NHRA Summit Racing Series ET Finals at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas - Saturday 9/27
NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES - SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION FINALS TEXAS MOTORPLEX, ENNIS, TEXAS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2003 THREE CROWNED IN SUMMIT SERIES RACE OF CHAMPIONS ENNIS, TEXAS - Racing action heated up at Texas Motorplex today, and winners of the prestigious Race of Champions were decided. Cleve Suddath, Jacky King and Justin Smith took top honors in their respective categories. The highly anticipated NHRA Summit Series Finals Race of Champions pitted the top drivers against each other for a face-off among the very best from 16 racetracks in the South Central Division. Suddath, of Moore, Okla., won the title in the No Electronics category with a 10.743-second, 119.25-mph run. He defeated Jeff Brown, of Uvalde, Texas in the final round. “I’ve been in the position to win this race in the past and couldn’t make it happen. This means a lot to me,” said Suddath. King, of Noble, Okla., grabbed the win in the Electronics category, running the quarter-mile in 8.155 seconds at 156.06 mph. He defeated Gene Nicdemus, of Pilot Point, Texas, who ran 10.21 seconds at 135.29 mph. King said of the win, “I was really lucky today. The car ran great and I was just along for the ride.” The winner in the High School category was Justin Smith, of Baton Rouge, La. “The competition was tough, and the race was challenging. It feels great, it’s the biggest thing I’ve ever won,” said Smith in the winner’s circle. Smith also thanked his parents, track manager Pat Joffrion, and Larry Croft. Also held today was the Manager’s Championship race, which featured each of the race teams’ track managers in a friendly competition. First-time participant, Sammy Lattner, representing Denton Dragway in Texas, was the last manager standing in the race. “I had a great time. It’s my first year and I had a blast,” said Lattner. Racing action continues tomorrow when drivers will compete for the opportunity to represent the South Central division in the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., in November. One winner from each of four categories will earn $3,500 for advancing to the Finals, and will compete against winners from NHRA’s six other divisions for a national title and an additional $5,000 cash award. Returning champions from last year include Roger Warren, of Jacksonville, Texas, Daniel Martinez of San Antonio, Donnie Crouch, from Arlington, Jerry Hefler of Mansfield, and William Keele, of San Antonio. They will look to return to the Finals with a win tomorrow. The NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals continue tomorrow at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Texas Motorplex is located on Hwy. 287, two miles west of Ennis between Interstates 35 ad 45. Admission for spectators is $15 and children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, contact the track at (972) 878-2641, or NHRA at (626) 688-9714. The following are final results from the NHRA South Central Division Summit Racing Finals “Race of Champions”: NO ELECTRONICS Cleve Suddath, Moore, Okla., 10.743 seconds, 119.25 mph def. Jeff Brown, Uvalde, Texas, 14.082, 85.66 ELECTRONICS Jacky King, Noble, Okla., 8.155, 156.06 def. Gene Nicdemus, Pilot Point, Texas, 10.249, 135.29 HIGH SCHOOL Justin Smith, Baton Rouge, La., 15.075, 88.40 def. Jacob Johnson, Grandview, 17.635, 74.38