NHRA Summit Racing Series - Sunday from Heartland Park Topeka
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NHRA SUMMIT DRAG RACING SERIES - WEST CENTRAL DIVISION HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2002 WEST CENTRAL DIVISION TEAM SET FOR POMONA Topeka, Kan. - After two days of scattered showers, the skies finally cleared Sunday for the final day of racing at the NHRA Summit Racing Series West Central Division Finals in Heartland Park Topeka. Event winners were Eric Anderson of Eau Claire, Wis., in Super Pro; Doug Heinrichs of Dyersville, Iowa, in Pro E.T.; Brent Kopejtka of Pierce, Neb., in Sportsman; Leslie Benbo of Winger, Minn., in Pro Bike/Snowmobile; and Lacey Rowe of Genda Springs, Kan., in High School. "Its unbelievable, it's the biggest win I've ever had in my life," said Anderson. "I feel like John Force after having just won a national event." Representing Grove Creek Raceway in Grove City, Minn., Anderson almost succeeded in winning two races on the same day, but was the runner-up earlier today in the Race of Champions. This is the first time that the Eau Claire, Wis., resident has ever won the coveted Wally trophy. In Pro E.T. and High School, the race was won at the starting line as both runner-ups left before the green light, giving the instant win to both Heinrichs and Lowe. The starting line was also the key component in the Sportsman final. Although Peter Palmeri of St. Marys, Kan., did not leave before the green light, he did leave .158-second later off his green than Kopejtka, playing a major factor in his loss. Pro Bike/Snowmobile history was made again this weekend, as Benbo in his '00 Yamaha became the second ever snowmobile to qualify for the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship. The first ever qualified last week, at the Northwest Division Finals in Yakima, Wash. "It's the best experience I've ever had drag racing," said Benbo as he celebrated winner's circle. "I can't wait to head to Pomona." Winners in Super Pro, Pro E.T., Sportsman, and Pro Bike/Snowmobile will now head to Pomona Raceway in November to compete for the NHRA Summit Racing Series National Championship. For more information, call NHRA at (626) 818-1896. The following are final round results from the NHRA Summit Racing Series West Central Division Finals in Heartland Park Topeka: SUPER PRO Eric Anderson, Eau Claire, Wis., '96 Racecraft, 8.140 seconds, 152.52 mph def. Chuck Roycraft, Eden Prairie, Minn., '69 Camaro, 10.225, 129.59 PRO Doug Heinrichs, Dyersville, Iowa, '80 Volare, 10.932, 123.20 def. Mike Sonnek, Hutchinson, Minn., '85 Mustang, 10.002, 134.77 SPORTSMAN Brent Kopejtka, Pierce, Neb., '96 Intrepid, 16.411, 83.12 def. Peter Palmeri, St. Marys, Kan., '66 Oldsmobile, 13.200, 104.35 PRO BIKE/SNOWMOBILE Leslie Benbo, Winger, Minn., '00 Yamaha, 10.798, 115.10 def. Scott Parker, Silvis, Ill., '81 Kawasaki, 8.981, 141.46 HIGH SCHOOL Lacey Rowe, Genda Springs, Kan., '76 Nova, 14.427, 93.42 def. Tyler Bonham, Larned, Kan., '82 Cutlass, 11.015, 126.73
