Track News

Well we lost another points race to rain. With the “half full” thinking we have been lucky in other areas. So with that being said we are rescheduling the Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16 for Saturday the 24^th of July. With the first round started, the eliminator will pick-up where we stopped. Time trials will be available. The Index Racing Event will be re-run in its entirety on Saturday the 24^th. IRE will re-qualify with the normal 2 runs. We are adding those eliminators to the scheduled event.

TSR is proud to announce the Junior Dragster racers that went to the Nationals in Denver, CO were up to the challenge as a team. With 3 kids advancing to the semi-finals in their age group and other members having gone rounds early in the event Team TSR was in a tie for 2^nd place with home track Bandimere Speedway. The tie-breaker went our way as the first tie-breaker was settled in the final of the 12 year old class. (Stay tuned)

Brock Azbill and Emilee Novak went deep in the eliminators and were awarded with semi-final finishes. We at TSR are proud to announce that we have a National Champion racing from TSR. TRAVIS STEFFENS IS A NATIONAL CHAMPION. Travis’s win was saddened by having to race Emilee Novak in the semi-finals but sadness turned to joy for the Steffens’. After the semis there was a rain delay and the finals were delayed. Travis held his composure and took the win in the 12 year old class. Also a SPECIAL AWARD winner, Travis’ car was selected as the best appearing theme car for the event. That has to be sweet as (dad) Dan Steffens is the painter. Now this article was done without the event run sheets that I will receive later this month. So I can’t tell you who went rounds early in the event for team TSR, but I can tell you that all the kids on the team should be very proud of their accomplishment. We are!!!!

Weldon Tire Super Pro: Matt Kohl vs. Charlie Hamma, Brad Squier vs. Brad Thompson

As before we will try to run the first round of King of the Track at last time trial, then pick up the rest as the day progresses. S/P winner will run Pro Bike winner and Pro will run Sportsman. We will then run-off for the 2010 King of the Track Wally

Pat LaMont won Super Comp over Justin Reaves. 24 cars made the call for first round. Chad LaMont was low qualifier at 8.900. Matt Kohl won Weldon Tire Super Pro over a broken Charlie Hamma. Randy Shepard won Delhi Lumber Pro over Rob Livingston. Pat Weber won Sportsman over Jace Deering. All drivers had a tough day as the humidity and heat were oppressive, making for a tricky track.

Sunday saw a reduction in humidity and temperatures and the racing was tight. Chris Knutson won the Heartland S/SS combo over Randy Shepard. Jarrod Bowman won MWSCA class over a red-lighting Chad LaMont. Doyle Tonneson won Weldon Tire Super Pro over a broken Bill Black. Cory Kahrs won Delhi Lumber Pro over a red-lighting Jim Noben. Rick Coleman was dead-on the dial to take the win in Sportsman over Mark Rosenbohm. Brian Moody won Trophy class over a red-lighting Bill Morris. Jarron Christensen won Tri-State Street Bike over a broken Pat Finder. After having a couple weeks off from racing it was nice to see everyone at the track.

After loosing the entire weekend to rain, we have rescheduled the Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16 for July 25^th and the Index Racing Event is rescheduled for July 11^th. Hopefully the weather will straighten out and allow us some racing.

The first running of the 5 race series named the Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16 presented by Weldon Tire and area Kwik Stops was contested on Sunday of the 2 day event. After the 3^rd qualifier it was John Thuman receiving the 100$ low qualifier bonus. Thuman’s 6.74 qualifier #1 by near an entire second. In the eliminator it was Duane Knutson getting his first win of 2010 at the expense of Howard Schlueter. Schlueter befitted from breakout runs by Rusty Robertson, Tony Robertson and Lyle Roseman to meet Knutson in the final. Knutson was not to be denied as he had run 7.81 three straight times besting Scott Deyo, Dennis Lund Jr. and Pat McGlynn. In the final Knutson put together the best package of the day .015 to get past Schlueter. Staff and racers wish to thank sponsors Wright-Way Trailers, Weldon Tire and area Kwik Stops for their support.

In the Weldon Tire Super Pro final it was Darin Seeger in Al Duvall’s Beretta besting Rusty Robertson. Semi-finalists were Brad Thompson and Mike Schlueter. Doug Heinrichs won MagnaFuel Pro over Jim Ulbrich. Kurt Mullen and Matt Lund were semi-finalists. Justin Rosenbohm won Sportsman over Mark (dad) Rosenbohm. Jason Blomme was the lone semi-finalist. John Ihm won Trophy class over Randy Weber. Marie Vanourny was the semi-finalist.

The second day of the Junior Dragster Challenge presented by Toys Done Right Body Shop was the highlighted eliminator of the weekend. The kids got to run for the new little Wally’s NHRA provided as awards for the event. Brenden Bungert won Sundays eliminator over Ashley Novak. Bungert bested Emilee Novak to stop an all Novak final. In the final Bungert waited long enough for Novak to red-light first. Ben Haugen won the Novak Electric Junior consi over Ryan Estal. Addie Ulbrich was the lone semi-finalist.

