Chilbes family double dips; Parsons, George also score

National Dragster, Mar 4, 2005 by Clarke, Al

INYOKERN DRAGSTRIP, Inyokern, Calif. (Feb. 5-6) - Barren Parsons was among the winners at Inyokern Dragstrip's two-day February event. After taking the No. 1 qualifying spot by running right on his dial in the first round, Parsons outlasted the rest of the field. In the final, Parsons got the nod when Brock Kleeman broke out.

Last year's Division 7 NHRA Summit Racing Series High School Race of Champions winner Peter Chilbes III switched to Sportsman this season, and it paid off with a win. After defeating Mike ,Spencer in the semi's, Chilbes defeated Jody George for the victory. Carl Cole was the No. 1 qualifier.

Though unsuccessful in the Sportsman final, George was able to go the distance in Pro, George got the nod when top qualifier Dave Hamel broke out by .005-second in the trophy round. Scott Evans was the lone semifinalist.

Steve Parsons used a better light to defeat Tom Burgess and earn his first Super Pro win of the season. David Leighton, the No. 1 qualifier, finished in the semi's.

In Bike, Jeff Kleeman was the only racer to enter for the second straight race.

The Sport Compact Trophy final paired up the quickest car in the field, Pierre Ganudet's '96 Integra, and the slowest car in the field, Josh Graham's Daewoo, and the faster car won. Ganudet earned the win when Graham broke out with a 19.351 (19.40-dial). Ganudet defeated veteran Omar Kamani and Patrick Perciva to advance to the final, and Graham got past Mike Drake and Corey Phillips.

Peter Chilbes Jr. won Street Legal Trophy when David Dowdell broke out. Chilbes clocked a 12.754 (12.72). Maychurie Smith was the lone semifinalist.

Bradley Owens put together another dominating performance to make it two in a row in Jr. Dragster (age 8-9). After qualifying No. 1, Owens used a series of outstanding lights to advance to the final against Justin Ball. Ball had a slightly better light in the trophy round, but his car fell off, and Owens was able to drive around him for the win.

No. 1 qualifier Jacob Boggs and No. 2 qualifier Alyse Janosko squared off in the Jr. Dragster (age 10-12) final. Janosko got the nod when Boggs was late at the Tree. Though she lost in round one, Kellie Coapstick-Wright held on to the points lead.

For the second straight race, a Springer girl advanced to the Jr. Dragster (age 13-17) final. This time, Jackyln Springer met up with Brett Shoffner, who defeated Springer's sister Berlyn in the opening round. Springer avenged her sister's loss by using a better reaction time to beat Shoffner for the title. P.J. Boggs was the top qualifier, and Austin Owens' points lead was cut to 10.

The Second Chance Jr. Dragster King of the Hill final featured the brother-sister team of Travis and Amber Cherry. The pair was separated by just .001-second at the starting line, but Travis slowed to an 8.513 (8.16), allowing Amber to go around him for the win. Zach Gutierrez was the No. 1 qualifier. - Al Clarke