Grame extends lead with win; Mull leads list of other victors

National Dragster, Sep 9, 2005 by Overocker, Jamie

HEARTLAND PARK TOPEKA, Topeka (July 22-23) - Mark Grame extended his points lead in NAPA Super Pro with a victory in round four of the E.T. Bracket Racing Series. With Bobby Mount breathing down his neck in the standings, Grame took out Mount in the semifinals before stopping Pat Winsler in the final. With a strong car all day in the brutal heat, Grame battled track temperatures that hovered around the 140-degree Fahrenheit mark to win for the second time this year. In the final, Grame ran a 7.570 to beat Winsler's 10.882.

Ken Mull collected his first Diamond House Pro win of the year. Mull took out Bub Miller in the final, 10.430 to 11.444. The final round was dead even off the starting line as both drivers posted identical .005 reactions.

Michael Failer was another first-time winner this season, taking home the hardware in Muffler Shop of Topeka Sportsman after Dan Moore left the starting Une early. Failer ran a 12.544.

Randall Mavrovich collected the CPA1040 Small Business Solutions Trophy victory, benefiting from a red-light start by Jim Nelson. Mavrovich clocked a 15.516 with his '7O Chevelle on his free pass.

Paul Mustain won his second consecutive Mortgage Specialist Motorcycle race, defeating J.P. Smith in the final. Mustain ran an 11.861 on his '01 Suzuki while Smith roue His '84 Yamaha to a 12.164.

Austin McClure drove his Jr. Dragster to victory twice during the fourth and fifth races of the Heartland Park Topeka Jr. Drag Racing Series presented by Sunoco Race Fuels.

On Friday night, McClure won the trophy in Jr. Dragster (age 8-9) with a victory over current points leader Shelbie Epperson in the final. Epperson left early in the final, giving the win to McClure's 13.345.

McClure was up to the task again Saturday, winning the 8-9 age group over Elijah Thorpe, whose dragster broke during the final.

Current Jr. Dragster (age 10-12) points leader Gabriel Hinkle maintained his lead after winning Friday's race and reaching the semifinals Saturday. Hinkle won Friday's race over Jacob Novacek, 8.975 to 9.235.

Daniel Gilbert drove to victory on Saturday in the 10-12-year-old class, taking out Colt Chase in the final, 8.973 to 9.504.

Michelle Cobb and Katrina Billings won the Jr. Dragster (age 13-17) titles on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Cobb clocked an 8.070 to win Friday's final over Curtis Mertens, who recorded an 8.018.

Billings captured Saturday's win by defeating Dani Gulp, 7.925 to 8.017.

- Jamie Overocker