Race Recap for 5-2-26 VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads-Up Mafia and Bikes.

Last Updated on May 5, 2026 by WWTR

Photos by Keke Lipford

Chilly start to the day, and in standard STL fashion a quick littering of rain to start the day. WWTR staff got the surface dried and reprepped to hit our planned 10 a.m. start. Racers were packed in with excitement to get things kicked off. Great showing from everyone and it was awesome to see everyone again.

First off, in the Gangsta 28s class, it was Steve Richards, of De Soto, MO, taking the win over Austin Wasson. Wasson had the starting line advantage, but Richards was able to drive past him by the 1/8^th mile finish line to take home the first victory of the 2026 season.

The ever-popular Small Tire Limited class drew a 5.10 chip for the day, so that is the cap that everyone was shooting for. In the end, it was Jason Hoard, in his “Doom” Fox Body Mustang taking the victory over previous champion Corey Phillips. Both racers were close to the 5.10 cap, but Hoard had the reaction time advantage and got to the finish line first to take home the win. It is worth noting that racers were all over the 5.10 cap for the day, with Jon Miller in his stick shift mustang taking the #1 qualifying spot with a 5.108 on the 5.10 cap.

New for the 2026 season, the Streetcar class has been split into three “cap” classes. First off, it was Dan Siatz of Union, MO, taking the victory with an 8.644 over the 2025 Streetcar Champion, Kyle “Gator” Ciborowski in the Outlaw Street 8.60 Class.

In the Street Warrior 9.50 Class, it was Doug Linton, in his 1976 Chevy Monza, taking the victory over a red-lighting Jared Kirchoff in the final. Jared was unable to hold on the line and jumped the start, handing Doug the easy victory.

Last up was the Real Street 10.75 class, it was Shaun Manley and his 2018 Mustang getting the victory over Rodger Thompson and his 2002 Camaro. Reaction times were nothing to write home about for either racer, but Manley got to the finish line first with a 10.866 to defeat Thompson’s 10.897.

Next up of the classes was a trial run of some 1/8^th mile index classes. In the 6.0 Index class, Doug Linton completed the double up and got his second win of the day by defeating Jake Bass. Linton ran 6.128 on the 6.0 Index, lifting early to defeat Bass’s off pace 6.478. Impressive for a first-time class, it is worth noting that Linton also opened the day and on the first run of the class, ran a perfect 6.000 on the 6.00 Index.

In the 7.0 Index class, it was a father-son final round, with Dennis Pearson taking the victory over long-time St. Louis Legend Steve Pearson. Reaction times on the starting line were a toss-up, but Dennis’s 7.038 was closer to the 7.00 Index than Steve’s 7.042.

TOTAL PAYOUTS FOR THE RACE WERE ALMOST $5,300 in CASH to the Gateway Heads-Up Mafia Racers!!! These payouts couldn’t be possible without the support of all the class sponsors: Integrity Tattoo, Carter Motorsports/Extreme Detail, AC Towing, CBI Street Cars, B&B Kustoms, Neighborhood Service, A-Rod’s Body Shop, Superior Home Remodeling, Mid-Mo Drywall, Street Team Automotive, Detroit Battery Company, Wicks Aircraft Supply, HPJ Performance, Midwest Waffle House, Keizer Race Wheels, McCrossan Motorsports and Mifflin Racing.

New to the VP Racing Lubricants Gateway Heads-Up Mafia and Bikes program for the 2026 season was the addition of TRG Motorsports 7.90 Index Jr. Dragsters. In the final, it was Grant Reichardt of Festus, MO taking the win over Michael Mudro of St. Louis, MO. Mudro went .019 red in the final, handing the victory over to Reichardt and his 7.915 elapsed time in the final round. Not to be outdone, it is worth noting that Grant’s brother, Mason Reichardt, was the #1 qualifier in the class with a perfect 7.900 run during qualifying. The TRG Motorsports 7.90 Index Jr. Dragster class is brought to you by Thoroughbred Realty Group, Phine Designs Auto Accessories and Tint, Mid-Mo Drywall, UpRight Construction, King Coatings, Full Service Automotive, and Quicktime Motorsports.

In the Phil’s Plumbing Service & Repair Street Bike class, it was 2025 Super Comp Motorcycle Champion, Scott Leonard, taking the win over Janie Palm. Scotty had the reaction time advantage, with a near perfect .003 light in the final round and was able break out by less in the double breakout final round affair.

Last up on the classes was the Garrison Security Group 8.90/9.20 Motorcycle Challenge, powered by J&J Design, L-Squared Racing, and RPM Specialties. Brandon “Bean” Childress took home the victory over Dylan “Ace” Willey. This race all came down to the starting line and with Childress having the reaction time advantage, his 8.993 on the 8.90 Index was enough to take the win over Willey’s 9.293 on the 9.20 Index.