NHRA Summit Racing Series ET Finals at Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas - Sunday 9/28
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NHRA SUMMIT RACING SERIES - SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION TEXAS MOTORPLEX - ENNIS, TEXAS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2003 SUMMIT RACING CHAMPIONS EARN TICKET TO NHRA FINALS ENNIS, TEXAS - A day that began with more than 600 cars competing ended with four drivers winning their way to the NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals, to be held in Pomona, Calif. In final results of the Summit Racing Series held at Texas Motorplex, Mike Greene, Mike Mathews, Glenn Morphew, and Jerry Hefler won their respective categories and will represent the South Central Division in the Finals on Nov. 6-9, where they will compete against winners from six other divisions. Greene, of Burleson, Texas, earned the win in the Super Pro category, with a 7.568 second, 168.60 mph run in his Dragster. “It really hasn’t hit me yet, but it’s very cool,” said Greene of his win. LaGrange, Texas, resident Mike Mathews prevailed in the Motorcycle category, and will also advance to the Finals. Mathews said in the winner’s circle, “At first I couldn’t believe I won. It’s been a great weekend, and having the opportunity to go to Pomona is exciting. Just being there is going to be great!” In the No Electronic Quick category, Glenn Morphew, of Corsicana, Texas, took the win. The 62-year-old racer defeated Jimmy Bailey, of Moody, Texas, in the final round. Morphew, who has nine children, said he was especially looking forward to visiting his son who lives in California during his upcoming trip to the NHRA Finals. Racing veteran Jerry Hefler, of Kennedale, Texas, will return to the Finals this year after he earned the win in the No Electronic Street category for the second consecutive year. Hefler, who has been racing for 42 years, advanced to the Finals last year and captured the national title. Other winners today included Kinnith Black, who took top honors in the Pro category, and Texas Raceway, who won the Team Championship and Spirit awards during the competition. Black said of his win, “I’ve dreamed about winning this, and it’s been my goal for a long time.” Texas Raceway earned the most wins throughout the day to defeat the fifteen other tracks who participated in the weekend’s races. The NHRA Auto Club of Southern California Finals will be held in Pomona, Calif., on Nov. 6-9, 2003. Winning drivers from seven divisions will compete for a national title and a $5,000 cash prize. For more information, visit www.NHRA.com, or call (626) 914-4761. The following are final results from the NHRA South Central Division Summit Racing Series Finals at Texas Motorplex: SUPER PRO Mike Greene, Burleson, Texas, 7.568 seconds, 168.60 mph def. Tom Carroll, Crowley, Texas, 9.122, 139.81 PRO Kinnith Black, Saginaw, Texas, 10.504, 135.07 def. Daryl Patton, Highlands, Texas, 10.825, 146.34 NO ELECTRONIC QUICK Glenn Morphew, Corsicana, Texas, 11.278, 116.92 def. Jimmy Bailey, Moody, Texas, 11.077, 119.95 NO ELECTRONIC STREET Jerry Hefler, Kennedale, Texas, 12.995, 100.87 def. Clinton Wright, Houston, Texas, 12.486, 105.50 MOTORCYCLE Mike Mathews, LaGrange, Texas, 10.111, 127.17 def. Chris Lebouef, Lafayette, La., 8.991, 143.88 - 30 -