Keystone Crowned as Team Champions at WDRA Eastern Bracket Finals

September 26, 2023

Racers claimed wins at the first ever WDRA Summit Racing Equipment Eastern Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance on September 14-17, 2023.

Results and photos provided by WDRA

NEW ALEXANDRIA, PA- Keystone Raceway Park hosted the 2023 WDRA Summit Racing Equipment Eastern Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance on September 14-17, 2023. History was made this past weekend, as this was the first ever Eastern Bracket Finals for the newly-formed WDRA sanctioning body. Friday featured numerous Gamblers Races, Golf Cart Race, and the Team Captain’s Race. Saturday also had Gamblers Races and the Box, No Box, Sportsman, and Junior Dragster Bracket Finals main events.

See results below!

Friday Results

Box Gamblers Race

I-64 Motorplex scored the $3,000 Gamblers Box win with Shannon Heaberlin’s victory over Beaver Springs Dragway‘s Steve Lenig. Heaberlin laid down a .002 and .014 over the 5.87 dial while Lenig posted a .006 and .032 over his 5.33 dial.

No Box Gamblers Race

Tony Mattera won the $3,000 No Box Gamblers for Team Maryland International Raceway over Lancaster Motorplex‘s Mason Fix. Mattera was .022 and dead on 5 to Mason’s .021 and .006 under run.

Sportsman Gamblers Race

The home track Keystone Raceway Park got on the board thanks to Kevin Whalen’s win over Beaver Springs Dragway‘s Paul Costley in the Sportsman gamblers race. Whalen was .038 and .042 over his 7.76 dial while Costley missed the tree and had to run .013 under to try and salvage the run.

Motorcycle Gamblers Race

Lancaster Motorplex‘s Mike Peters planted the Lancaster flag in the winner’s circle of the Motorcycle Gamblers race. Peters was .088 and 5.552 on a 5.58 dial on a free run thanks to Beaver Springs Dragway‘s Kevin Twardowski’s red -.015 start.

Junior Dragster Gamblers Race

In an all Maryland International RacewayJunior Gamblers final it was Jordan Denny defeating teammate Kaiden Groves. Denny used a .057 and a .026 over his 8.05 dial to take out Groves who was .111 on the leave and .012 under the 7.90 dial.

Box Race of Champions

I-64 Motorplex rang the bell with a Box Race Of Champions victory from Dwayne Marcum. Marcum used a .008 and a .016 over his 5.28 dial to defeat US 13 Dragway‘s Tommy Ketterman.

No Box Race of Champions

Team Keystone Raceway Park rode the double ROC qualified Scotty Campbell to the winner’s circle. Campbell was running in No Box and Box and got it done in No Box with a .019 and a 6.114 on his 6.12 dial. Lancaster Motorplex‘s Jeff Kerl gave it his best shot with a .013 and a 6.384 on a 6.40 dial.

Sportsman Race of Champions

Lancaster Motorplex put one on the board with Kale Wischman’s win in the Sportsman Race Of Champions. Wischman put up a ,023 .015 over his 7.84 dial to hold off Beaver Springs Dragway‘s Dale Rhoads.

Motorcycle Race of Champions

US 13 Dragway‘s James Farmer claimed the Motorcycle Race Of Champions win over Beaver Springs Dragway‘s Mike Charcalla. Farmer used a .034 and .026 over the 5.71 dial while Charcalla threw down a .008 light in his breakout effort.

Junior Dragster Race of Champions

It was Empire Dragway‘s Nico Giordano winning the Junior Race Of Champions over Maryland’s Peyton Bunch. Nico’s .038 and .05 over an 8.95 dial was what it took. Bunch was right there with a .029 bulb but her .06 over an 8.10 dial wasn’t going to work today.

Golf Cart Race

When you start your weekend by winning $350 in cash and prizes at the WDRA Summit Racing Equipment Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance using the least expensive vehicle in your trailer. Congratulations to Nathan Mendenhall on his Golf Cart Race win!

Team Captain Race

Royce Miller brought home the win in the Team Captain’s Race at the WDRA Summit Racing Equipment Bracket Finals presented by Laris Motorsports Insurance. Host track owner Greg Miller finished as the runner-up and claims to have taken it easy on Royce “the legend” Miller since they have the same last name.

Saturday Results

Box Main Event

Tom Scott was the deciding win that gave Team Keystone Raceway Park their one point victory. Tom was ready with a .036 leave and a dead on 8 but he didn’t need it as US 13 Dragway‘s Tommy Ketterman was -.001 red.

No Box Main Event

Charlie White scored for Team Empire Dragway when he defeated US 13 Dragway‘s Russ Archer. Charlie was .004 and 3 over the 6.50 dial against Archer’s .067 leave and .002 breakout.

Sportsman Main Event

Beaver Springs Dragway‘s Dale Rhoads brought the Sportsman Championship home in an all Beaver Springs final round with a .022 and a 1 over 7.58 run. Beaver teammate Don Metz was .033 and .018 under his 7.60 dial in the finals.

Motorcycle Main Event

Team Beaver Springs Dragway dominated the Motorcycle class and set up an all Beaver Springs final round. Jeff Santin was -.008 red in the final giving a .012 leaving Twardowski the championship.

Junior Dragster Main Event

The Maryland International Raceway juniors were bad to the bone all weekend and it was no suprise to see an all Maryland final round. Gillian Mattera came out on top over teammate Austin Keys. Keys was on the red side of a -.022 light and Mattera laid down a .046 and .008 under flat out victory lap.