Saturday results are as follows. Rusty Robertson won Super Pro over Duane Knutson. Bob Ridenour won MagnaFuel Pro over a broken Doug Heinrichs. '09 Champ Pat Weber won Sportsman over Carolyn Coleman. Brian Moody won Trophy class over Shawn Hermsen. Ashley Novak won the little Wally on Saturday besting Travis Steffens in the Toys Done Right Junior Dragster final. Tim Walker won the Novak Electric Junior consi over Evan Vincent. The kids want to thank NHRA for the really cool trophies and the Junior Dragster Challenge program.

As racing started in 2010 something has been missing. Mike Michaelis passed away this off-season and it hit me as the kids were staging up for their first round in Junior Dragster. Mike usually greeted me each event with a smile and a handshake. Always the competitor, Mike always had a couple grandkids in the Junior Dragster class and one in Super Pro. Mike got to witness Ryan, his grandson, get his first win in Super Pro as well as many victories in the Junior Dragster class with Mallory and Sydney, his granddaughters. Mike will be missed by the staff and racers at TSR.

At this time TSR is pleased to announce the Run For The Ring in 2010 and beyond will be named “The Mike Michaelis Run For The Ring”. The top 8 points earners in Junior Dragster during the 2010 season will have this special race during the National Dragster Challenge event in September.

Howard Schlueter started where he ended last season, with a win. Pro and Sportsman 09 champs Mullen and Weber started with wins also. The first dual event weekend was beautiful for racing and the cars came out. Super Pro racers John Davis Jr. found the winners circle Saturday and Doyle Tonneson was Sunday’s winner. In Pro it was Doug Heinrichs winning on Saturday and Jessica Wescott on Sunday collecting her first win. Other Saturday winners were Dennis Eudaley (Sportsman), Dan Steffens (Trophy), Tim Walker (High School), Morgan Walsh (Toys Done Right Junior Dragster) and Travis Steffens (Novak Electric Consi). Saturday was our first running of the Index Racing Eliminators and the competition was fierce. Bob Siegwarth was the Performance Fabrication 9.50 winner. Mike Allen won the Siegwarth Motorsports 10.50 class. Charlie Kuenster won Jeff’s Auto and Cycle 11.60 class. Jerry Kuenster was uncontested for the Zenke Auto and Black Magic 12.50 class and Dennis Eudaley won the Brown’s Sales and Leasing 13.50 class. Other Sunday winners were Bruce Stockman (Sportsman), Biker Bill Morris won the hardware in Trophy class. "Timeslip Cody" Kelchen won High School in his first attempt, and Nathan Stowell won Tri-State Street Bike. Laura Keuter won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster and Morgan Walsh won the Novak Electric Junior Consi.

The track has been tight with the cool spring temps and the racers have run personal bests. Our early test n tunes have been a joy to watch as 5 second runs are not the norm, but we have had them.

NHRA/Tri-State Raceway Junior Dragster Challenge presented by Toys Done Right Body Shop will run both days this weekend with SPECIAL Trophies for the winner and runner up both days. Lets call them little WALLY’S and they are cool. I am sure the competition will be fierce. Don’t miss it!!!!!!!

SFI announced late last night that 3.2A/5 suits made prior to 2009 by Impact Racing have been decertified effectively immediately.

As a result, and per NHRA’s Rulebook, those products are no longer allowed for use at NHRA sanctioned events.

NHRA has spent the morning speaking with the Division Directors who will be conducting events this weekend, as well as manufacturers and suppliers of certified products. There is limited inventory available and the manufacturers and suppliers can overnight product to racers for use this weekend.

NHRA will work on-site at planned events with the racers to do everything possible to assure the racers can comply with NHRA’s Rulebook.

For more information regarding SFI’s action against Impact Racing, please log on to www.sfifoundation.com.

We are looking forward to a new season. There are some new rules and most are safety related. 10.99 and quicker require a NHRA approved locking dipstick on the automatic transmission. Check www.nhra.com for the approved list or contact the track. Also NHRA will not supply a rulebook with each membership. Rules are available on line at www.nhra.com. Have lots of paper in the printer.

High School has been moved to a 12.00 and slower class Each team must have raced at least twice (2) at a Summit points race to qualify to race for team TSR 2010. Rates will go up $5 Entry will be $70 spectator (3 day) $40 Team TSR will be parking a little closer to the track than last year. I am still talking about the 09 ET Finals. I do believe we will be as strong in 2010.

Hopefully we can acquire sponsorships for these classes and help raise the purses. This has the potential to be some fun pro tree racing. Please contact Bill at the track or Chad Wynos at 608-792-6132 with any questions.

All other eliminators will remain unchanged and hopefully will show growth. In this economy a lot of tracks have made concessions that the racer has had to bear. TSR will do its best to keep the status quo.

