Gadson and DME’s Teasley Take 2 in Virginia

Friday night rain took out the first qualifying session for the Xtreme Dragbike Association’s (XDA) MTC Engineering Summer Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. However Saturday, the worst day forecast, turned out to be a clear day of racing. Sunday? Sunday was very good indeed.

Jeremy Teasley on the DME Pro Street bike

Especially for DME Racing’s Jeremy Teasley, who won Orient Express Racing Pro Street against rival Rodney Williford in the final. Rodney qualified #1 with a 6.699.

Teasley also won the $5000 HTP Performance Grudge Pro Extreme race on DME’s Kool-Aid against Chris Moore on Cash is King. It was a battle between what are widely regarded as the two quickest turbo grudge ‘Busas on the planet. Moore and Cash is King came into the race as winners of NHDRO’s $13,000 grudge race in Atlanta.

Richard Gadson

Richard Gadson won Pro Liter on Dead Man, beating Jaques Gaskins on Soldier of Fortune in the final.

Richard Gadson on the “Crusher”

Lil’ Rich followed that up with the Vance & Hines 4.60 win on the “Crusher” over Tim Shelton in the final. Alan Fields qualified #1 with a 4.602

On Saturday Mike Thyen won the special 4.60 Big Money Shootout—a $500 to enter, $4,000 winner take all race among eight riders that took place during qualifying.

John Fernandez

John Fernandez won the Pro Nitrous grudge race on Under the Influence against Teasley on Grave Digger.

Eddie Chapman

Eddie Chapman won DME Racing Real Street against #1 qualifier (7.789) Spencer Claycomb.

Wilson Burkhead

Wilson Burkhead won Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels Top Sportsman against “Sargent” George Shriver. Ryan Bonitatis qualified #1 with a 7.603

On Sunday night when sportman finals were running, a storm came in and ended the event with four classes not completed.

The FBR Shop 5.60 class was one of the four categories that didn’t get to finish when the rain came in. Number one qualifier Duane Jackson took a second-round loss to Stephen Knight who was one of the five racers still left in the class. Boo Brown, Shayne Proctor, Spencer Claycomb and Freddy Frazier also still had a chance for a victory before mother nature broke loose on the track. But these sportsmen will be back in Maryland next month ready for another attempt at victory.

Shinko Tires Crazy 8’s class left several heavy hitters dismayed over losing the chance for a win. Teasley, Claycomb, and Fred Reid were still standing after the quarterfinal round. Teasley was about to get a bye in the semi-final to ensure himself a final round finish against Claycomb or Reid. They will have to settle for another chance at a win next month at the WPGC Bike Fest.

Dana Mack

In Brock’s Performance Street ET, Dana Mack was the man to beat on Saturday. Not only did Mack win Street ET, but he also took the runner-up finish in MPS Pro ET giving him 14 round wins in two classes. Mack faced off in the final against Pablo Gonzalez who was always the first bike in the lanes when the class was called. Unfortunately for team Puerto Rico, Gonzalez cut his first bad light of the day against Mack, giving away the starting line advantage and the win.

This was Dana Mack’s first Street ET win, and also his first-time racing at VMP. On Sunday Gonzalez went on to win four rounds of Pro ET. Both Mack and Gonzalez will be back in August ready to battle it out for another win.

Dale Hamilton

Big Dale Hamilton is always a fierce competitor and this year is no exception with two wins under his belt before coming into the MTC Summer Nationals. In MPS Racing Pro ET Hamilton proved you should never back down. After taking a first-round loss to Fred Reid, he bought back in and went on to win 7 rounds of competition to take the win over Mack. With that $40 gamble, Hamilton earned himself a $3,000 payday on Saturday. Hamilton had also won 4 rounds of competition on Sunday before the rain came in and ended the event.

photos by Terrence Belton, story by XDA and Tim Hailey