The annual AMRA Jim McClure Memorial Finals is the biggest Harley-Davidson drag racing event on the planet, and gas-fueled classes form the bulk of competition. High performance American V-Twin power filled the Rockingham Dragway lanes and thrilled the fans of Harley culture that packed the legendary venue’s stands.

Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger and Thundermax Street Bagger

When it comes to gas burners, Baggers are the poster bikes for growth and excitement. So it’s stunning that the ultra-competitive Zipper’s Performance Pro Bagger and Thundermax Street Bagger classes were both won by one guy—Illinois racer Nick Boey

Boey was qualified way down in fifth in Pro Bagger with an 8.11 at 176. That was way behind Midwest Grudge legend “Money Mike” Studebaker on the new Jeremy Wilson “Phoenix” build’s 7.73 at 184. Behind Studebaker was North Carolina Grudge legend “Burnout Bruce” Emanuel (7.78/184), followed by Justin Demery (7.79/181) and “Flamethrower Frederick” Beaulieu’s (featured photo at the top) 8.04 at 173. All of these bikes are turbo-fed monsters.

Studebaker dropped a 7.59 at188 in eliminations, but destroyed a tire in the process and failed to find a suitable replacement. “Track prep was on point, but after chucking a tire we rushed to find one and getting it changed, only to find out it was a four year old tire,” said Wilson. “We sealed our fate and lost in the semifinals, spinning, which ended our weekend.

“Couldn’t be happier with around 13-14 passes on the new build. Thanks to everyone who helped and support us—Murray Performance, Axtell, JE, and MTC.

“Mike Studebaker did awesome riding. He came from the sportbike world and now he’s hooked on these V-twins.”

“What a weekend!!” said Studebaker. “First off, I want thank Jeremy Williamson for putting me on that bad ass machine he built. We ran our best time on the bike this weekend!! First Harley race ever been to. Had a blast. Met a lot of people. Can’t thank Chad Garriott, Ed and Arnold enough for going with me and helping.”

With Studebaker out, the ultra-confident Burnout Bruce was left as the natural favorite. But his Scott Williams’ chrome blue turbo Bagger “Elite Diesel” broke a rocker arm in the semi and was unable to make the call to the final.

With that, Nick Boey was able to just motor down the track for the Pro Bagger win. “We fought tough competition all year,” said Boey. “Everyone pushed us to go faster and work harder. This was our first year competing in this class for the whole season and it was not easy. Maintenance on these bikes can become extensive and my dad Brian always made sure the bike was ready for the next round.”

Enough so that Boey was also able to blow past points leader Bert Baker for the class championship. “We may not have had the fastest bike out there but it was extremely consistent and always showed up when we needed it. Consistency won us this championship.

“This bike is equipped with many items from the VTP catalog, as well as pistons, heads, and cam from Bone Breaker performance. Truly a great combination.”

Boey wasn’t finished winning. Drop the power-adders and whatnot and you’ve got Thundermax Street Baggers.

Boey qualifier number one this time around with a 9.51 at 147, while season performance and points leader Jimmy Maikranz sat last.

“Coming into the weekend we were only trailing by a few points for the championship,” said Boey. “As always, we knew it would be a tough competition having to race Jimmy and Mutant Motors by Wolf.”

That would be Texas street bagger guru Wolfgang Grasser, who builds and tunes the bikes raced by Maikranz, Jeff Boudreaux and David “Paco” Cartwright.

“We ended up going a personal best of 9.28 in the semifinals and winning the event,” continued Boey. Seems like enough to win the championship, right? Even if Maikranz runner-upped—which he did (Boey won.123 to .172, 9.40 at 145 to 9.56/145). “Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as Jimmy set two national records to pull away with the championship.

“Chris Goerdt, Marc Fricke, and my dad Brian Boey worked endlessly on this bike this whole season to give us a competitive bike against very good competition. Chris built an insane motor using everything we could from the VTP catalog and it proved to be a winner.”

Grasser and his team—including Maikranz—are used to winning, but this season was a trying one. “2025 started different and remained frustrating for the duration of the season,” said Wolf. “New components and methods created unintended issues, resulting in a less than stellar performance for the Mutant Motors by Wolf team.

“Fortunately the issues were resolved for Rockingham round one eliminations, and Jimmy made a potential record MPH pass which he followed up with a round two bye that secured the MPH record and the ET record, becoming the 2025 Amra Street Bagger champion and solidifying the moniker ‘Sandbagger.’

