FERNLEY,NV (Feb. 1) – Officials, drivers and family members from the Top Gun Dragstrip gathered to celebrate the 2019 season on Saturday. The function was at the Fernley Senior Center and began a very nice potluck dinner.
Once that was over John Stauverman, track president and race director, introduced the new track announcer, Davey Boy Munoz.
After explaining his extensive background Munoz took a wireless mic and began to interview some of those in attendance. All during this time track photographer Al Clark was showing an AV presentation he made from the 2019 season.
Once things settled down Stauverman explained what was coming in the 2020 season.
Among the many items was how well the $5 Fridays had gone and how they separated the street-cars from those that usually run in competition.
He added the final $5 Friday has 600 spectators and 200 cars taking advantage of the low entry fee and getting a chance to see how fast their cars were. Overall the attendance and car count was up from the previous year.
This year’s ET Finals will be in Bakersfield during the first week of October and Top Gun has 10 races scheduled for this season.
“If there is a rain out we’ll try and fit it in during the year,” he said.
This was followed by a question and answer period.
This year’s champions and runner ups got a very nice plaque with photo from Al Clark. There were also gift certificates from Summit Racing as well as a gift card from O’Reillys Auto Parts and a champion’s jacket for the top in every class.
Sadly not everyone was able to attend the function. Junior Dragster champion Nick Morris wasn’t there and that class had a tie for the runner-up trophy as Jayce Schmid and Dakota Sasser scored equal points.
The two Rookies of the Year were Josh Bolt in Motorcycles and Pro driver Mason Marlin.
Bike champion Tommy Brown was there to receive his trophy and champion’s jacket as well as gift cards. Another champion that was present was David DuBose, who won the Pro Class and Super Pro Winner Lonnie Grace.
Then Stauverman called up Jim Setterberg and went over all the things he did for the track this past season. After that he presented Setterberg with the Most Valuable Player award.
Next task for the president was the interview.
“Last year we had a phenomenal year, our car count was up, our spectator count was up, our gross profits were up, our track conditions were improved through some constructions we had at the beginning of the year. Everything was towards the benefit of the racer,” he said. “We’re continuing to do track improvements and we’re coming up with some new races. We have an Arm Drop Saturday where we’re not going to use the Christmas tree. We’re going to use the old hand drop like you would on the street, A scarf or a flag or something like that.”
There is a purpose in this type of an event as he explained it.
“The idea is to take the kids off the street and bring them out to the race track where it’s a safer racing environment. We’re trying to encourage racers, encourage kids and people with a need for speed, and a desire for drag racing to come out to Top Gun Drag Strip,” he said.
He also explained why the track won’t be doind no prep events as they can get pretty scary. Seems a prepped track helps the cars go straighter and are safer.
Due do this the track is offering some options to no prep.
“They’re popular but we try to do similar to no prep race track by giving them arm drop races, $5 Friday, Test N’ Tune, Grudge Races any of those other kind of events,” he said.
Less than two months from now the track will host its first event of the new season. And so far it looks very good.
“I’m very optimistic looking forward, it’s going to be a wonderful year,” he said. “Even tonight’s banquet, the number of people here tonight has gone up by 20% so we’re hoping to get that with the racers out at the track next year.”
For further information on the track one can check the track’s website at www.topgunraceway.com or their Face Book Page.
REPORTER’S NOTE:
The full list of points plus the awards made from photos taken by track photographer Al Clark, whose site is www.problemchilddesigns.net. He has great photos from the entire season for sale.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Arenacross is returning to the Livestock Events Center this weekend and flaggers are needed for this Friday/Saturday event.
There are requirements as they must be 18 or older, have some experience flagging a race and need to be prepared for two long days. Each day begins at 9 a.m. and, although there should be a break, they’ll be on the floor through the afternoon amateur and evening pro races.
Those interested should contact Mike Merris at 775-690-1135.
• Sunday’s Reno Cars & Coffee meet, while smaller due to the increasing winds, was the usual mix of exotic to vintage. One trio featured a VW Beatle, a vintage Citron and a Ferrari.
