NHRA NEWS: XPLOD SERIES FINAL RESULTS FROM POMONA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: Brian Hacker (626) 428-0280

 

XPLOD SERIES DRIVERS WIN FINAL WALLYS OF 2006 AT NITTO NHRA SPORT
COMPACT WORLD FINALS

 

POMONA, Calif. - Excitement was in the air as the drivers of the NHRA
Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series competed in elimination rounds Sunday
at the Nitto NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at Auto Club Raceway at
Pomona.

 

Taking home the cherished NHRA Wally were Gary White (Pro RWD), Ed
Bergenholtz (Pro FWD), Paul Efantis (Modified), Stephanie Eggum (Hot
Rod), and Saul Salceda (Honda Tuning All Motor).

 

White (New Market, Ala.), in his Toyota Celica was facing his Titan
Motorsport teammate Brad Personett in the final round.  He got the
better of his teammate when Personett had a red light start, but White
kept going hard to finish with a time of 6.85 seconds at 202.12 mph.  In
an unusual twist to the race neither White nor Personett knew who won
until they got to the timing booth.  This was his second win in 2006.

 

"I didn't know I won until I got the (timing) ticket," White said.  No
one came on the headset to say anything.  The car was hurt during the
burnout.  I told Bret (White's son and crew member) the car was hurt.
He said screw it and to get up there to the line.  It's cool because I
had a lot of family and friends here. I am looking forward to next
year."

 

Bergenholtz (Tustin, Calif.) was able to cap off a successful season
with the event win and his second consecutive NHRA World Championship.
He captured his fourth win of 2006 and ninth career win.  Bergenholtz,
in his Audiobahn/Mazdaspeed 6 defeated Chris Rado in a very close race.
Bergenholtz crossed the finish line with a time of 7.60 seconds at
190.00 mph to Rado's fast charging 7.73 seconds at 185.66 mph.

 

"I am so tired right now," Bergenholtz said.  "I had to drive my tail
off.  This was the most intense and hardest year.  I won the first two
races of the year and the last two races of the year.  I have a Wally
sandwich."

 

Efantis (Frederick, Md.) joined Bergenholtz in winning both the event
Wally and the NHRA World Championship.  He had to earn both awards,
though, as the Modified category had four drivers come into the event
within 25 points of the championship.  In what was the most exciting
race for Modified all year the championship came down to the final race
on the final day of the 2006 season.  Efantis was battling Jorge Lazcano
in the other lane.  Whoever won the race won the championship.  Efantis
driving his Little Dooey Barbeque and Blues Toyota Solara edged out
Efantis with a time of 7.39 seconds at 185.59 mph to Lazcano's 7.44
seconds at 183.89 mph.  This was his fourth win in 2006 and ties him
with Matt Scranton for most wins on the series with 15.

 

"It was an emotional win," Lazcano said.  "The competition this year
made me the driver that I am.  We were consistent all year.  This win
makes me tied as the winningest (NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series)
driver.  I want to thank NHRA for a great year of racing."

 

Justin Humphreys was able to set a new Modified national speed record at
187.73 mph.

 

Eggum (Elgin, Ill.) fought hard all year to get her Honda Civic to the
winners circle all year.  She accomplished that goal at Pomona by
defeating Hot Rod rival Ron Lummus.  Qualifying eighth for the event she
had a hard ladder to climb to get the final round against Lummus.  She
made it and easily defeated him.  She powered her unsponsored car to the
win with a time of 7.97 seconds at 180.77 mph to Lummus' 8.29 seconds at
155.72 mph.  This was her third win in 2006, and also her third career
win.

 

"I slaughtered him," Eggum said.  "I was on a mission.  It was the best
race of my career.  I had the best light I could have with this car.
Next year should be interesting, although we don't have a next year
without a sponsor."

 

Salceda (Gardena, Calif.) was able to capture his third win of 2006.  He
made it to the final round as the No. 1 qualifier, and had to face the
No. 2 qualifier Leslie Armendariz.  Although Salceda raced Armendariz to
a time of 9.57 seconds at 141.28 mph, it was unnecessary since she had
red lighted at the start.

 

"This is great," Salceda said.  "I just want to thank my sponsors who
helped me through the year.  There's Clutchmasters, IPS, Omni Power, and
Eneos.  I also want to thank Norris (Prayoonto - team owner) and may
whole crew.  It was awesome."

 

 

***

 

 

POMONA, Calif. -- Sunday's final results from the sixth annual Nitto
Tire NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at Pomona Raceway.  The race is the
final of 11 in the $2.5 million NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Drag Racing
Series: 

 

PRO RWD

Gary Lee White, New Market, Ala., '05 Celica, 6.850, 202.12  def. Brad
Personett, Elkhart, Ind., '06 Scion, foul.