Oct 4, 2009 - National Dragster Challenge, Schlueter’s double up and Havlik gets first win.

Great weather greeted racers for the final running of the Tri-State Street Bike Series with 5 riders in contention for the championship it was an exciting eliminator. Also the final running of the Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16 Series was contested and as always it was quick. The championship went down to the final round of the season.

The Heartland S/SS Assoc. was here for the final visit to TSR for 2009. Justin Blondell found the winners circle with close to the dial runs and sharp reaction to green. Blondell bested Bill Dyer in a close final. Richard Myers and Johnny Diekema were semi-finalists. Jeff Stealy was low qualifier with a 11.10 in G/SA trim.

Darin Seeger won Wright-Way Trailer Quick 16 besting newly crowned 09 points champ Matt Kohl. Seeger was the man to beat as he ran 7.64 through out the eliminator. In the opening round Seeger bested Mark Meyers with a .013 package then dispatched Larry Demers with a .023 package. In the semi-finals Seeger put together his best effort of the day with a .012 package. Kohl was equally hot as his first round package was .024 besting Mike Chitty. Kohl then bested Jarrod Bowman with a .014 package then bested Hank Brown with a .025 package. In the final neither driver was stellar on the line but Seeger had the car dialed and got the win. TSR would like to thank Bob Wright of Wright-Way Trailers for the years of support. Weldon Tire and Kwik Stops are presented by sponsors.

Howard Schlueter won Weldon Tire Super Pro over a dead-on the dial Mike Melsha. Schlueter’s Ellis Manufacturing sponsored 98 Racecraft dragster was on the dial all day. Brad Thompson and Matt Kohl were semi-finalists. Clay Schlueter(Howard’s grandson) won MagnaFuel Pro over a red-lighting Jay Merfeld making it a Schlueter double. Kurt Mullen and Dan Keller were semi-finalists. Carolyn Coleman won Sportsman over Bruce Stockman. Both drivers were good at the start but Stockman took to much stripe and broke out. Steve Siefker was the lone semi-finalist. Pat Weber, seven time points champion won Trophy over a too quick Gregg West. Weber was dead-on his dial for the win. Rick Coleman and Ellie Keuter were semi-finalists. Lucas Havlik bested a red-lighting Bill Morris in the TSR Street Bike final. Nathan Stowell and Pat Finder were semi-finalists. Tim Walker 09 points champ won the Toys Done Right Junior Dragster class over a red-lighting Mallory Michaelis. Garrett Chitty was the lone semi-finalist. Brandon Prine won the Novak Electric Junior consi over a red-lighting Laura Keuter. Ryan Lapage and Anna Vincent were semi-finalist. Tri-State Run for the Ring allows our top 8 points earners a special eliminator for a Josten Championship Ring. 2009 champ was Sydney Even. Even Bested 09 points champion Tim Walker in a close race. Laura and Ellie Keuter were semi-finalists. TSR would like to thank series sponsors Weldon Tire, MagnaFuel, Toys Done Right Body Shop, Novak Electric and JB&T Lawn Service.

The 2009 Awards Banquet has been rescheduled for December 5th. For details and a reservation form CLICK HERE.

Coming up the weekend of October 3-4, get ready for the Junior Dragster Pure Power Big Money Nationals. For more information about the event CLICK HERE.

Sunday Sept 27th will bring the track points series to an end. Wright-Way Trailer Quick 16 has been a highly contested series and has been billed as QUICK! Six drivers have a chance at the championship. It will surely be an exciting eliminator.

All classes except Juniors will be racing for a coveted "Wally" in the National Dragster Challenge.

Along with our regular Toys Done Right Junior Dragster and Novak Electric Junior Consi, Tri-State will again be running the top 8 junior dragster points earners in a special eliminator for a Jostens Championship Ring.

This should add to the event and I know the kids are ready to do battle. Junior teams will be readying for the upcoming Pure Power Big Money Nationals.

Sept 19, 2009 - Team Tri-State puts up good fight for ET Finals Championship

Well 2^nd place is not something I would usually brag about, but this year’s effort at the ET Finals was special. Spotting the host track 5 entries (3 High School and 2 broke) was an obstacle that we just couldn’t fight through. With late round efforts from Team Tri-State a good points total was put together and circumstances just allowed a great Heartland Park team the championship. Congratulations to them and to us for a great fight to the end.

Notables from the race were Jerry Dietz 09 TSR point’s champion represented TSR in the Race of Champions and finished r/u. Jeremy Demers was the last man standing in Super Pro with a semi-final finish. Almost everyone scored points for Team Tri-State and we were in the lead till the semis. It was exciting to be in the hunt right up till the end.

Team Spirit winner was Team Tri-State and their mascot Chunky Monkey. I think that monkey got more airtime than the racers. The girls had fun, as did our new friends from Rolling Thunder at Pacific Junction. Next year will be a hoot no doubt. Their manager Road Kill got the worst of a friendly bet and had to wear the panties in front of the whole crowd. We had a blast and are already looking forward to next year at Heartland Park. We will have preferred parking.

