(Photos by Jeff Burghardt and Mike Burghardt) – We’ve been showing off a lot of the Pro and Fuel classes this year in the NHRA Mello Yello drag racing series, but we’ve got a great bunch of photos of the sportsman classes from the CatSpot NHRA Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways. The Seattle event was the third leg of the NHRA Western Swing.
We’ll post Top Fuel, Harleys and Pro Stock over the weekend.
Northwest Top Alcohol Dragster rivals Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., and Shawn Cowie, Surrey, B.C., clashed in the final round. Severance took the lead out of the gate running 5.278 seconds, 274.16 mph. But Cowie was able to reel him in and pass him for the national event Wally trophy running 5.230 seconds, 277.26 mph.
In the Top Alcohol Funny car final round, Chris Marshall, McMinnville, Ore., made his final round debut lining up against defending 2017 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series World Champion, Shane Westerfield, Anaheim, Calif. Westerfield took a strong lead running 5.510 seconds, 269.78 mph. But Marshall caught him down the stretch and outran Westerfield for the final round victory at 5.455 seconds, 269.19 mph.
The defending 2017 Lucas Oil Super Stock World champion, Justin Lamb, Henderson, Nev., worked his way through the field, squaring off against Kory Alby, Coos Bay, Ore. Kirby hit a perfect reaction time, .000 seconds, but broke out giving Lamb the win. Lamb ran 8.519 seconds, 158.82 mph.
Bryan LaFlam, Gilbert, Ariz., triggered a great light (.002 second reaction time) running 6.342 seconds, 224.47 mph to outpace James Rutherford, Webley Wash., for Top Sportsman presented by Racing RV’s final round win.
Steve Casner, Sheridan, Calif., took the starting line advantage and did not look back running 6.699 seconds, 198.99 mph, eliminating Andy Spiegel, Alton, Calif., from the Top Dragster presented by Racing RV’s final final round.
The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were Brian Hyerstay in Comp Eliminator, Ryan Warter in Stock, Greg Krause in Super Comp, Gene Kelly in Super Gas, and Francesca Giroux in Super Street.
