Annie Whiteley (NHRA photo)

Rookie Annie Whiteley has won more regional events than anyone in Top Alcohol Funny Car this year – four altogether and three in a row: Las Vegas, Tulsa, Sonoma, and now Woodburn. After qualifying second behind Doug Gordon (5.60 to 5.61), she had low ET of all three rounds of eliminations, starting with a track-record 5.54 in the first round opposite quick-leaving Sean Bellemeur.

Earlier in that round, 2011 U.S. Nationals Comp champ Jirka Kaplan, who was making his debut in Top Alcohol Funny Car at this race, upset second-ranked Steve Gasparrelli on a holeshot with a .015 reaction time, 5.75 to 5.66. Kaplan had a .018 in the semifinals, but Whiteley drove around him with a 5.610. In the other semifinal matchup, Brian Hough just missed lane choice for the final with a 5.617 against Russ Parker, who had his second consecutive .020 light.

Hough had excellent lights in the first two rounds but Whiteley got the drop on him in the final, .087 to .092, and held it to the finish line, 5.60 to 5.63.          

Local favorite Joe Sorensen of Woodburn, Ore., took home his first NHRA Wally trophy over Coos Bay, Ore., racer Korry Alby.  Sorensen drove his ’69 Camaro to a lap of 10.182 seconds at 128 mph to knock out Alby’s ’68 Chevy at 11.4448, 108 mph.

Top Sportsman Robert Strohm made it two for two at Woodburn winning the Lucas Oil event back in July and then again this weekend.  Strohm of Seattle, put his ’00 Mustang in the winner’s circle running dead on his 7.80 dial at 7.800, 177.30 mph combined with a .008 second reaction time.  Strohm beat the quicker Mike Williams at 7.263, 189.39.

Aaron Kinard has been on a hot streak winning last month in Super Comp in Seattle, then taking the hardware in Super Gas over Curtis Geise this weekend.  Kinard went 9.899 at 161 in the double breakout win while Jess Dale also won on a double breakout in Super Street against Craig Tharp.

Multi-event winner Justin Lamb, Henderson, Nev., broke through for his first win in Comp Eliminator.  Lamb went 142 mph in 8.636 to take out Aaron Strong, Auburn, Wash., running 8.434 at 142 mph.

Leading the rest of the winner’s was Cam Chowen with a perfect .000 reaction time in Stock to defeat Mick Alley. Raymond Jones won in Super Comp when Jolene Scott went too quick running 8.883 seconds on the 8.90 dial, Clint Geise collected his first win in Top Dragster over Art Hoover, Al Ommond won in Sportsman Motorcycle presented by Harley Davidson, Paul Snell won in Super Pro and Steve Stuart beat Steve Williams in Pro.

This was the final 2012 event for NHRA Northwest Division however racers can travel outside their home division and continue to earn points toward national, regional and divisional championships. 

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER

Round 1
2) Chris Demke, Sunland, Calif., 10.160, 73.69 def. 5) Gregg Lawrence, Salem, Ore., broke
3) Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., 5.410, 263.46 def. 4) Ray Martin, Anchorage, Alaska, 10.952, 70.58
1) Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.286, 271.41 was unopposed

Semifinal
Demke, 5.283, 268.25 was unopposed
Whiteley, 5.299, 271.98 def. Severance, 9.295, 113.46

Final
Demke, 5.271, 268.57 def. Whiteley, 5.418, 217.49