With the big three points battles already locked up all eyes were on the Toys Done Right Junior Dragsters. Brandon Prine had a chance and so did Anna Vincent to over take Tim Walker. Walker used a late season charge to claim his first championship. He was also the 09 High School points champion. A beautiful day greeted racers at TSR and racers took advantage with personal best ET’s and speeds. Racing was also TSR tight as Dean Mesenbring bested Robert Shaw in a close final of the USA S/SS combo. Robert Shaw was #1 qualifier with a 13.31 pass that would have made him low qualifier at Indy if he had chosen to go. Terry Johnson and Brian Grosz were semi-finalists. John Miller won Saturday’s Tri-State’s Pro-Cross class over a red-lighting Roger Vanersvelde. Miller had the class championship clinched before the weekend began. Gene Skyberg was the lone semi-finalist. Larry Demers won the Weldon Tire Super Pro class over an off pace Ed Fox Jr. Demers and Fox were even at the start, but Fox was over his dial by .05 and Demers was able to slide by and take the win. Howard Schlueter was the lone semi-finalist. TSR would like to thank Howard and his sponsor Ellis Manufacturing for posting a grinder for the first perfect run on the day. Though it has gone untouched in the past the hand grinder is going to find a new home soon. Richard Randall won MagnaFuel Pro over Eric Shepard. Shepard was a little late and Randall wasn’t and made it look easy. Pamela West of www.great escapemotorsports.com fame was the lone semi-finalist. Jerry Tschetter won Sportsman over a red-lighting Rick Coleman. I hope Coleman has that out of his system, as he will represent TSR at the ET Finals in the race of champions. Lori Hosier and Steve Siefker were semi-finalists. Dan Steffens won the hardware in Trophy class over Justin Rosenbohm. Jennifer Call and Marie Vanourny were semi-finalists. Mallory Michaelis won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster class in a double breakout race with Points Champ Tim Walker. Michaelis had a slight starting line advantage and took the win. Taylar Estal and Ellie Keuter were semi-finalists. Ryan Estal used a perfect .000 r/t to turn on the win light over a dead-on Angela Carter in the final of the Novak Electric Junior Consi. Valerie Steffens and Travis Steffens were semi-finalists.

Sunday’s action was equally exciting as points battles were over it about the money. Rob Turkal won the USA S/SS combo race over a red-lighting HK Newstrom. Denny Nelson and Brian Grosz were semi-finalists. James Findell was low qualifier with a 10.87 blast. Jeremy Lehrke won Tri-State Pro-Cross class over Jay Holmes. Eugene Stoneking and Craig Schultz were semi-finalists. Bob Fuller won Weldon Tire Super Pro class with a dead-on run to overcome the .001 light of Darin Seeger. Seeger took too much stripe and broke out. Fuller used dead-on runs all day for the win. David Primrose was the lone semi-finalist. Ryan Seffrood won MagnaFuel Pro class over Jim Ulbrich. Seffrood used sharp r/t’s throughout the eliminator for the win. Sabrina Niemann was the lone semi-finalist. Pat Weber won Sportsman class over a red-lighting Rick Coleman. 2009 Champ, Weber prevented an all Coleman final besting Carolyn Coleman in the semi’s. Nick Mesenbring bested Justin Rosenbohm in the Trophy class final. Rosenbohm had the tree but couldn’t run the number. John Ihm and Paul Fredrichs were semi-finalists. Travis Steffens bested Points Champ Tim Walker in the Toys Done Right Junior Dragster class. Steffens used a 008 r/t for the win. Sydney Even was the lone semi-finalist. Brandon Prine won the Novak Electric Junior Consi class over Mallory Michaelis. Taylar Estal was the lone semi-finalist.

Sept 4, 2009 - VP Race Fuel and Heartland Tire Group post low qualifier awards

VP Race Fuels of Terre Haute have posted low qualifier bonus money for the low qualifiers in TAD and TAFC for the LODRS event in Earlville. Bonus money of 250$ in each class will be awarded.

Heartland Tire Group and Bridgestone Commercial have placed a bonus of 2 M/T front runners (29”x 4”x15”) for the low qualifier in S/ST.

TSR would like to thank Tom at VP Race Fuels and Bill Kahn at Bridgestone Commercial for the bonuses.

Due to the number of people that will be camping for the Lucas Oil Divisional event, TSR has brought in a (pay for) shower. $5 for a hot shower, now that’s a deal! Friday and Saturday hours will be posted.

With most of the points championships clinched Toys Done Right Junior Dragsters are the exception. With 5 competitors still in the running for the championship this upcoming weekend should be exciting.

