Bethalto, Ill. -- Good evening from my childhood home in Bethalto, Ill.! The O’Reilly Midwest NHRA Nationals presented by Castrol is at my “home track,” Gateway International Raceway, just about 20 minutes from my parents’ house.
Last weekend the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) visited the Atlanta Dragway in Commerce (Ga.). By looking at Winner’s Circle photos, one would almost think they were pictures from the SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway a few weeks prior. The only difference, Karen Stoffer (Pro Stock Motorcycle) appeared in the photographs along with back-to-back race winners, Ringers team racer Greg Anderson (Pro Stock), John Force Racing Funny Car driver Robert Hight and Ringers supporting racer Brandon Bernstein (Top Fuel).
Greg Anderson continued his hot streak of 2007, picking up his fourth victory, by defeating the man he used to tune for, “The Professor” Warren Johnson. Anderson cruised into the Winner’s Circle over Johnson, 6.671/207.62 mph to 6.719/205.79 mph. Anderson sits out front of the POWERade Pro Stock points by 212 points.
On Sunday, you could say Brandon Bernstein had quite a “D-Day…” Reason being, every opponent he took on, their first names started with a “D,” three of which their names were Doug. First round Bernstein defeated David Grubnic; quarterfinals, Grubnic’s teammate Doug Kalitta; semifinals, Doug Foley and in the money round, Doug Herbert. Bernstein’s win catapulted him to the top of the POWERade Top Fuel points, coming into his sponsor’s (Budweiser) home track.
Bernstein and Hight weren’t the only two racers to pick up their second wins of the season, Karen Stoffer did as well, keeping the “ladies only” winners in Pro Stock Motorcycle so far this season. Stoffer didn’t have much of a challenger in Matt Smith, as his Torco Race Fuels Buell broke right off the line. Stoffer cruised onto a 7.063/188.65 mph win.
In NASCAR action, the Craftsman Truck Series raced at the Kansas Speedway on Saturday night in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 250. Ringers’ racer Brendan Gaughan bounced back to a great finish after qualifying in the 33rd position. Gaughan brought his No. 77 South Point Resort to the checkered flag in 11th. Gaughan and his South Point Racing team will have a little bit of a break before returning to action at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on May 18.
At Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway on Sunday, the Ringers supporting team of Penske Racing and driver Kurt Busch and Ryan Newman both had stellar days at the 2.66-mile superspeedway. After a 26th place qualifying effort for Busch and a 28th for Newman, at the end of 192 laps, both Busch and Newman crossed the finish line in the top 10; Busch in third and Newman in ninth. Busch, Newman and the entire Penske Racing team make a short jog up to Richmond International Raceway, along with the NASCAR Busch Series, this weekend for their respective events.
One thing I forgot to mention in my Vegas wrap was a huge thank you to Mike Snow, the Gaughan family and the South Point Resort & Casino. The past couple times NHRA has been in Vegas, the South Point has served as Ringers Gloves host hotel for our stays and each and every time, we look forward to returning there. Thanks again to the staff at the South Point and the South Point Racing team for making our stay a great one!
About Ringers Gloves
Ringers Gloves, Official Gloves of NHRA and title sponsor for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, is a full-line manufacturer of high-end, task specific gloves, SFI 3.3/1, 3.3/10, 3.3/20 racing gloves, UnderX protective undergarments and rdigs pit boots.
Keep up with your favorite Ringers racers in ‘07 by logging onto www.ringersgloves.com for photos and highlights!
