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FLORIDA'S MIKE LEHMAN SWEEPS UP WINS AT PACIFIC RACEWAYS
WINSTON-SALEM, NC, July 5, 2005 - For Mike Lehman, Seattle may have proven to be his true "home away from home." Lehman traveled clear across the map (from W. Palm Beach, FL) in mid-June to compete at the NHRA divisional event at Pacific Raceways where 6.40 numbers in the fuel category scored him his first Wally award.
Lehman was sufficiently warmed up by then for AHDRA's Kresto Pacific Nationals presented by Destination, Downtown, and Eastside Harley-Davidson dealers. His nearly flawless performance set up his "Seattle Sweep."
In Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel, his 6.458 lap in Saturday's qualifying landed him the #1 spot, while a 6.837 put him on the top of the charts in JIMS Pro Fuel competition for double top-qualifier honors.
On Sunday, he nailed consistent rounds in the 6.50 zone, setting up his Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel win (6.522 at 214.28 mph) over Oregon's Steve Dorn. Lehman also finished with the new MPH record at 205.66 in the eighth-mile.
He stepped out of the six-second margin briefly (7.001) in his opening bye run in JIMS Pro Fuel, but quickly regained his form before his 6.883 at 202.33 mph in the final to beat Canadian Chris Gartman.
Lehman nearly swept all the top marks of the weekend, but North Carolina's Tommy Grimes grabbed the Top Fuel fastest speed on a 219.61 mph lap in Sunday's opening round. #4 qualifier Grimes lost to Lehman in the second round when Lehman scored a 6.508 at 210.83 mph to a 6.626 and another scorching speed of 218.72 mph from Grimes on the Ray Price-Samson Exhaust ride.
While Lehman doubled up on the wins for H-D of W. Palm Beach Racing, others doubled up the team performance for their own rewards.
In S & S Cycle Pro Gas, Mike Lozano of San Antonio, TX, soared through the field for the win and top marks of the weekend at 7.452 and 176.53 mph for the LBP race team. Fellow teammate Doug Ainsworth added more hardware for LBP Racing with a Samson Pro Modified win and record-breaking marks at 8.130 and 162.22 mph.
More double teamed action came from Desert Dawg Racing starring New Mexico riders Wayne Pugh and Greg Krenik.
Krenik finished ahead of points leader Brett DeGood, who redlit in the Rucker Performance Super Gas (9.70 index) final. Pugh took advantage of a redlight from Donnie Huffman for the Screamin' Eagle Performance (11.50 index) win.
Huffman (of Lakeland, FL) later rebounded from that foul to win his champion title class-Performance Corner Super Eliminator (10.90 index).
The San Jose Harley-Davidson race team effort paid off with deuces in the winner's circle. Tommy Loredo launched with a nice .003 reaction and an instant win in Syn3 ET after opponent Dan Norlin lit the red bulb.
Loredo's teammate, Jeff Farnum, received the same gift in S & S Super Sport 10.30 index racing when his opponent, David Hope (class champion), redlit setting up the Farnum-Loredo team celebration.
In other action, top qualifier Cleve McConnell of Shreveport, LA, took out Dan Norlin (making his second final of the meet) in the Drag Masters Hot Street category.
Phil Schmidt of Orangevale, CA, ran big numbers (7.218 at 186.12 mph) in the Kresto Pro Drag field, just barely edging out (but not backing up) the record marks set by Steve Dorn in 2003 at 7.219 and winning over John Breckenridge of Sultan, WA.
East Coaster Dale Raudenbush rode to another victory for Old Glory Racing in the S & S Pro Stock category over Mark Biernbaum, who was unable to keep it fired in the final. Raudenbush had his personal best weekend, leaving with new national records at 7.399 in the quarter-mile and 4.661 in the eighth-mile.
Jeff King of Muscatine, IA, upset the big dogs in G2 Street Pro action-passing a troubled bike piloted by champion Joe Sternotti in the semis and riding by points leader Travis Lummus with rare troubles of his own in the final.
Milwaukee's Jamie McNaughton was trouble-free on his winning Screamin' Eagle V-Rod with a win over Larry Edmondson. McNaughton reset the record ET mark with a 9.382 best at 142.06 mph.
Memphis rider Michael Ray was the #1 qualifier in S & S 124 Challenge racing and finished first in Sunday's final with a win over Californian Robbie McCaa.
The action on the track was part of a meaningful way to benefit children in the Seattle area, as AHDRA proudly welcomed the annual Children's Hospital Ride (which was celebrating its 10th anniversary).
Children's Ride 10 raises funds to help pay for uncompensated care and diabetes research at the Children's Hospital and Regional Center in Seattle. Over 1700 riders thundered in to Pacific Raceways to support this great cause. This year's grand marshals were Paul Yaffe and Arlen Ness, much to the approval of the grandstands.
Local entertaining favorites The Seattle Cossacks led off the show on Sunday as riders enjoyed live entertainment, food, and fantastic racing.
To learn more about Children's Ride 10, visit their website at www.childrens-ride.com.
For more information on the Kresto Pacific Nationals presented by Destination, Downtown, and Eastside H-D dealers, contact 336-924-2095 or visit www.ahdra.com.
Seattle photos provided by Top Fuel Motorsports and Ken Grohs.
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