With unseasonably cool weather, qualifying was exciting and quick. The forth running of the Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16 was quick as billed. Hank Brown fresh off a big T/D win at the Cordova Division 5 was low qualifier with a strong 6.86. 08 points champ Tony Robertson held the bump at 7.85. Bill Black took a first round win over a red-lighting Dan Varn, and then bested Hank Brown in a close race. In the semi’s Black dodged a .002 r/t by Matt Kohl as Kohl was .020 over his dial, Black was closer to his dial. The other side of the ladder saw Clarence Mayo besting a red-lighting Bruce Kaul in the opening round. Mayo bested Kelly McClung and Tony Robertson to reach the final. Black was .004 off the line and Mayo went red by -.008 to give Black the win. TSR would like to thank Bob Wright of Wright-Way Trailers for his support of the quick program. Also presented by sponsors Kwik Stop and Weldon Tire need mention.

When you're racing good it usually shows in each eliminator you enter. Bill Black showed he was on this day as he made the final of Weldon Tire Super Pro only to be repaid for the earlier defeat of Matt Kohl. Kohl was not to be denied as he won the second encounter with Black at the line. Kohl posted a .003 for the starting line advantage. Mike Schlueter was the lone semi-finalist. TSR would like to thanks Weldon Tire for the class support.

John Diekema won MagnaFuel Pro over Richard Randall in a double breakout race. Diekema posted a .001 r/t in the final and used identical .001 against Kurt Mullen in the semis. Jim Ulbrich was the other semi-finalist. TSR would like to thank MagnaFuel for the class support.

Bruce Stockman won Sportsman over Pat Weber. Stockman made good use of his first visit of the season. Close to the dial runs and sharp r/t’s helped Stockman secure the win. Karl Lavold was the lone semi-finalist.

Tim Walker won High School class over Garrett Chitty. The win secures the points championship for Walker. Ellie Keuter and Cody Caldwell were semi-finalists.

Jes Havlik won Trophy class over a red-lighting Justin Potter. Dennis Achenbach was the lone semi-finalist.

Travis Steffen won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster class over Sydney Even. Steffen had a slight starting line advantage and used a dead-on 8.90 to take the win. Carrie Payne was the lone semi-finalist. TSR would like to thank Toys Done Right Body Shop for the class support.

Ashley Davis won the Novak Electric Junior Consi over Ryan Estal. Davis used a huge starting line advantage to take the win. Taylor Estal was bested by her younger brother in the semi-final match. TSR would like to thank Novak Electric for the class support.

Saturday’s finalists were Jon Beck over Tony Robertson in the Weldon Tire Super Pro final. Kurt Mullen won MagnaFuel Pro over John Davis Jr. Rick Coleman won Sportsman over his wife Carolyn. Ellie Keuter won High School over Garrett Chitty. Garrett Chitty won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster over Tim Walker. Ashley Novak won the Novak Electric Junior Consi over Valerie Steffen.

Area rains forced the rescheduling of the Drag City 15 event to August 30^th. Mark your calendar, as this event has become one of our favorites. Open time runs all day.

At the end of the Control Solutions Quick 16 it was Mark Christen’s blown S-10 at the top of the sheet with a strong 7.62. Mark also won the $100 quickest GM powered vehicle presented by Voegeli Chevrolet. In the eliminator Mike Handke (local) bested Duane Knutson (TSR regular) in a close final. Handke was also awarded with $100 for the best reaction time in the eliminator presented by the Bank of Bellevue. Other special awards were $100 quickest Ford powered vehicle awarded to Dave Meister for an 8.65. Quickest Buick Olds or Pontiac award of $100 went to Eric Knapp presented by Bellevue Auto Body.

In the Christen Bros. Day at the Drags Bracket eliminator it was local Kurt Mullen’s 68 Cuda besting the field with .00 reaction times and close to dial runs. In the final Mullen bested a red-lighting Jason Kreger. Kreger also won the best reaction time in eliminations ( .003) and received $100 for Weaver Auto Parts of New Glarus. 3^rd and 4^th place went to Marty Unger and Wayne Hermsen respectively. Other awards were $100 to first on the dial was Rob Hatfield. Francois Sales and Oil Co. of Bellevue presented that award. Kurt Mullen was awarded $100 for the quickest Mopar presented by Christen Bros. Service of Bellevue. Christen Bros also posted $100 for perfect reaction times and Todd Patterson and Ron Henning took home those awards.

Tri-State staff and Mark and Jeff Christen would like to thank those businesses that support the event and those racers and families who returned to make the event a success.

July 25/26, 2009 - Beck and Ulbrich hit 2 finals, Robertson was close!!!!!!

Beautiful weather greeted races as the weekend started. They were also greeted by the damage done by high winds and hail on Friday. We hope everyone was insured.

