Tournament for local bracket racers takes place within NHRA Midwest Nationals
September 29, 2022, St. Louis – For them, it is the opportunity to perform on the big stage in front of the year’s biggest crowd. For decades, local bracket racers have been the backbone of the sport, supporting their home tracks week-in, week-out. But sometimes they’re relegated to spectator status when the big show comes to town. And so World Wide Technology Raceway’s King of the Arch tournament was born.
The King of the Arch tournament is a special event held during the annual NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series national event at WWTR. Like the track’s Carl’s 4WD & Performance Center E.T. Bracket Series, there are seven classes: Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Willis Racing Pro Motorcycle, Jr. Dragster Thunder, Jr. Dragster Lightning, and the Ranken Technical College presents High School class.
It is their time to shine. Drivers and riders will tow in from familiar locales: St. Louis, Granite City, Fairmont City, Wentzville, Washington, Florissant, and House Springs, to name a few. They will compete on the very same track as the world’s fastest professional drag racers, including John Force, Antron Brown and Erica Enders. There will be time trials, elimination rounds, special trophies, and the traditional victory lane photographs. The first round of eliminations will take place on Friday.
First-round matchups:
Super Pro
Champion Dennis Pearson vs. Steve Pearson
Greg Sesti vs. Brian Spillars
Tim Foley vs. Matt Moon
Tommy Barbero vs. Brian Cook
Pro
Joe Renaud vs. Dan Harris Sr.
Matt Lewis vs. Carl Hendrixson
Byron Kinne vs. Mike Ratulowski
Jeremy Rosenstengel vs. Aaron Koehler
Sportsman
Champion Craig Powell vs. Jim Bouckaert
Luke Albietz vs. Kyle Jennings
Neil Goin vs. Mike Davis
Steve Zeuner vs. Jim Pearson
Willis Racing Pro Motorcycle
Champion DeAndre Lewis vs. Chris Hunter
Brandon Childress vs. Phil Humphrey
Zach Hunter vs. Rob Helem
Scott Leonard vs. Eric Lewis
Ranken Technical College presents High School class
Champion David Breuer vs. Hailey Rice
Kennedy Hale vs. Bobby Ruppel
Sam Stewart vs. Sam Rowling
Camden Tallman vs. Allison Henry
Jr. Dragster Lightning
Champion Cohen Hale vs. Brent Wagner
Jacob Wyman vs. Emma Wyman
Sam Stewart vs. Sarah Stewart
Kennedy Hale vs. Lilly Kinne
Jr. Dragster Thunder
Champion Cayden Duell vs. Mia Rybarski
Jacob Phillips vs. Ellie Ritter
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals
The world’s quickest and fastest race cars have arrived at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, for this weekend’s NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals. The series’ premier classes are Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car, powered by nitromethane-burning 12,000-horsepower engines that rocket the cars from a standing start to more than 330 miles per hour in less than four seconds.
Every ticket is a pit pass and fans are encouraged to meet their favorite drivers. Attractions include the manufacturers midway, interactive displays and a classic car show. Spectator gates will open each day at 8 a.m.
Some of the world’s biggest names in professional drag racing will compete this weekend, including:
- Five-time WWTR winner and three-time NHRA champion Antron Brown (Top Fuel Dragster).
- Three-time WWTR Top Fuel Dragster winner Steve Torrence, a four-time NHRA champion.
- Legendary Funny Car pilot John Force, a 16-time champion with three WWTR wins.
- Five-time WWTR Pro Stock winner Erica Enders (four NHRA crowns).
- Two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Ron Capps (four WWTR final-round wins).
Tickets may be purchased at the WWTR ticket office, by phone at (618) 215-8888, or online at www.wwtraceway.com. Kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult in select sections. Although they are admitted free, each child must have a ticket. (Please call the ticket office for details.)
Friday, September 30
7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.
8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. – Sportsman qualifying.
4 p.m. – Pro Mods.
6 p.m. – Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.
7 p.m. – Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.
Fireworks immediately after the final pair of Top Fuel cars, followed by a concert by country music artist Tim Dugger.
Saturday, October 1
7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.
8 a.m. – Sportsman eliminations.
12:30 p.m. – Pro Mod qualifying.
1:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.
2:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.
3:45 p.m. – Pro Mods.
4:30 p.m. — Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock Car qualifying.
5:30 p.m. — Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car qualifying.
Sportsman eliminations continue until approximately 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 2
7:30 a.m. – Parking lots open.
8 a.m. – Spectator gates open.
9:30 a.m. – Pre-race ceremonies.
10:30 a.m. – First round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.
12:45 p.m. – Second round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.
2:15 p.m. – Third round of Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car eliminations.
3:30 p.m. – Final round of eliminations.
4 p.m. – Victory lane celebration.
About World Wide Technology Raceway
World Wide Technology Raceway (WWTR) is the only track in the world to host the premier series of NASCAR, INDYCAR, and NHRA . Located just five minutes from downtown St. Louis and covering more than 600 acres, WWTR is the largest outdoor entertainment facility in the area. WWTR’s facilities include a 1/4-mile drag strip, 1.25-mile superspeedway, 2.0-mile road course, the Gateway Kartplex (a state-of-the-art karting facility), and the adjacent Gateway National Golf Links. WWTR and owner Curtis Francois have been recognized with several awards, including: 2021 Comcast Community Champion of the Year; 2021 Jack Buck Award; 2020 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Track Award; 2018 Innovator Award from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission; 2017 Outstanding Facility of the Year Award from the Race Track Business Conference; and the 2017 Spirit of St. Louis Award from the St. Louis Attractions Association.
Our mission: We are committed to making a difference in our community, while providing first-class entertainment and memories that last a lifetime.