 

PRO FWD

Ed Bergenholtz, Santa Ana, Calif., '06 Mazda, 7.607, 190.00  def.
Christian Rado, Temple, Pa., '06 tC, 7.736, 185.66.

 

MODIFIED

Paul Efantis, Ijamsville, Md., '03 Solara, 7.392, 185.59  def. Jorge
Lazcano, San Juan, P.R., '85 RX7, 7.447, 183.89. 

 

HOT ROD

Stephanie Eggum, Elgin, Ill., '00 Civic, 7.973, 180.77  def. Ron Lummus,
Anaheim, Calif., '04 Pontiac, 8.298, 155.72.

 

ALL MOTOR

Saul Salceda, Gardena, Calif., '00 Integra, 9.573, 141.18  def. Leslie
Durst-Armendariz, Long Beach, Calif., '06 tC, foul. 

 

SPORT RWD

Julie Stepan, Estell Manor, N.J., '06 WRX, 9.158, 145.58  def. Dan
Schechter, Miramar, Fla., '93 RX7, 11.688, 135.67.

 

 

STREET STOCK

Jerry Nguyen, Sunnyvale, Calif., '92 Civic, 22.573, 50.64  def. Loan
Nguyen, Burke, Va., '99 Civic, broke. 

 

 

QUICK 16

Hector Urias, EL Monte, Calif., '57 VW, 14.638, 62.51  def. Pete
Selders, Monrovia, Calif., '67 VW, foul. 

 

 

POMONA, Calif. -- Final round-by-round results from the sixth annual
Nitto Tire NHRA Sport Compact World Finals at Pomona Raceway, the final
of 11 events in the $2.5 million NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Drag Racing
Series:

 

PRO RWD: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Gary Lee White, Toyota Celica, 6.554, 214.93 def. Matt
Scranton, Solara, 6.629, 214.79; Brad Personett, Scion, 6.492, 218.72
def. Abel Ibarra, Mazda RX-8, broke; 

QUARTERFINALS -- White, 6.850, 202.12 def. Personett, foul. 

 

PRO FWD: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Marty Ladwig, Chevy Cobalt, 7.724, 182.97 def. Ron
Townsend, Cavalier, 7.801, 192.11; Ed Bergenholtz, Mazda, 7.790, 185.66
def. Jerrold Rhodes, Honda Accord, 11.991, 139.07; Christian Rado, Scion
tC, 27.697, 29.33 was unopposed; 

SEMIFINALS -- Bergenholtz, 7.561, 190.81 def. Ladwig, 7.642, 185.23;
Rado, 40.871, 120.77 was unopposed; 

FINALS -- Bergenholtz, 7.607, 190.00 def. Rado, 7.736, 185.66. 

 

MODIFIED: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Ken Scheepers, Mazda RX8, 7.768, 169.66 def. Justin
Humphreys, Lexus GS300, 16.900, 45.40; Jorge Lazcano, Mazda RX7, 7.392,
183.97 def. Rene Franco, RX3, 10.975, 83.46; Paul Efantis, Toyota
Solara, 8.025, 178.52 def. Tom Shambaugh, Chevy Cavalier, 8.739, 158.48;
Dee Karagiannis, RX7, 9.014, 108.68 def. Steve Topletz, Celica, broke; 

SEMIFINALS -- Efantis, 7.766, 173.07 def. Karagiannis, broke; Lazcano,
7.438, 183.87 def. Scheepers, foul; 

FINALS -- Efantis, 7.392, 185.59 def. Lazcano, 7.447, 183.89. 

 

HOT ROD: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Kenny Tran, Scion tC, 8.964, 165.56 def. Mike Crawford,
Dodge SRT-4, broke; Stephanie Eggum, Honda Civic, 8.009, 176.30 def.
Chuck Seitsinger, Civic, foul; Eric Del Rosario, Acura Integra, 9.325,
161.36 def. Ricky Dela Cruz, Honda CRX, 9.686, 153.28; Jason Ames,
Civic, broke def. Bryan Bridges, Civic, broke; broke def. Ron Lummus,
Pontiac, broke; Ron Lummus, Pontiac, 8.269, 169.74 was unopposed; 

 

QUARTERFINALS -- Eggum, 9.840, 136.37 def. Del Rosario, broke; Lummus,
8.274, 170.64 def. Ames, broke; Tran, 13.631, 66.02 was unopposed; 

 

SEMIFINALS -- Lummus, 8.364, 172.81 def. Tran, 9.262, 116.55; Eggum,
15.659, 92.04 was unopposed; 

FINAL -- Eggum, 7.973, 180.77 def. Lummus, 8.298, 155.72. 

