Williams Leads Winners at NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Shelby Williams took her stocker to the winners circle for her first National event victory at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals.

SONOMA, CA – Shelby Williams headlines the weekend at the NHRA Sonoma Nationals with her win in Stock Eliminator. This was her first ever National event win, but the meaning behind it made it all a little bit sweeter.

Williams has been a force to be reckoned with on the bottom bulb, so it was to no surprise seeing her in the winners circle. The car she drove was the car that both Justin Lamb and the late Kyle Seipel won their first Stock Eliminator National event Wally in. Sonoma is also Seipel’s racetrack.

Joining Shelby in the winners circle were Ralph Van Paepegham (Comp), Mike Loge (SS), Marko Perivolaris (SC), Kevin Griffiths (SG), Dan Borg (TS), and John Richardson (TD).

Read the race recap below to meet the winners!

2021 NHRA Sonoma Nationals

Competition Eliminator

Ralph Van Paepegham defeated Tony Mandella to pick up his first National event Wally after five prior runner-ups. Mandella’s problems in the round prior were terminal, giving Van Paepegham the easy final round victory. He was .046 on the tree and went a 7.345 at 158 mph.

Brad Brewer and Doug Lambeck were the semi-finalists.

Stock Eliminator

Shelby Williams defeated world champion Justin Lamb in the final round to collect her first National event Wally. Williams had the starting line advantage, .014 to .036, and ran dead on her 10.58 dial-in with a zero to cruise to the winners circle.

Leo Glasbrenner was the semi-finalist.

Super Stock

Mike Loge collected his fourth National event Wally after defeating Dennis Paz in the final round. What a race! Two double 00 lights, .001 to .005, with Loge running three above his 11.12 dial-in to win the race. He ran a 11.154 at 114 mph.

Eric Bell was the semi-finalist.

Super Comp

Marko Perivolaris defeated Phil Nagel to take home his fifth National event Wally. Perivolaris had the starting line advantage, .016 to .047, and on the double breakout ran closer to the 8.90 index. He ran a 8.896 at 188 mph.

Beau Hicks was the semi-finalist.

Super Gas

Kevin Griffiths took home his first National event Wally after defeating Ryan Giacone in the final round. Griffiths had the starting line advantage, .007 to .042, and ran a 9.899 at 144 mph to cruise to victory.

Marko Perivolaris was the semi-finalist.

Top Dragster

John Richardson defeated Paul Nero to take home his second National event Wally. Richardson had the starting line advantage, .003 to .015, and ran a 6.119 at 209 mph on his 6.10 dial-in. Nero broke out.

Brian Hough and Dan Naylor were the semi-finalists.

Top Sportsman

Dan Borg was quicker on the tree and first to the finish line to take home his first National event win after defeating Ed Olpin in the final round. Borg had the starting line advantage, .034 to .040, and ran a 6.813 at 196 mph on his 6.78 dial-in.

Ken Ratzloff and Dean Hall were the semi-finalists.

Megan Bohannon is a 24 year old Super Comp racer from Louisville, Kentucky. She races a 2015 American Dragster with a 648 Oakley Motorsports Engine. Growing up at the racetrack, drag racing is all she has known and never plans to give up on it. Megan works with TB Promotions in promoting their races and keeping entries straight, as well as keeping their social media pages updated.

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com

You can reach Megan on Facebook or email at megan@dragchamp.com