Racing was tricky with changing track and weather conditions’ ever-changing it was track regulars Rusty Robertson and Jon Beck in the final of Weldon Tire Super Pro. Robertson getting the nod over Beck’s breakout run. Brandon Busch won MagnaFuel Pro over a broken Bob Siegwarth. Busch had been the man to beat all day as he and his dad figured out the tough conditions. Siegwarth not one to be afraid of working late was the first one in the gate Sunday with new teeth on the ring and pinion. 2008 Sportsman points champion Rick Coleman won Sportsman over Jon Ulbrich. Coleman was dead-on the dial in the final. Nick Berger won Trophy class over Marcus Allan. Berger was late but Allan was off pace to give the win to Berger. Berger was on his dial.

SUNDAY--- SUNDAY---SUNDAY was equally nice and the conditions were not as tricky.

Roger Van Ersvelde won Tri-State’s Pro-Cross class over runaway point leader John Miller. Both drivers were tied together at the green but Miller took the stripe by a little too much and broke out. Van Ersvelde was 91 on the 90 dial for the well deserved win. Jon Beck won Weldon Tire Super Pro over Ray Thompson. Both drivers were again welded together at the green with Beck running closer to his dial for the win. Cuda Kurt Mullen bested Joey Notch in the MagnaFuel Pro final. Mullen was all over the tree (.011) and was able to pedal it to an easy win. Jon Ulbrich won Sportsman over Jerry Tschetter. Ulbrich was better at the tree and closer to his dial for the win in his second final of the weekend. Matt Holthaus won Trophy class over a red-lighting Bill Morris. Holthaus was late leaving but Morris couldn’t wait. Brian Moody won Tri-State’s Street Bike class over 09 points leader Al Mart. Mart lit the red bulb in the final but Moody was right there with a .012 r/t of his own.

Its ET Finals time. We need to know who is interested in going so we can field a full team if possible. Commitment deadline is August 9^th. Thanks for the co-operation as we have teams from Kansas and Missouri wanting to come join in our points and be a part of Team TSR.

July 11/12, 2009 - Mullen wins King of the Track. Demers, Spittle and Keller get first '09 wins.

Saturday was to be one of the nicest days for racing the forecasters have called in a while. At the end of qualifying we had had a couple oil-downs (sorry for the breakage) but the bad luck didn’t go away. Eliminations started with more breakage and with that more oil. Finally getting underway everything ended up with tight competition. 3 times Pro champion Kurt Mullen bested Larry Christianson in the Aerospace Components King of the Track final with a dead on the dial run. Ed Fox Jr. and Rick Coleman were semi-finalists. Tony Robertson won Weldon Tire Super Pro over Brad Thompson. Dustin Meier was the lone semi-finalist. Joey Notch bested Kurt Mullen in the MagnaFuel Pro final. Chris Bartels and Jok Nicholson were semi-finalists. 6 times Sportsman points champion Pat Weber won Sportsman over Lori Hosier. John Fitzgibbons was the lone semi-finalist. Brian Moody won Trophy besting a red-lighting Aaron Bessman in the final. Chris Tribby and Dusty Bessman were semi-finalists.

Sunday came with the same beautiful forecast and the racers came out in numbers. The 3^rd running of the 5 race series Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16 was contested on a tight track. A record bump spot was established at 7.685 in qualifying. Hank Brown was on the pole with a strong 6.902 and received the Wright-Way low qualifier award of 100$. In the eliminator it was Jason Spittle besting John Davis Jr. in a close final. Spittle had his father Bob Spittle first round and it didn’t get any easier. Next was Kelly McClung then Clarence Mayo for the chance to run for the money. Davis Jr. bested Matt Kohl, Andy Nicholson and Jeremy Demers for the chance to meet Spittle. Johnny Diekema bested Jeff Stealy in the Heartland S/SS Combo final. Chris Knutson and Roy Whittemore were semi-finalists. Justin Blondell was the low qualifier at 1.114 under the I/SA index. Larry Demers bested Jarod Bowman in the Weldon Tire Super Pro final. Demers was quick to say that he was lucky getting by Jon Beck in the semis. Beck broke out by .001 after having a sizable starting line advantage. Dan Keller won MagnaFuel Pro over a breakout by Tim Sparks. Keller used consistent starting line advantages for his march to his first win of 09. Richard Randall was the lone semi-finalist. Keller posted a .009 thousandths package to dispatch Randall. 6 time Sportsman points champion Pat Weber won again over a red-lighting Mike Wymore. Colin Hurley was the lone semi-finalist. Gregg West won the final in Trophy class over a red-lighting Nick Merfeld. John Ihm and Dan Heinrichs were semi-finalists.

Tri-State management would like to thank NHRA and Aerosopace Components for the King of the Track program. Also Wright-Way Trailer, Weldon Tire, Kwik Stops and MagnaFuel for the series sponsorships.

TSR staff member Dan Guler has had his camera out at the track grabbing a few photos of the action during the last couple events. Check out the photo pages for some current shots, and look for more to come.

