Words by Eric Lotz
Photos by Auto Imagery

Ryan Smith and Michael Beard led the list of eight winners for the JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals at National Trail Raceway on Sept. 23.

Smith took home the Top Dragster trophy outlasting the quickest field in history with a 6.619 qualifying bump spot. The Kenosha, Wis., racer clocked in at 6.615 seconds at 196.36 mph to defeat Rick Forish, New Palestine, Ind., with a quicker 6.516, 206.20. 

Beard, who recently moved to nearby Blacklick, Ohio, faced off with Jeff Nicewanger out of Zanesville, Ohio, in his ’80 Volare running 10.744 at 122.82 mph for the win.

Phillip Smida II went back to back at the Ohio JEGS SPORTSnationals defending his title from a year ago. Smida, Canfield, Ohio, beat Jack Sepanek for the Super Comp title posting an 8.907 at 163.51 to Sepanek who broke out with an 8.886, 166.91

A pair of former world champions went at it in Stock Eliminator as Bo Butner faced off with the ’82 Champ Tex Miller. Butner, Floyd Knobs, Ind., won the battle of Mustangs running 9.868 at 130.02 in his 2010 to Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., in his ’72 Mustang at 122. 29 mph. Butner nearly had the double up as he advanced to the final in Comp Eliminator where he faced David Billingsley in the first final of the night. Billingsley posted a winning run of 8.831 at 126 mph as Butner left early with the red-light foul start.

Rounding out the winners this weekend were Jerry Albert in the Brodix/Steve Schmidt Top Sportsman class over Billy Thoman; Gary Linkhorn, Cumberland, Ohio, won in his ’27 Ford against Mia Tedesco; and Ricky Shipp added to his trophy collection with a win in Super Street beating Chris DePascale.