FALLON, NV (Sept. 19) — Top Gun Dragstrip ended the 2021 season this weekend with a three-day show. It started with $5 Dollar Friday where spectators get in for just five dollars but if they want to race fifteen dollars more lets them make runs down the track.
All weekend was the annual MOPAR vs the World competition as well as the Top Gunner Shoot on Saturday. On Sunday the King of the Track finals ended the season.
The King of the Track pits all four champions in a winner-take-all elimination. Lining up for that final run were Frank Barrett and Cortney Morris and win light went for Barrett plus winning the Wally that goes with it.
For Barrett it was a double championship day and afterwards he said, ” Had an awful week but the car did what it was supposed to do. I also won the Super Pro Championship so this is pretty special as I don’t know how long I’ll be able to continue.
He driving the 1973 Nova his wife used to race. For Barrett, whose involvement goes way back to when he was building Junior Dragsters, helping two nieces race them then finally getting back into a car.
He’s also coming back from some major medical issues and now is grateful for the Good Lord giving him more time and the support his wife has given him.
After the Wally was handed to him, pictures taken, his wife took it, laughed and said, “Well since my name’s on the car guess this is my Wally.”
The other added competition is the annual MOPARS vs the World. However Saturday’s winner was Tom Fortune driving a Chevy Nova. Sunday was a different story as Delbert Manners, driving a Dodge Dart best Mason Marlin in a ’32 Altered.
Asked about the day Manners said, “MOPAR won this time but yesterday the didn’t. It was pretty good and I had one lucky round.”
Then he thanked his brother for helping, a friend and the track for having this race.
Another Sunday event was thr e 1/8th Fun Run, where the cars only race for 1/8th of a mile, same length as the Junior Dragsters use. The final came down to a brother/sister match up.
After the race was over winner Tami Phillips, who beat her brother Dave Dubose, said, “I love beating my brother. We’re raal rivals and we’ve always had fair competition between us while growing up. It’s fun to beat my brother and I have to thank my friend Dean Prose.
In addition to those there were the final rounds of the Summit ET and Junior Dragster series. For one family it was a great weekend with one sweeping, another winning on Sunday and the other securing a championship.
The father Kevin Morris was Sunday’s Pro winner. He drives a 1967 Chevy Nova and defeated Steve Tintinger in their final round.
“I had some luck this weekend as Saturday I was runner up in MOPAR and went to the semis in the Pro Class,” Morris said. “Of course today there as a huge tailwind as the day went on I started having trouble with my brake pedal going down to the floor. Tried to make the best of it, got lucky a few times then the car started to work really well so it was a lot of fun.
It was also a special day for him as his parents were celebrating their 52nd wedding anniversary and it was his mother’s birthday. He gave speial thanks to his son, daughter, those at Top Gun and the Lord Jesus Christ.
A delighted Jamie West was the Super Pro winner as she defeated Frank Barrett in their final run. What made it even more special was she ended her rookie year with a victory.
“I won today, my first victory, I’m so excited,” she said. “You know today was a good day for me. I’ve had a lot of rookie mistakes through the season and today I was rewarded with some luck, so I’ll take it.”
She thanked her husband, motorcycle racer Terry West, daughter Abigail, who race a Junior Dragster, pit crew Kennety, Heidi and her friend Mullai.
In the Sportsman final it was Glenn Reeves and Tami Phillips. The quicker reaction time of Reeves was one key to the victory for him.
“It’s been a great day,” he said. “Yesterday I went three rounds I think. Wasn’t very good in the MOPAR race, lost the first round in that. But Sportsman worked out good for me.”
Then he thanked his son that’s with him as well as family and friends.
While she wasn’t in Sunday’s final Cortney Morris clinched the class championship and won on Saturday notching another Morris family victory.
Asked about racing she said, “It’s been a whole family affair for a long time. Starting the weekend I was one round ahead and I three rounds ahead. The challenge was I had to cut a light.”
Then she thanked her grandpa and father for their help.
Capping the weekend for the Morris family was Nicholas Morris, who swept both days in Junior Dragster. Once again reaction time was important as they class only races 1/8th mile and not the full strip.
“It was a great weekend, had some great lights and just stayed green,” he said.
Then he thanked his grandpa, sister and family members then gave it up to the Lord.
There are no quotes from Motorcycle winner Zach Clarke. Unfortunately he had a high speed get off after winning the final against Tommy Brown.
The officials along with the medics rushed to his aid. They said he was alert and talking but an ambulance was summoned from Fallon just in case.
Seems there is a procedure that if a 911 call is made for a motorcycle accident the rider is taken to the Trauma Center in Reno. Clarke did get a ride by Care Flight but his condition was unknown when this article was posted.
• Saturday had the Top Gunner Shootout. In the end Alvin Clarke was the Pro winner, Lonnie Grace won in Super Pro, Jeff Farnum won in Motorcycle and Walt Stacey was the Sportsman winner.
Now the season is over, rubber has been scrapped off the starting area and to be announced is the awards night. The final results are posted at the end of this article.For the full results, when they are posted and further information please check the track’s website at, www.topgunraceway.com or the Top Gun Dragstrip Face Book page.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Apparently Tuesday, from 4 until 8 p.m. is the final cruise-in at the south Steak ‘N Shake. There will be prizes, music and others things as well.
• If you own a muscle car the National Automobile Museum would like to hear from you. They are planning a new exhibit featuring those cars.
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. In Northwest Nevada it can be heard over the air at 1060 AM.
There is also a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or the show can be seen live on Face Book. It’s all about all things automotive including trends, new developments and trivia.
SPONSOR LIST:
• If you enjoyed this article please “like” and share it was widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
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We now have eight very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnes continue. Do let them know you heard about their business through this site.