The Ferrari is a 1987 2+2 Mondail featuring a transverse V-8 and was bought by Ron Blalack from its original owner in California. He and his son have a bit of mechanical work to do on it but overall the car appears to be in fine shape.
• This is the week for the King of the Hammer’s off road event in Johnson Valley, California outside of 29 Palms. There will be around 60,000 people camped down there for the week as this event is like Burning Man for Gear Heads.
Sunday was UTV day and after an absence of a year motorcycles will race Saturday in the Moto King race. All the events are live streamed and to view them please go to www.ultra4racing.com and click the live feed feature.
It’s a wild week of some of the toughest off road racing on the planet.
• Remember this coming Friday and Saturday is when Arenacross visits the Reno Livestock Center. Amateurs will race in the afternoon while the Pro have their show starting around 7 in each evening. Should be two action packed motocross shows.
• Tuesday, from 2 until 3 p.m. is when Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air. The show covers all things automotive as well as trends.
I have a preview section at 2:15 and in the Reno/Sparks area we can be heard over the air at 1180 AM. You can also listen to the Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or watch us live on Facebook.
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
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We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they not only support your sport but they help nvracingnews continue.
Our newest 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.
This year fantastic race photographer Melissa Coker joined the family of sponsors. If you have raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake 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 of 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, and our newest sponsor is Moto Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again there is 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&Company 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.
You can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
TOP GUN DRAG STRIP 2019 POINTS:
Junior Dragster:
1. Nicholas Morris, 2. Dakota Sasser, 3. Jayce Schmid, 4. Laney Brown.
Motorcycle:
1. Tommy Brown, 2. Josh Bolt, 3. Davis Dominic, 4. Donald Palmer, 5. Zack Clarke, 6. Dave Asher, 7. Dean Prowse, 8. Thomas Price.
Sportsman:
1. Cortney Morris, 2. Wait Stacey, 3. Tami Phillips, 4. Marc Klose, 5. James Cook, 6. Phil Sabatino, 7. Deni Cook, 8. Paul Gonzales, 9. Necia Brown, 10. Anthony Sabatino, 11. John Swartz, 12. Zach Clarke, 13. Steve Melson, 14. Chas Potts, 15. Thomas Price, 16. Kevin Neely, 17. Ryan Daytel, 18. Ed Reuter.
Pro:
1. Dave Dubose, 2. Jimmy Grace, 3. Mason Marlin, 4. Jim Setterberg, 5. David Schnepp, 6. Steve Tintinger, 7. Papa Brown, 8. Mark Gonzales, 9. Fred Shoemaker, 10. Kevin Morris, 11. John Krinner, 12. Steve Melson, 13. Nina Mroczkowski, 14. Michael Mroczkowski, 15. Shane Crostini.
Super Pro:
1. Lonnie Grace, 2. Jeff Lundy, 3. Bruce Wallace, 4. Allen Carey, 5. Troy Moyle.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Super Pro champion for 2019 is Lonnie Grace holding his trophy and champion’s jacket. 
Pro Champion David DuBose received his trophy and champion’s jacket. Before awards were handed out track president and race director John Stauverman gave a review of the 2019 season and a preview of what’s to come in 2020. The banquet featured a great pot luck dinner to get things going. 
Johnny Brown was the Bike champion. Trophies with O’Reilly gift cards. Trophies with Summit gift certificates. 
Pro Winner trophy courtesy problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Super Pro trophy. Courtesy Problemchilddesigns.net/All Clark 
Sportsman winner trophy. Courtesy problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Super Pro Runner Up trophy. Courtesy problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Pro Runner Up trophy/Courtesy problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Sportsman Winner trophy/courtesy – problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Bike Winner Trophy – Courtesy problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Bike Runner Up Trophy – courtesy problemchilddesigns.net 
Junior Dragster Winner trophy – problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Junior Dragster class had a tie so there are two runner ups on the trophy. Courtesy – problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. 
Rookies of the Year in Bikes and Pros. Courtesy – problemchilddesigns.net/Al Clark. Jim Setterberg received the Most Valuable Player award.
