again in Junior Thunder.
For more information on drag racing at Medicine Hat Drag Strip – click: HERE
Posted with files by Bruce Biegler and Matt Levonas
All Photos by Matt Levonas
