Worldwide Technology Raceway presents Carl’s 4 Wheel Drive and Performance Centers bracket race 9 and 10. Yes it was both wet and wild as the highly anticipated race for the coveted Wally weekend has finally arrived. Mother Nature was not wishing to cooperate with our St. Louis region and unfortunately, we were forced to call bracket 9 after just one round. The rain pushing the Wally race off to Sunday. It never fails to both excite the drivers and turn the pressure way up on those lucky enough to find themselves in a final round for the famed NHRA Wally!!! Here is how it all went down this weekend.
******* SUPER PRO PRESENTED BY: UA LOCAL 562*******
The smile from ear to ear on Terry Kammler’s face as he held his first NHRA Wally high in the air while kissing his wife Cathy. Kammler claimed in the winner’s circle that this was one of the highlights of his racing career. Kammler ran Steve Nord in the finals taking advantage of a 4.546 on a 4.54 dial to defeat Nord who was 4.732 on a 4.72 dial in. Nord had to defeat Greg Sesti (million-dollar man) in the quarter finals to earn himself the bye into the finals at 3 cars. Kammler had to defeat Jeremy Rosenstengel in the quarterfinals and current points leader Steve Pearson in the semifinals to find his way to victory. Great job to Terry on his huge win this weekend!!!
***********************PRO CLASS**********************
Everybody in the Pro class knows that when you start getting to race 8,9,10,11,12, you had better be aware of where back-to-back champion John Tignor is at. John has made a habit of super strong finishes in his pro class championships. Although Danny Ratulowski most likely has an insurmountable lead this year, Tignor is getting hot at just the right time as usual. John defeated wile veteran racer Doug Graf to take home his 4thcareer Wally on Sunday. Tignor had 25 on the tree and the 2 distinctive whoops you heard at the finish line sealed the deal for Tignor. Everyone know that that Malibu is known for being deadly consistent. Graf took out Steve Zeuner in the semi- finals to earn his spot in the finals. Tignor took out Linus Ripperda in the quarterfinals to earn the bye to the finals. Congratulations to John on the great run.
**********VP RACING LUBRICANTS SPORTSMAN *********
A family dream come true. The all Albietz final with a Wally on the line. Luke Albietz already has the family fireplace mantle decorated with 2 Wally’s of his own. He was looking to make it a third. Doug Albietz, who has zero Wally’s to date, had other plans to be the owner this particular 2024 Wally. The two Albietz pulled to the line, Luke in his 1998 white Corvette and Doug in his (borrowed from daughter) white 1993 Corvette with mom and wife Sherry watching on at the starting line. The usual starting line staging duel took place (Luke will never go in first, even against Dad), Doug took advantage of a .022 starting line reaction time and turned that into a win with Luke breaking out by one number… Old guy rule!!! Luke took out Cohlen Hale in the quarterfinals and the other Luke, Luke Beach in the semi-finals. Doug took out Jim Pearson in the quarterfinals and newcomer Vickie Kline in the semi-finals. Congratulations to Doug Albietz on your first Wally and 3rd family Wally. Quite the accomplishments.
****SCHWARTZ LAW GROUP S/PRO BIKE POWERED BY COMMERCIAL SAFE & LOCK****
Exciting huge turnout for the bike class Sunday. Shout out to Charles Willis and Janie Palm and Phillip Humphry who continue to work their tail off to continue to grow these classes. Long time racer Bob Moran used his years of experience to outlast the competition taking home the Wally Sunday. Moran used his .028 reaction time with a one over the 9.24 dial in to defeat Jeremy Murphy. Murphy was a 9.342 on a 9.34 dial in but it was just not quite enough to get past Moran. It was certainly going to be Moran’s day. Murphy beat Joe Klemme in the semi-finals and Moran bear Thomas Cole in the quarterfinals to earn their way into the race for the Wally. Great job to all racers.
************ JR THUNDER AND JR LIGHTNING************
In the jr lighting class Cohlen Hale was able to defeat Lilly Kinne. Hale was able to drop down a .009 light then drop to 3 over on the top end to defeat Kinne. Kinne put up quite the fight as she was one over the dial in still good up front but just got clipped at the stripe in a very close race. Kinne defeated Sarah Stewart in the quarterfinals and Sara Stochl in the semi-finals to find her way to the finals. Hale had to best Karson Elkins in the quarters and Tori Nolan in the semi-finals to secure his finals victory over Kinne. Great job kids.
In the jr thunder class, Stetsun Taylor was able to go a .009 red to the Jacob Phillips .037 red to secure the victory. Everyone knows they have to push that tree hard when there is a NHRA Wally on the line. Again, great job kids!!!!!