 

ALL MOTOR: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Jeremy Lookofsky, Honda Civic, 11.737, 95.54 def. Jack
Sacchette, Civic, broke; Leslie Durst-Armendariz, Scion tC, 11.926,
112.42 def. Eric Darby, Mazda, broke; 'bisi Ezerioha, 9.914, 136.70 def.
Chad Barber, Integra, 11.888, 94.86; Norris Prayoonoto, 9.625, 137.39
def. Michael Thomas, Civic, broke; Saul Salceda, Acura Integra, 16.625,
72.84 was unopposed; Scott Kelley, Corolla, 10.012, 135.02 def. Vince
Tiaga, Mazda, broke; 

QUARTERFINALS -- Durst-Armendariz, 9.643, 141.30 def. Ezerioha, 10.469,
103.07; Salceda, 9.716, 140.88 def. Kelley, 10.005, 134.90; Prayoonoto,
9.717, 136.25 def. Lookofsky, 19.158, 40.10; 

SEMIFINALS -- Durst-Armendariz, 9.598, 141.58 was unopposed; Salceda,
9.779, 140.61 def. Prayoonoto, broke; 

FINAL -- Salceda, 9.573, 141.18 def. Durst-Armendariz, foul. 

 

SPORT RWD: 

 

FINAL -- Julie Stepan, Subaru WRX, 9.158, 145.58 def. Dan Schechter,
Mazda RX7, 11.688, 135.67. 

 

SPORT FWD: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Tony Palo, Acura, 9.588, 155.29 def. Coleman Lau, Honda Del
Sol, broke; Theodore Aasen, Honda Civic, 10.094, 145.67 def. Aweis T B,
foul; Tyler Hara, 9.977, 147.63 def. Phil Lam, 10.137, 147.76; William
Jameson, Honda CRX, 11.405, 135.80 def. Elton Lo, Civic, broke; Mike
Laskey, Civic, 10.234, 132.61 def. Jeremy Bretschneider, 10.642, 140.52;
Paul Ho, 13.007, 110.38 def. Arturbo Ortiz, Integra, 14.853, 80.25; Kyle
Herrera, Civic, 10.885, 116.40 def. Mike Barreraz, 15.167, 80.27;
Cortney Green, Civic, 10.944, 119.23 def. Maria Gordon, Integra, 11.511,
141.28; 

QUARTERFINALS -- Aasen, 11.704, 93.75 def. Palo, foul; Jameson, 11.310,
130.85 def. Herrera, 11.186, 124.30; Green, 9.665, 152.04 def. Laskey,
18.226, 48.46; Hara, 14.076, 92.10 def. Ho, broke; 

SEMIFINALS -- Hara, 10.033, 150.53 def. Green, foul; Aasen, 17.129,
67.24 def. Jameson, broke; 

 

STREET STOCK: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Chris Dye, Acura, 14.672, 103.77 def. Ed Chin, Honda Civic,
14.972, 91.99; Mark Bremer, 12.999, 106.31 def. Edwin Argueta, Acura
Integra, 13.744, 101.80; Jerry Nguyen, 12.685, 113.26 def. Jason Lopez,
12.928, 108.26; Loan Nguyen, Civic, 11.967, 116.78 was unopposed; 

SEMIFINALS -- J. Nguyen, 14.308, 94.12 def. Dye, 14.258, 72.07; L.
Nguyen, broke def. Bremer, foul; 

FINAL -- J. Nguyen, 22.573, 50.64 def. L. Nguyen, broke. 

 

QUICK 16: 

 

ROUND ONE -- Rob Meyer, 10.839, 121.45 def. Ikaika Figeroa, VW, 11.206,
126.39; Hector Urias, VW, 10.515, 118.38 def. Hubie Fuh, Mini Cooper,
11.627, 120.40; Milton Roller, Honda Civic, 10.441, 140.25 def. Allen
Wiess, VW, 11.153, 118.11; Karl Koppenhaver, VW, 10.991, 111.77 def.
Jason Whitfield, Cobalt, 10.552, 143.31; Bok Mounlachack, Civic, 10.544,
125.41 def. Larry Kelley, VW, 16.514, 55.49; Paul Sarnelri, VW, 10.972,
119.71 def. Alfred Rhee, Supra, 10.748, 137.02; Karl Martin, Mazda RX7,
14.863, 88.80 def. David Delcid, Civic, broke; 

QUARTERFINALS -- Martin, 11.192, 106.11 def. Roller, 11.260, 142.06;
Sarnelri, 11.015, 118.42 def. Meyer, 10.913, 126.97; Selders, 14.191,
56.84 def. Koppenhaver, foul; Urias, 13.933, 71.90 def. Mounlachack,
foul; 

SEMIFINALS -- Selders, 10.537, 109.80 def. Sarnelri, 10.955, 119.45;
Urias, 10.581, 98.18 def. Martin, 11.016, 107.10; 

FINAL -- Urias, 14.638, 62.51 def. Selders, foul.

 

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