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SHRA Concludes 5th Anniversary Season in Style cont...
Report: Chris Graves
Photos: Chris Graves, Steve Scott, Wes Ramsey
AlkyDigger Nostalgia Eliminator 2 points were tight between the top two contenders as 2015 Champion Bruce Dodson held just a six point lead over Garry Wheeler Jr, who was in his first full season of SHRA competition. Both Dodson and Wheeler made it past first round, but in round two action Wheeler went -.039 red against Jason Scott in the first pair. Dodson, waiting in the staging lanes, knew if he won this round against Stephen Hansen, he would clinch the 2017 title. In that race, Hansen got the starting line advantage, but his 5.16 at 111 mph was no match for Dodson's 5.01 at 134 mph as the title was now in hand.
The beat went on for Dodson as he moved into the final round to take on defending NE 2 Champ Jason Scott. Scott qualified number one with a 5.002 and had eliminated Wheeler and Shootout winner Cameron on his way to the last dance. With no hopes of defending his title, Scott was looking to cap off the season with a win and as the ambers dropped, Dodson's -.007 reaction time told the tale. Scott clicked off a 5.08 at 131 mph in his winning effort to his second win of the season. Scott used his win to move past Wheeler in the standings by just one point for a second place finish, Wheeler with a solid third place finish. Congratulations to your 2017 AlkyDigger Nostalgia Eliminator 2 Champion, his second, Bruce Dodson.
AlkyDigger Nostalgia Eliminator 3 welcomed a packed 15 car field of competitors to the SHRA Finals led by number one qualifier Bobby Bates with a 5.5002. With big points implications on the line, Dustin Bradford, Doug Morrison and Jacob Reeves all stood a solid chance at the 2017 Championship. Bradford held a nine point lead coming in, but an unfortunate first round loss with a 5.557 at 106 mph to Robert Springstead's 5.551 at 119 mph put a big dent in Bradford's title hopes. Morrison and Reeves were in the water box and just watched Bradford bow out in round one. In a pivotal pair, the winner here would have the opportunity to run for the title while the loser would most certainly settle for second or third. Reeves took a slim starting line advantage with a .007 reaction time, but his 5.53 at 121 mph came up just short to Morrison's 5.51 at 118 mph as Morrison marched on and was red hot after his Shootout victory.
Morrison's winning streak continued as he moved past Donnie Walker and Michael Graves to meet first time SHRA finalist Keith Darrow in the final round. Darrow had knocked out Joey Myrick, Bob Scoggins and top qualifier Bobby Bates en route to his first NE 3 final. By this point, Doug Morrison had clinched the 2017 SHRA AlkyDigger Nostalgia Eliminator 3 Championship and was looking to cap off a dream weekend by winning not only the Championship, but also the Shootout and now the event. Darrow didn't make it easy with a .001 reaction time, but Morrison's quicker 5.57 at 111 mph defeated Darrow's 5.60 at 122 mph as Morrison capped off a dominating effort at the SHRA Finals. Congratulations to Morrison and company on one of the most impressive performances in SHRA history and second SHRA NE 3 Championship. Dustin Bradford held on for second and Jacob Reeves will finish third.
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