As we enter the second half of the 2009 season it is time for the running of the Aerospace Components King of the Track. The runoff will be held on Saturday, July 11th along with a full program of Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Trophy. Total points settle into a top 4 entered into a winner take all eliminator. Super Pro will run-off as will Pro, Sportsman and Pro Bike. Those champions will then race each other S/P, vs. Pro Bike and Pro vs. Sportsman. Then it’s a run-off for the Wally, plus a gift certificate from Aerospace Components and champions t-shirt and stickers. Not to mention the bragging rights for being King of the Track for the rest of the season. Pairings are as follows.

With hot temps and oppressive humidity racing was tough, but we made the best of a bad situation. Forecasted weather and temps kept some from making the trip, but those that did raced hard. Matt Kohl started out the Weldon Tire Super Pro eliminator against always-tough Bruce Kahl. Kahl sent Kohl to the bye-back round, and then Kohl got hot and ran a string of 7.77’s with good r/t’s. Besting Charlie Hamma in a close semi-final match. In the final awaited Larry Christianson on the Suzuki. Christainson was dead-on his dial but left a little at the line allowing Kohl the win. Joey Notch won MagnaFuel Pro over a red-lighting Chris Bartels notching his first win. Steve Siefker won Sportsman over Carolyn Coleman. Gregg West was uncontested in the Trophy final. Ellie Keuter won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster over Kyle Forgie. Brandon Prine bested Sydney Even in the Novak Electric Junior Consi. Tim Walker won High School over Ellie Keuter.

June 14, 2009 - Earl Miller Jr. Runs on for 1st Wright-Way Quick 16 win.

The Saturday event was delayed by rain, but once we got going it was a great weekend. Cool overcast skies allowed great racing action. Howard Schlueter found his was to the Super Pro win over a red hot Larry Demers. Both driver left with .012 r/t’s and Schlueter’s dead on 8.029 on a 8.02 was the difference as Demers was one (.001) over. Charlie Hamma was the lone semi-finalist.

Steve Decker won MagnaFuel Pro over a red-lighting Jim McConeghey. 08 points champion Kurt Mullen was the lone semi-finalists. To add to Decker’s delight his daughter joined him in the winners circle as the Trophy class winner besting Bill Crocker. David Jackson was the lone semi-finalist. Steve Siefker won Sportsman over 08 points champ Rick Coleman. 6 time points champion Pat Weber was the lone semi-finalists. Ellie Keuter won High School class over Tim Walker. Brandon (Fuzzy) Prine won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster class over Ashley Novak in a close race. Morgan Walsh was the lone semi-finalist. Sydney Even was the winner in the Novak Electric Junior Dragster Consi over Peyton Payne. Anton Payne and Anna Vincent were semi-finalists.

Day two (2) was the second (2^nd) running of the five race series called Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16. At the end of qualifying it was John Thuman in his beautiful 53 Corvette posting a 7.19 for the top spot. TSR was pleased to have a record bump spot of 7.86, and the fans appreciated it also. Earl Miller Jr. bested John Davis Jr. in the opening round with a .001 over 7.88, then went on a dead-on streak of 7.87’s. Dead-on against Howard Schlueter, Tim Deppe and Mike Chitty in the final. Chitty got to the final over Matt Kohl, Charlie Hamma and a broke Bill Black. Chitty’s new Cavalier couldn’t run the number in the final.

Other winners on the day were D. Mo. Hedges besting Tony Robertson in the final of Super Pro. Charlie Hamma and Tom Fangman were semi-finalists. Jim McConeghey won MagnaFuel Pro over a red-lighting Jeremy Bousman. Jim Wolff was the lone semi-finalist. Jim Peterson won Sportsman over Steve Pifkin in the all Dodge pick-up final. CJ Hoftender and Jon Ulbrich were semi-finalists. John Ihm won the hardware in Trophy class over Mike Walsh. David Jackson was the lone semi-finalist. Tim Walker won High School over Ellie Keuter in a double breakout race. Emilee Novak won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster class over Lakin Curry. Ryan Estal was the lone semi-finalist. Chad Bacon won the Novak Electric Junior Consi over Sydney Even. Ashley was the lone semi-finalist.

With the cancellation of the Day at the Drags presented by Christen Brothers on June 6 a reschedule date of August 15^thhas been made. Hope everyone can support this date as the Day at the Drags has turned into one of our most fun days at TSR.

We were able get in the Eve at the Drags presented by the Christen Brothers. Jim Laughlin took his ‘78 Malibu to the winner’s circle at the expense of Mark Rosenbaum. Rosenbaum turned on the red light in the final. Laughlin would have been hard to beat as he was .015 on the tree and .005 under his dial. We had fun with a little evening bracket racing.

