A National Record for a Graduation Present

By Deda Clark

Nic Woods, family, and friends.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 22, 2005) -   Nic Woods, the 17 year-old Junior Dragster driver from Buena Park, California, has had a productive couple of days. Last Thursday, this high school senior, graduated. He then loaded into the truck with his family and race car builder John Harden of Houston, TX and headed north to Sacramento Raceway Park forthe Wicked West Coast 330 event.

His good friend Harden had come along on the eight hour drive with the promise of a special graduation present. When queried, Harden admitted that it was a new combination for Woods to try in his alcohol burning, Briggs & Stratton powered, Harden 330 car. That gift would indeed prove special as it translated into a national record. Woods ran a 4.297 second elasped-time, absolutely destroying the old record of 4.423 seconds.

“I cannot tell you how happy I am to have been able to get this win for my family, my friends, and my sponsors. I truly believe that it is the best graduation present a guy could ever get, “an elated Woods explained.

The Wicked 330 Club has both an east coast and a west coast division. This is a national record. The NHRA club has been growing in popularity as more racers choose to participate in “heads-up” racing – there is no dial-in, you run as fast as you can, but only for 330-feet. They use a pro tree and are only restricted by a weight to cubic inch formula.

“No words can express my thanks to everyone that made this such a memorable day. I could not have done it without Grandpa (George Striegel, owner of Clay Smith Cams), Keith and Mallori McCallur, Mark Jaster, Chad Langdon, and of course my Mom (Sherry Striegel, co-owner of Clay Smith Cams), Grannie, and my sister Trayce. We are truly a racing family and always have been,” Woods gushed.

Woods is in his final season of the Junior Dragster class. For the 2006 season, he plans to continue racing, however, he has not yet narrowed down what class he hopes to run.

“It could be Super Gas, Super Street, or Super Comp, we just aren’t sure yet. But Grandpa and I will talk it over. We have all those cars available, it is just a matter of making the right choice,” said Woods.

Woods began racing at the age of 12 and has no plans to slow down any time soon. He expects to participate in the upcoming Wicked 330 event in Denver and will also be racing a Bracket car in NHRA’s Division 7 events. For more information on this up and coming driver, please visit claysmithcams.com