Race Recap

Pro Truck Nationals (PTN) kicked off the 2011 300’ sand drag racing season at the IOK 4-Wheelers Grounds in Cleves, OH on May 20-21. Grand Haven, MI’s Kip Martin picked up right where he left off in 2010, right in the winner’s circle. Martin, who won the 2010 Season Finale, pulled off one of the most dominating Pro Truck performances seen to date. Kip qualified in the #1 spot by Reaction Time with a great .409 RT (.400 Perfect) before slicing through the field to face off with fellow Michigander Lee Reynders, of Grand Rapids, in the final round. Both racers had nearly identical Reaction Times, but at the stripe Martin was able to run closer to his Index with a 3.836 on a 3.80. Kip’s second overall PTN Pro Truck class victory has definitely established himself as the man to beat in Pro Truck this season.

The always unpredictable heads-up Pro Outlaw FE class lived up to its billing in Cleves. The supercharged entries of Brian McWethy & Josh Stephens were the pre-race favorites, but parts breakage kept both from it to eliminations. This opened the door for Kathy Ellington’s Black Widow Altered from Marysville, OH to take the top qualifying spot with a 3.391/95mph blast. Eliminations would wind down to a final round match up between #1 qualifier Ellington & #2 qualifier Dan Wies from New Melle, MO with his potent Wies Racing N/A small block Chevy-powered Altered. This would be the best race of the night in this class as Ellington’s Nitrous fed power would propel her to a close win with a 3.328/94mph blast over Wies’ game 3.396/96mph run. This was Kathy’s first PTN Pro Outlaw FE class victory & top qualifying effort.

3.5 Index has become one of the most competitive categories in PTN competition, and the Season Opener in Cleves would be no different. 2010 class champion Dan Wies/Wies Racing would be forced into a 3.494 break out by PTN organizer Rich Simon’s 3.64 for the win. This would open the door for someone new to take the early season points lead. Two veterans of 3.5 Index action would be ready to pounce as the final round set up between John Dreher’s nitrous fed Dreher Race Cars Altered from Wentzville, MO against Ben Dozeman’s supercharged Bad Company Jeep from Hudsonville, MI. Both of these racers are multiple time 3.5 Index class winners, so we knew it would be a great battle. Both racers had nearly identical Reaction Times, but it would be the nitrous power of Dreher holding off Dozeman for a 3.57 to 3.64 victory. This would be the Dreher Race Cars team’s third PTN 3.5 Index class victory as they take the early season points lead.

The weekend saw a healthy dose of racing in many other bracket classes. Michigan’s Steve Ewing would hold off Missouri’s JR Dreher for the Quick 8 Pro ATV title & early season points lead. This was also the same outcome as Friday night’s Pro ATV class. Steve’s son, Matt, also of Shocker Racing, was the big winner in the ATV sportsman tree category as he defeated fellow Michigander Brad Adams in the final round. Other winners on the weekend included Casey Kaiser (Ironman), Justin Dees (Bracket 1), Jamie Schiff (Bracket 2), Bennett Dozeman (Peewees), and Cody Gum (Juniors).

Final Results

Pro Truck
Kip Martin, Grand Haven, MI - 3.836/77MPH (3.80) def. Lee Reynders, Grand Rapids, MI - 4.310/73MPH (4.20).

Pro Outlaw FE
Kathy Ellington, Marysville, OH - 3.328/94.64MPH def. Dan Wies, New Melle, MO - 3.396/96.77MPH.

3.5 Index
John Dreher, Wentzville, MO - 3.570/78.04MPH def. Ben Dozeman, Hudsonville, MI - 3.645/91.41MPH.

Quick 8 Pro ATV
Steve Ewing, Byron Center, MI - 4.346/72.64MPH def. JR Dreher, Foristell, MO - 4.401/71.02MPH.

Points

Pro Truck
1. Kip Martin, Grand Haven, MI - 31 Points; 2. Lee Reynders, Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Points; 3. Mike Page, Grand Haven, MI - 17 Points; 4. Brent Lokker, West Olive, MI - 16 Points; 5. Ben Dozeman, Hudsonville, MI - 13 Points.

Pro Outlaw FE
1. Kathy Ellington, Marysville, OH - 29 Points; 2. Dan Wies, New Melle, MO - 20 Points; 3. Rich Simon, New Baltimore, MI - 11 Points; 4. (Tie) Brian McWethy, Kalamazoo, MI - 5 Points; 4. (Tie) Curtis Combs, Hamilton, OH - 5 Points.

3.5 Index
1. John Dreher, Wentzville, MO - 25 Points; 2. Ben Dozeman, Hudsonville, MI - 15 Points; 3. Ron Curtis, China, MI - 13 Points; 4. Rich Simon, New Baltimore, MI - 10 Points; 5. Kathy Ellington, Marysville, OH - 6 Points.

Quick 8 Pro ATV
1. Steve Ewing, Byron Center, MI - 17 Points; 2. JR Dreher, Floristell, MO - 14 Points; 3. (Tie) Brian Snikeris, Elwood, IL - 12 Points; 3. (Tie) Kevin Persinger, Liberty, IN - 12 Points.

2011 PTN SPONSORS:
Richards Auto Parts
VP Racing Fuels
Monroe Shock Absorbers
Dart Machinery
AMSOil
Auto Meter Products
Deka Batteries
Earl’s Products
Goodyear Gatorback Belts
Holley Performance Products
Power Plus
Super-Flite Oil
Wood River Auto Parts
Ambs Auto Clinic
ATVDragRacers.com
Brownlee Distributing Co.
DeLeeuw Lumber
Hudsonville Bulk Bin
J&P Auto Electric
JD Small Engine Repair
Motor State Distributing
Ross Abraham Builder
Wies Racing
Risher Nash Motorsports
*Sponsorship packages are still available. Contact tom@protrucknationals.com to inquire.*