Outside of the Stock class, the grizzled veterans did pretty well at this event. Mike Koontz had a heck of a weekend, winning in Top Sportsman twice. He and his 2000 Chevy S10 pick-up truck not only walked off with the Sportsman Nationals title, but the day before he won the same class in the IHRA Patriots Division Pro-Am, which was also held at Richmond Dragway.

A friend had to twist Tony Helms’s arm to get him to haul his Quick Rod all the way to Virginia from Oglethorpe, Georgia. He owes that friend (who, for the record, is Todd Ives) a big favor. Helms claimed the top spot in his class when runner-up John Dustin went red in the final round.

The Sportsman Nationals are new this year. The IHRA is holding one event in each of its six divisions, and the stakes are high. Winners are guaranteed places in the Tournament of Champions race, which will be held during the IHRA World Finals at Rockingham Dragway October 24-25.

Final Round Results

Stock: Adam Keir, 0.040, 6.529, 97.17, def. Gene Jordan, 0.117, 6.758, 101.10.

Quick Rod: Tony Helms, 0.012, 5.699, 136.40, def. John Dustin, -0.003, 5.713, 131.04.

Super Stock: Bob Cupp, Alexandria, VA (’65 Chevelle above) 0.111, 9.117, 80.37, def. Richard Preaser, Jackson, NJ (’86 Mustang) -0.023, 5.796, 107.66.

Hot Rod: Jeff Heilmeier, Waldorf, MD (’68 Firebird above) 0.012, 7.001, 103.26, def. Michelle Furr, Galax, VA (’68 Camaro) 0.026, 7.006, 101.51.

Top Sportsman: Mike Koontz, Warrenton, VA (’00 S-10) 0.009, 4.767, 147.06, def. Mike Alexander, Sr., Mechanicsville, VA (’63 Corvette) 0.025, 4.908, 141.33.