The Best Of The West Ready For JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals
5/10/2010
Fontana, CA
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JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals 2010

The JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals presented by K&N Filters, which began as a showcase event for recreational drag racers, has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the season for racers in the western United States. The fifth annual event will be held this weekend, May 14-16 at Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., and is expected to attract more than 400 drivers competing in nine eliminators.

Last year’s event provided many dramatic moments as Ed Sigmon ended a winless drought that dated back to the 1960s when he claimed the Comp title, and touring pro Mark Faul won the Super Stock title, reaching his third final round at the event in the last two seasons. In 2008, Faul nearly pulled off a rare feat with a win in Super Stock and a runner-up finish in Stock. Perennial championship contender Thomas Bayer collected the Super Comp title at the 2009 event, and Hollis Colleasure defeated his son-in-law, Brad Pierce, to win in Super Gas. These drivers are all expected to return to defend their titles along with fellow 2009 champions Leo Glasbrenner (Stock), Michael Blodgett (Super Street), Tom Yancer (Top Dragster), Jed Bourquin (Top Sportsman), and John Widmann (Sportsman Motorcycle).

One of the highlights of the event will be the open competition in Top Dragster and Top Sportsman, in which it is common to see racers running in the six-second zone at speeds well in excess of 200 mph. The Top Dragster and Top Sportsman classes have grown so rapidly that they are contested at 13 NHRA national events and all 45 Lucas Oil Series divisional events. The Fontana event will also feature the popular class eliminations for racers in Super Stock and Stock.

The event also marks the second of three races in the ongoing battle for the coveted JEGS Crown. The highly prized but seldom-seen hardware is a special trophy that was handcrafted by Dan Dreisbach of Naked Sculpture, who was the head fabricator at Rahal Letterman Racing. The JEGS Crown is awarded to any driver who can win the same class at two of the three JEGS SPORTSnationals events in one season. The winners of the recent JEGS NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose, La., will have the first crack at the JEGS Crown, and this weekend’s champions will have an opportunity to claim the award later this year at the JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals in Columbus, Ohio (Sept. 24-26).
 
One driver who appears to be well-positioned to win the JEGS Crown is Top Sportsman racer Joe Roubicek. A resident of Westlake Village, Calif., Roubicek ventured to the Cajun SPORTSnationals and drove his ’68 Camaro to the win. Returning to his home state, Roubicek could become just the second racer to earn the JEGS Crown, joining Mike Ashley, who accomplished the feat in 2005.
 
The Pacific SPORTSnationals begins with a test 'n' tune session Thursday, May 13, followed by qualifying and time trials Friday and Saturday, May 14-15. Final eliminations are scheduled for 8 a.m., Sunday May 16.

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