International Drag Bike League at Budds Creek, Maryland

Big Entries, Big Wins

Words and photos by Tim Hailey

Bobby Lovingood got the 4.60 class winner.

Jason Miller's Mickey Thompson International Drag Bike League continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, with each event drawing significantly more entries than in previous years. Traditionally a smaller event on the IDBL schedule, the 29th annual MTC Summer Nationals on May 29-31 showed a better than 10% increase to 678 entries—all pushed smoothly down track under beautiful skies by the efficient Maryland International Raceway staff.

But big entries weren't the only super-sized sensation of the weekend. DME Racing Real Street is structured to even out the playing field between pint-sized riders like multi-time champ Jeremy Teasley and big guys like Anibal "Cannibal" Merced. He and other men of "normal" girth get a little extra wheelbase in their swingarms to launch harder and keep the front wheel planted on Budds Creek's sticky quarter mile.

Joey Gladstone

This Summer Nationals would not be Teasley's best result. Qualifying only fifth, Teasley was out early, spinning and losing in Round 1 to Joey Gladstone. Joey was riding class sponsor DME's brand new, all-motor Suzuki Hayabusa.

Despite a .050 advantage at the tree in Round 2, Gladstone was unable to hold off the massive nitrous charge of Roger Starrette's Kawasaki ZX14. Starrette then spun at launch and lost to former champ Johnny "Turbo" Dobrin in the semis.