	Mike Lund was a success in his first trip to Tri-State besting Don Kimm in a close double breakout race. Lund trailed as they left the line but Kimm went under by more giving the win to Lund. Lund used timely reaction times (.010 r/t over Dave McWilliams) and dead-on the dial runs (7.775 on a 7.77 dial over Darin Seeger) to reach the final. Tri-State staff and racers want to thank sponsor Wright-Way Trailers for the support of the series. Presented by sponsors are area Kwik Stops and Weldon Tire Co. Hank Brown went 7.00 to claim the Wright-Way low qualifier money.
Hank Brown receives Wright-Way Trailer Quick 16 low qualifier.

Bill Dyer qualified number two but ended up number one in the Heartland Stock/Super Stock combo final. Bill bested Greg Anderson and John Steinauer to take the bye in the semis. Dyer used the semi-final pass to set himself up for a dead-on the dial run in the final. It was Dyers 85 Mustang stick shifted stocker over a red-lighting Joe Schaechter in an all stick shifted final. Justin Blondell was low qualifier at 1.06 under pass. Kelly McClung won Super Pro over a red-lighting Darin Seeger in an all dragster final. McClung was deadly at both ends of the track. Besting Dave McWilliams, Scott Miller Jr. Tony Roberston and Bill Moody along the way. 08 MagnaFuel Pro point champ Kurt Mullen didn’t waste time in getting to the winners circle in 09. Mullen bested Jim Wolff in a close MagnaFuel Pro final. Mullen bested Bob Siegwarth and Wayne Hermsen in the late rounds to get the win. Six time points champ Pat Weber bested Carolyn Coleman in the Sportsman final. Weber bested Jerry Tschetter and Jim Peterson to reach the final. Gregg West won the honors in Trophy class over David Jackson. West bested John Ihm and Dennis Duncan to get to the final. We also need to recognize West’s website www.greatescapemotorsports.com for all the pictures.

	Anna Vincent won Toys Done Right Junior Dragster National Dragster Challenge #1 over Nate Loussaert in a close final. Vincent used good reaction times and close to the dial runs to reach the final. In the Novak Electric Junior consi final it was Sage Mortenson over McKenna Bungert. Tri-State racers and staff want to thank series sponsors MagnaFuel, Toys Done Right Body Shop and Novak Electric for their support.
Anna Vincent over Nate Loussaert.

Saturday May 23^rd results.
Ryan Even won Super Pro over Tony Robertson. Ed Fox Jr. and Jeff Hendrickson were semi-finalists. Chris Bartels won MagnaFuel Pro over Jim Wolff. Mike Amos and Joey Notch were semi-finalists. Pat Weber won Sportsman besting Jim Peterson in the final. Rick and Carolyn Coleman were denied in the semis. Gregg West doubled up in the Trophy class this weekend besting Nick Lewin. Dennis Achenbach was the lone semi-finalist. Kyle Forgie bested Brandon Prine in the Toys Done Right Junior Dragster National Dragster Challenge #2. Ellie Keuter and Zach Mortensen were semi-finalist. Anna Vincent bested Tim Walker in the Novak Electric Junior consi. Abby Haben and Jason Azbill Jr. were semi-finalists.
		Ryan Even over Tony Robertson.

While this is not perfect timing in our eyes, NHRA has increased their fees and rates. In fact, they have doubled! That means that a chassis certification that was once $75 has now gone to $150 for a three-year tag. New licenses that used to be $50 are now $100 for a two-year license. NHRA has also increased National Event entry fees and membership dues.I guess everyone will find out together if people will be racing this season. With the 2008 floods and the situation with the economy we have learned that people may not be racing, camping, or doing any other recreational activity. Looking into the 2009 season we are still hopeful though that we will see some of the teams we didn’t see as much last season.

Entry fees and payouts will remain the same as last year. Having not been able to secure all the sponsorships needed we are still going to GUARANTEE the Super Pro and Pro winner’s purse, just like last year.

Wright-Way Trailers Quick 16 is as strong as ever and will remain the same as last season. With all the new, fast cars and dragsters in the area we look forward to having some quick bump spots.

Toys Done Right Junior Dragsters will also be the same as years past with savings bonds and trophies. The only change is that NHRA has lost its top end sponsor, so as of now we will not be receiving hats or new frisbees and may not if they don’t find a new sponsor. We would like to thank O’Reilly Auto Parts for the years they have supported NHRA’s program. Hopefully they will be back someday. Novak Electric is the sponsor again this year for the Consi races. A big thank you to Wright-Way Trailers, Toys Done Right Body Shop, JB & T Lawn Service and Novak Electric for their continued program support!

The Midwest Street Bike Series will be guaranteed $400 to win at each race. The series will be handled the same with a ladder generated each round. This is a true street bike race, no air shifters or automated (slipper) clutches. Last season got the program off the ground and we hope the bikers will support the program again this year and that it will show growth.

Pro-Cross will be a stand alone eliminator. The entry fee will remain the same and the payout will be based on the number of entries. There is no entry fee to join points in this class. The points champion will receive a jacket and a gold card for next season. This is a fun class and it is unique to Tri-State Raceway. We hope everyone enjoys this series as much as we do!