• Tread Connection is our newest sponsor and Blake Sobiloff owns the local franchise. The business brings the tire store to the customer so they don’t have to take time off work or even leave home.
Once the tires are ordered Sibiloff, in a fan full of state of the art equipment arrives where the customer’s car is located. He observes all the safety requirements and tires can be ordered as well as paid for online.
He also can scan tires to check wear and see if alignment is needed. A useful service for fleet owners as they can tell if work or new tires are needed ahead of time. There are discounts for First Responders, Active Duty Military, members of the National Guard and Reserves as well as members of the National Guard as well as veterans.
His primary area is Reno and Sparks so one an contact him by calling 775-870-3600, through the Face Book page or the national website at, www.treadconnection.com.
• Next sponsor is G.I.S.L. Land Services that, while having a global client base, has a western US focus. Amoung the services offered Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services.
Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off-road racer competing with MRANN and the AMA National Hare and Hound series. The website is, www.gislandservices.com.
• Next sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
The shop services older and new transmissions and now has a section for high performance units as well as those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is, www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
• Racing photographer Milissa Coker is another sponsor. If you 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.
Besides photos she can make Hero Cards or Memory Books. Here website is, 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 but the store 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 website is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
• The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they area full service shop plus the showroom has about anything a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
• Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation for 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 or just a good place to watch your favorite sports. Wednesday evenings, starting around 5 p.m. is Bike Night, a great place to meet fellow riders, see some great looking bikes or just socialize and have dinner.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is,775-323-6366 and the website is, www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. Sponsorships are reasonable and you can contact us through the comment section of the site or on our Face Book page.
RESULTS:
TOP GUN DRAGSTRIP – SEASON ENDING RACES
• Sunday, Sept. 19:
King of the Track:
+ 2021 Champion – Frank Barrett, ET 10.36, 129.63 mph.
+ R/U – Cortney Morris, ET 12.275, 111.47 mph.
1/8th Fun Run:
+ Champion – Tami Phillips, ET 10.126, 71.64 mph.
+ R/U – Dave Dubose, ET 7.416, 90.24 mph.
MOPAR vs the World:
+ Champion – Delbert Manners, ET 10.513, 119.04 mph.
+ R/U – Mason Marlin, ET 10.31, 130.54 mph.
Final Runs, Round 10, Summit ET and Junior Dragsters:
• Pro:
+ Champion – Kevin Morris, ET 10.782, 125.93 mph.
+ R/U – Steve Tintinger, ET 12.502, 95.75 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Mark Gonzales, ET 10.085, mph not listed.
Super Pro:
+ Champion – Jamie West, ET 8.685, 154.37 mph.
+ R/U – Frank Barrett, ET 10.337, 143.61 mph.
#1 Qualifier – Frank Barrett, 0.003, 144.98 mph.
Motorcycle:
+ Champion – Zach Clarke, ET 10.203, 129.38 mph.
+ R/U – Tommy Brown, ET 9.713, 137.53 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Terry West, 0.012, 139.29 mph.
Sportsman:
+ Champion – Glenn Reeves, ET 12.864, 100.74 mph.
+ R/U – Tami Phillips, ET 15.658, 91.43 mph
#1 Qualifier – Jim Horne, ET 9.555, Not Listed.
Jr. Dragster:
+ Champion – Nicholas Morris, ET 8.065, 72.89 mph.
+R/U – Jayce Schmid, ET 9.555, 68.10 mph.
#1 Qualifier – Not Listed.
• Saturday, Sept. 18:
Top Gunner Shootout:
Pro:
+ Champion – Alvin Clarke, ET 10.526, 129.58 mph.
+ R/U – Mason Marlin, ET 10.020, 131.99 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Alvin Clarke, 0.016, 129.68 mph
Super Pro:
+ Champion – Lonnie Grace, ET 8.743, 156.29 mph.
+ R/U – Troy Moyle, ET 8.640, 155.85 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Laurie Pickett, 0.004, 149.98 mph.
Sportsman:
+ Champion – Walt Stacey, ET 12.916, 107.65 mph.
+ R/U – Jim Setterberg, ET 13.028, 105.19 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Walt Stacey, 0.023, 108.39 mph.
Motorcycle:
+ Champion – Jeff Farnum, ET 10.277, 131.33 mph.
+ R/U – Terry West, ET 9.740, 134.54 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Terry West, 0.041, 141.13 mph.
Final Round Results – Round 9, Summit ET and Jr. Dragsters:
Pro:
+ Champion – Dave Dubose, ET 11.672, 110.92 mph.
+ R/U – Mason Marlin, ET 9.987, 131.93 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Mason Marlin, ET 10.086, Not listed.
Super Pro:
+ Champion – Laurie Pickett, ET 10.178, 148.79 mph.
+ R/U – Frank Barrett, ET 10.283, 143.89 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Hal Lockett, 0.005, 151.32 mph.
Motorcycle:
+ Champion – Tommy Brown, ET 9.737, 140.46 mph.
+ R/U – Dakota Sasser, ET 12.175, 120.69 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Tommy Brown, 0.001, 140.88 mph.
Sportsman:
+ Champion – Cortney Morris, ET 12.209, 108.72
+ R/U – Jim Horne, ET 12.499, 107.56 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Walt Stacey, ET 13.053, Not listed.
MOPAR vs the World:
+ Champion – Tom Fortune, Nova, ET 10.674, 127.45 mph.
+ R/U – Kevin Morris, Nova, ET 10.646, 124.42 mph.
Jr. Dragster:
+ Champion – Nicholas Morris, ET 7.997, 73.71 mph.
+ R/U – Crue Casteel, ET 7.894, 80.83 mph.
+ #1 Qualifier – Jacy Schmid, 0.026, 79.20 mph.
