Division 4 gets takes dramatic JEGS Allstars victory

Words by Scott Woodruff
Photos courtesy JEGS

Following a thrilling day of competition among drag racing’s best sportsman racers, the team representing Division 4 claimed the overall team title at the prestigious JEGS All-stars event today at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Ill.  Tied with the Division 7 team heading into the final round, the clincher came when Division 4 Super Stock racer Slate Cummings defeated Division 7’s Tony Mandella to officially lock up the championship, and the $20,000 team bonus that accompanies it.

Cummings, who reached the final round in Stock, scored the bulk of the points for the Division 4 team. Tommy Phillips also did his share of the heavy lifting by driving to the Super Comp title over defending champion Michael Miller.  The Division 4 team finished with 1,300 points, 100 more than the Division 7 squad. The Division 3 team was in the running until the late rounds, ultimately finishing with 1,100 points while the teams from Divisions 1 and 2 tied with 800 points. On the other end of the standings, the Division 5 team scored 300 points while the Division 6 team was completely shut out on the scoreboard, scoring zero points for the event despite a talent-laden team.

For the second-straight year, Jim Whiteley claimed the Top Alcohol Dragster title as he stopped Division 4 racer Mike Manners in the final round with a 5.36. Whiteley is the first driver in 20 years to successfully defend a Top Alcohol Dragster title at the JEGS Allstars race.