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April 8, 2003 Results from Sunday Race # 1 April 6th (all photos copyright speedzonemagazine.com 2003)
Winner of the first race of the year Sean Ferguson (left)
in his first round match-up. There were a few new Jr.s out on the
track and a bunch of new cars, paint or engine combos for veteran
drivers at the opening event of the season. Due to inclemate weather
conditions, only around ten jrs. showed up for the opening event.
All I can say is, it was the the absentees loss, as a great day was
had by all. Except for Lorena Barton, as she and everyone on hand
got to witness history, as
April, 1 2003
Another new car out there is the Rock 101 Canso oops, I mean the Jr. Dragster being run by Glen Braid's daughter Hailey (below). It is a car the Don Barton built and will be similar in color to the new Pro Street car that here dad drives. Looks like she will be a good racer, as she ran in the 13's at over 40 mph in her first outing. Way to go Hailey!
Also out testing was Alicia Faubert (below) in her Teamsters backed Jr. She finished in 11th place in the points last year and is looking for a top 10 or better placing in 2003.
Also out testing were the Barton Boyz. Darren has all new big power (over 50 hp apparently)! it has so much power and torque that he could not keep the car straight. So Don and Steve Horne are making some chassis adjustments, to compensate for the extra horsepower. The car could run in the seven's. Cameron had problems and could not make a run. See you out there next weekend.
The NHRA Junior Drag Racing League Championship Finals have been announced and include ESPN2 coverage for both the East and West finals. 2003 Eastern Conference Finals More than 500 racers from throughout the eastern U.S.
and eastern Canada will converge on Maple Grove Raceway in Reading
June 26-28 to compete for close to $100,000 in savings bonds during
the 2003 NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Eastern Conference Finals. Racers
from Divisions 1, 2, 3, and 4 are eligible to compete in the event
(racers from Division 4 may choose to attend either the Eastern or
Western Conference Finals). During the Finals, racers will be competing for close
to $100,000 in savings bonds, awarded to both the individual champions
in eight age groups (8-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16-17) and to
the top three points-earning teams. As is the case each year, competition will be fierce. The top 30 drivers from each member track have been invited to participate, including last year's Eastern Conference Finals champions: Alexa Rick (8-9), Allen Rouse Jr. (10), Dylan Myers (11), Andrew Head (12), Joey Shipp (13), Nick Hastings (14), Mark Roe (15), and Martin Flegal (16-17). 2003 Western Conference Finals During the first weekend in August, Jr. drag racers
from Divisions 5, 6, and 7, as well as those from Division 4 who did
not attend the Eastern Conference Finals, will be at Bandimere Speedway
in Denver for the NHRA Jr. Drag Racing League Western Conference Finals.
On the line are close to $100,000 in savings bonds –
awarded to both the individual champions in the eight age groups (8-9,
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16-17) and the top three points-earning
teams - Wallys, and the title of best of the best. Competition will once again be fierce: the top 30 drivers
from each NHRA member track are invited to participate. Among them
are last year's Western Conference Finals champions: Jacy Glover (8-9),
Benjamin Hilton (10), David Thompson (11), Kris Whitfield (12), Taylor
McMillen (13), Bobby Polson (14), Jordan Fojt (15), and Cameron Ferre
(16-17). A complete schedule and listing of activities will be
posted at a later date. Eastern Conference Finals: DIVISION 1 DIVISION 2 DIVISION 3 DIVISION 4 DIVISION 5 DIVISION 6 DIVISION 7 Jr. Championship Series Jr. Championship Series Jr. Championship Series Jr. Championship Series
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MRP,
when son Darren (right) with huge power in his swan song season
in the Jrs., overpowered the track and spun the Jr.digger on its side
after getting loose and getting back on the throttle one more time
to try and correct the wayward rail. After dumping it, Darren calmly
got out of the dragster flipped it back up and surveyed the damage.
There was none. Just a little scrape on one corner of the roll cage,
and nothing on the tall blue body. Darren spent the next 
while
calming down his mom! According to Don, a new chassis that can handle
the 7 second motor is on order already. Cameron Barton (right)
has 8 second power this year. The other new rides out at Mission included
Brandon Rachel (lower right) in a new Barton Jr., who got a
first round win in his debut, Hailey (lower right) who was
out last week, and got more laps under her belt. Hope Allen has new
all blue paint on her ride. The Mellof's were out in full force, with
Josh getting runner-up finish to Sean Ferguson. Niki Cunningham (lower
left) has new red flames on here white dragster. The Spitali's
(Joey?) were out, as was Bianca Andreone-Kokotailo (lower right).
Look
out all you Jrs. We have another two car team, as both Josh and Julianne
Mellof have cars to compete with this year. No more fighting! Just
kidding. Julianne has the new white, blue / green and purple stripes
(she was in that dragster last weekend anyway), and Josh was in the
old car that is still one of the nicest out there. Both cars ran in
the 8.30 - 8.50 range at over 70 mph. Wow! Julianne near lane and
Josh in the far lane. Looks like Josh had the better light (his roll
cage is right over the starting line)! Julianne finished 2nd in points
in 2002. 
