FALLON, NV (Sept 13) – Top Gun Drag Strip ended it’s shortened 2020 season this weekend. It was a busy two days with additional races Saturday night and one on Sunday.
Two oil downs helpd up the show for a couple of hours Saturday but before and after those the rounds continued to roll. Finally it was time for the finals.
One additional race was the MOPAR vs The World contest. The winner’s prize was $1,000 and every time there was a round a MOPAR lined up against another car. When the dust settled Saturday’s winner was Brandon Clark who bested local Lonnie Grace.
On Sunday the world won as Don Morris collected the winner’s prize after beating Dennis Sato
In the Bikes Saturday’s winner was Reno resident Dave Asher but Gary Stoffer won on Sunday. Saturday’s Top Gunner Shoot Out winner was Tommy Brown.
There was also a father-son duo that both won their respective races. The senior was Steve Schmid racing a modified ’67 Camaro winning the ET Super Pro both Saturday and Sunday..
“The day’s been good and my son won Jr. Dragster too,’ he said after Saturday’s races..
In Junior Dragster his son Kellen capped off a great year for this rookie driver. In the end the 10-year-old not only won Rookie of the Year honors but also the division championship and this in only his third race.
Asked about his technique Saturday the 10-year-old said, “I have my foot on the brake then I have my foot ready to go on the gas. Then I let off the brake and lay on the gas.”
On Sunday Crue Csteel won the Junior Dragster final round ending his weekend on a high note.
Another winner was the track photographer/racer Alvin Clark, who won the Pro division Saturday and ended up with his class championship, which capped off a great year.
After Saturday’s races he said, “I won the Pro Top Gunner Shoot Out Between the number one qualifier and the number one finisher at every race this year. You know the track was pretty good, haven’t had any problems with it all day and the car ran consistent.”
On Sunday however Hal Lockett won the final Pro round.
Another racer capping off a championship year was Marc Klose, who races a ’72 Vega. In fact when it got dark he turned on the car’s lights as they all still work.
On Saturday he won the final in Sportsman and his part in the Top Gunner Shoot out.
“Track is fine, like it’s been for the past couple of years,” he said. “I had problems with the Vega not wanting to shift into second but it went on through. It was good, won its class also won the Number 1 qualifier races we have.”
On Sunday the Sportsman winner was Mike Holland.
Despite being busy John Stauverman made a couple of minutes to give his views on the season that has ended and what’s to come next year, if things get back to normal.
“I think the shortened season has actually has benefited us to a certain degree. A lot of things you can’t do anymore, certain activities that are large groupings aren’t able to be held anymore,” he said. “We have an open facility, outside with lots of space, no large groupings and people in general, racers want to have something to do. We’re out here open right now for the racers and the crewmembers.”
Looking back over this past year he has a good feeling about the track and sport.
“It’s been a good year for us but we’ve been on an upward trend for the least three years in a row. So is this because of the current global situation or is this just something that works in our favor because it’s back to being a growing sport. I don’t know the answer.”
He also feels the track has some positive impact on the area’s car community.
“Our $5 Fridays are really successful. We’re able to bring the younger generation and even the older generation off the streets and bring them to Top Gun Dragstrip for legal drag racing. It’s been a real good success for us I think with the help of Face Book and Social Media we’ve had this actually continue to grow,” he said.
Although the season has ended the planning for next year has begun.
“April or March of next year we’ll start out again,”he said. “We normally run10 points per season and that’s what we anticipate having next year along with a handful of $5 Fridays and some special Saturday events.
“We should hope to have our schedule for 2021 available to the general public on social media and our Internet hopefully by December 1st. The website is www.topgundragstrip.com.”
REPORTER’S NOTE: First and foremost want to apologize for this article coming out late. I should have followed up on getting the results and want to thank John fore helping me out.
For those wanting pictures I’d recommend Alvin Clarke. He does great work and photos are a great way to keep the memories as well as make good gifts for sponsors.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on from 2 until 3 p.m. It is focused on all things automotive including trends and trivia.
Tuesday afternoons. In the Reno/Sparks area the show can be heard over the air on 1180 AM.
The show is also on a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm and can be seen live on Face Book.
• The sponsors that make this site possible are listed after the results.
RESULTS:
Top Gun Raceway Final Rounds
• Saturday, Sept 12:
+ Sportsman: 1. Mike Holland , ET 14.652, 90.02 mph, 2. Bryan Oaks, ET 14.341, 100.07 mph.
+ Pro: 1. Hal Lockett, ET 9992, 130.77 mph, 2. Mason Marlin, ET 10.054, 127.84 mph.
+ Super Pro: 1. Steve Schmid, ET 8.862, 153.06 mph, 2. Lonnie Grace, ET 8.772, 156.43
+ Motorcycle: 1. Gary Stoffer, ET 8.859, 147.31 mph, 2. Mike Downs, ET 12.174, 108.69.
+ Jr. Dragster: 1. Kellen Schmid.
+MOPAR vs the World: 1. Braddon Clark, 2. Lonnie Grace.
Top Gun Shoot Out:
+ Super Pro: Frank Barrett.
+ Pro: Alvin Clarke.
+ Sportsman:Marc Klose.
+ Bike: Tommy Brown.
• Sunday, Sept. 13.
+ Sportsman: 1. Marc Klose, ET 13.454, 101.05 mph, 2. Jim Horne, ET 12.433, 100.71 mph.
+ Pro: 1.Steve Tintinger, ET 10.324, 111.94 mph, 2. Don Morris, ET 10.358, 130.37 mph
+ Super Pro: 1. Steve Schmid, ET 8.799, 154.30 mph, 2. Frank Barrett, ET 10.473, 142.90 mph.
+ Motorcycle: 1.Dave Asher, ET 9.65, 124.33 mph, 2. Fred Shoemaker Jr., ET 14.100, 87.80 mph.
+ Junior Dragster: Crue Casteel.
• 2020 Champions:
Junior Dragster: Kellen Schmid, Rookie of the Year and 2020 Champion.
+ Super Pro – Lonnie Grace, Pro – Alvin Clarke, Sportsman – Walt Stacey, Motorcycle – Tommy Brown.
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We now have seven very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they not only support your sport but they help nvracingnews continue. Please let them know you heard about them through this site.
Our newest sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series.
Among the services offers are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
Another great sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
Former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian is the owner and they not only service older and newer transmission but now have a section dealing with high performance units including those used for towing.
The phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
Another sponsor is fantastic race photographer Melissa Coker. If you have raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
She’s also been at the IMCA Duel in the Desert was well as the Wild West Tour and IMCA Super Nationals in Boone, Iowa. Melissa not only has photos of the cars, and many times drivers, but she can produce hero cards and even a book covering from your season.
To see her collections or to place an order please check her website at www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
The next shop is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
The next sponsor is an excellent place if you need collision repair on your car or truck. It’s Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno and has a long history of first class repairs.
Brian Saul is the owner, a car enthusiast himself and he’s committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. If you’re a rider, well Wednesday evening is Bike Night, always a great time to see some great looking bikes and meet like-minded people.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or an off road demographic? We are always looking for more sponsors and will expose your business to the racing and off road community in this area.
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