Woodburn Saturday summary

RACE OF CHAMPIONS WINNERS CROWNED AT NHRA NORTHWEST DIVISION SUMMIT RACING SERIES FINALS

WOODBURN, Ore. - The best NHRA Summit Racing Series competitors from across the Northwest division have come to Woodburn Dragstrip to face off in head-to-head competition, vying for individual and team honors. Saturday's action included the Race of Champions, a race within a race where the top points-earning drivers from participating tracks square off for a chance to run for a national title against the winners from NHRA's other six divisions.

In the Super Pro Race of Champions, Tim Schroedl of Bremerton, Wash., representing Bremerton Raceway, wheeled his '81 Olds to the win over Lost Creek Raceway's Wade Hall of Butte, Mont., who was driving a '63 Nova. The Pro Race of Champions winner, Ken Stevens, Springfield, Ore., driving for Coos Bay Int'l Speedway beat out Nicholas Shepherd of Tigard, Ore. Shepherd was running his '62 Chevy II for Woodburn Dragstrip. Justin Saxe, Oregon City, Ore., scored the Race of Champions win in Sportsman behind the wheel of his '65 Buick. Saxe earned the winover Phillip Marvetz of Bellingham, Wash., wheeling his '71 Duster. Mark Canty, aboard his '02 Yamaha, scored the Race of Champions win for Portland Int'l Raceway. He rode past Jim Funderburg, Burien, Wash., racing for Bremerton Raceway, in the final.

Winners of the Race of Champions will compete at the NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., for a national championship. They will run for a winner-take-all payday of $5,000. Each racer will also receive $3,500 for competing at the NHRA Finals.

Each round won by a track in the Race of Champions is tallied for the Track Manager's Challenge. In the end, Portland Int'l Raceway earned the honors with a total of 34 points.

The event will continue Saturday and Sunday. Drivers in Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle/Snowmobile as well as a High School category and two classes of Jr. Dragsters represent 20 tracks vying for top honors and a share of the $11,300 purse. Competitors in the High School and Jr. Dragster classes are running for trophies.

Gates at Woodburn Dragstrip open at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Time trials continue Saturday at 9 a.m. and eliminations start Sunday morning at 9. For more information call Woodburn Dragstrip, (503) 983-4461, or visit www.WoodburnDragstrip.com.

-credit: nhra