TOPMA at North Star Dragway

Text by Celeste Smith ~ Photo by Chris Graves

The weather forecasters were calling for 40% chance of rain on Saturday, Sept 5th but that didn’t stop 12 Pro Mod teams from heading north for the first time this season to North Star Dragway in Denton, TX. After 2 rounds of qualifying, here’s what went down:

#1 Doug Riesterer – 3.988 at 184 mph
#2 Gaylen Smith – 4.000 at 191 mph
#3 Ken Thomas – 4.104 at 183 mph
#4 David Baldwin – 4.337 at 164 mph
#5 Jackie Deaver – 4.419 at 165 mph
#6 Steve Wiley – 4.440 at 160 mph
#7 Kevin Hargett – 4.578 at 164 mph
#8 Chuck Poindexter – 4.698 at 151 mph
#9 Jim Brinkerhoff – 4.714 at 150 mph
#10 John Sheffield – 4.815 at 159 mph
#11 Michelle Wilson – 5.341 at 132 mph
#12 H.T. Wilson – 5.978 at 94 mph


First round: 10:00 PM

David Baldwin (W) 4.333 at 164 mph (.056 RT)
Jackie Deaver (RU) 4.514 at 155 mph (.049 RT)

Slight holeshot adavantage going to the Underdawg’s Revenge but right at the finish line a flash fire lit up on Jackie’s car and David drives around him for the win.

Gaylen Smith (W) 4.464 at 135 mph (.108 RT)
Kevin Hargett (RU) 6.137 at 81 mph (.087 RT)

Kevin was going for the win with the holeshot but it was all over shortly after the hit as the turbocharged mustang encountered traction problems and had to abort the run. Gaylen also had tire shake mid track but had enough momentum going for the win.

Ken Thomas (W) 4.007 at 180 mph (.089 RT)
Steve Wiley (RU) 4.494 at 121 mph (.034 RT)

Steve Wiley at the wheel of Jimmy Hector’s ’63 Vette chops the tree down but gets out of the grove and has to lift. Ken makes his best run of the night and takes the win.

Doug Riesterer (W) 4.448 at 177 mph (.160 RT)
Chuck Poindexter (RU) 4.686 at 150 mph (.119 RT)

Doug had tractions problems but saw Chuck’s Beretta on a nice run in the other lane so he stayed with it (all over the track) and gets the win.

Semi Finals: 11:05 PM

Ken Thomas (W) 4.019 at 184 mph (.043 RT)
Gaylen Smith (RU) 4.018 at 190 mph (.071 RT)

This was a great drag race (and the closest one of the night).

David Baldwin (W) 4.348 at 164 mph (.011 RT)
Doug Riesterer (RU) 6.109 at 91 mph (.113 RT)

David was going for the holeshot win but Doug could not keep the ’68 Camaro stuck to the track and had to abort the run. David made another consistent run and finds himself in the finals facing a tough competitor…..

Finals: 12:05 AM (For all you HATERS out there)

Ken Thomas (W) 4.038 at 179 mph (.073 RT)
David Baldwin (RU) 5.184 at 99 mph (.029 RT)

Once again, David left on his competition but lost traction and had to lift while Ken was making another nice run collecting the win.Congratulations to Ken Thomas and the entire TMS/LenMar Motorsports crew for your victory and also to David Baldwin and the Butler Motorsports crew for your runner-up finish.