“In addition to fighting with the number one during 2025, the MMBW group achieved several team milestones. Jeff Boudreaux won his first national event at National Trail Raceway. Olen Miller qualified no.two at Rockingham. Doug Lynch ran his first 9 second pass (9.81), which was quickest the bike has gone to date.

“Our fourth consecutive AMRA Street Bagger national championship could not be possible without everyone involved sharing the load and our sponsors: Mutant Motors by Wolf, Wood Performance, VP Racing, Axtell, Baker Drivetrain, Zipper’s, Polydyn, Mom and Pop Boudreaux, Meg and Chris Mann, TJ Hicks, and Frank Dodd. Special mentions to Evadale Raceway and The Mic Stand.”

Pro Outlaw

Atlanta racer Dwayne “Don’t call me Ghee” Gee pilots his turbo Bagger against bagless turbo bikes like that of Charley Douglass and normally aspirated wheelie bar Pro Modifieds like Billy Doherty’s in Pro Outlaw.

Lake Charles H-D dealer Doherty came into this event with the points lead, but that wouldn’t last through the weekend. By the time Gee beat number one qualifier Douglass in the Rockingham final, he’d also powered around Doherty in points

“Great season with AMRA!” said Gee. “Going into the last (I was) race second in points in two classes. In Pro Outlaw on Pumpkin 2.0, we were able to take home the win for the event and squeak by Billy Dougherty for the championship.

“Brook’s Cycle Service built a heck of a machine. It’s one of the fastest baggers on the planet. The personal best of 7.74 in Rockingham was improved on a week later in Louisiana with a 7.70 at 191mph and a 7.66 at 189mph. We feel like we can line up with any Outlaw bike in the series. The potential is a lot better than these numbers.

“The Pro Bagger ‘Cherry’ got taken out second round in Rockingham when my primary chain broke at about 300 feet out. Dropped to third in points but ran a personal best on the bike in testing—8.33. Pretty happy with third considering we missed a race due to having vertigo.”

These bagger performances are making my head spin too!

Axtell Cylinders Hot Street

Jason Crisp spins heads without the bags on his Axtell Cylinders Hot Street bike. This new build has dominated the 2025 season before sweeping number one qualifier and the win at The Rock.

“We showed up to Rockingham with our fingers crossed for good weather all weekend,” said Crisp. “Having been rained out on Sunday at the last two events definitely sucked and was in the back of everyone’s minds, I would imagine.

“But the weather was looking great, especially for going fast! So our concern was resetting my record again, winning the event and capping off the year undefeated.

“Saturday started good with an 8.60 off the trailer in first round of qualifying. Second round came and I ran a 8.57! Finally back in the 8.5s with our stock case 124 twin cam! I believe that will be the new ET record and MPHh record will be 153mph. Third round of qualifying was cancelled for getting late and cold.

“Sunday came around, pretty much same weather as Saturday, maybe a little cloudier. Given the cooler conditions all weekend, the track was the stickiest I’ve ever seen! Didn’t matter where you lined up, you hooked up! I believe that was slightly slowing me down through the 330.

“We actually struggled all weekend with our 60 foot times. But, we had no issues running fast Sunday and ran three 8.61 passes on our way to the event win and championship.”

That final round win came at the expense of number three qualifier Todd Young, who redlit.

“Back to back Hot Street national champion and own every record in Hot Street!” continued Crisp. “Couldn’t do it without my father. He puts in a lot of time on my race bike’s, always has! Also have to thank the rest of my family for their involvement in making me successful.

“Dan Daffner of Axtell cylinders, Joe Huegle, Law Tiger’s, Evolution Industries, Wes Brown of Cycle Rama, Jimmy Light at HPI, Cullen Gillis, Bam Lifter’s, Travis Hess for the amazing paint job, Clayton Danford, Pro Action suspension, Full Spectrum batteries, RC Components, Darkhorse Crank Works, CP Pistons, Ferrea Valves, Pac racing springs, R&D Transmission, Steve Cole at TTS, and anyone else I may have forgotten—thank you!”

Zipper’s Performance Modified

Similarly to Crisp, Kimberly DeShields came into Rockingham as the Zipper’s Performance Modified points leader and left as number one qualifier (8.97 at 143), winner, and champion.

The final pitted DeShields against wily veteran Gary Douglass. Kim took the tree .021 to .038 and outran Douglass 8.72/148 to 9.16 at 1141.

“My family would like me to give a big, huge thanks to the Motormania Youtube channel for connecting everyone together, that is all over the country, to watch me race,” said DeShields. “Thank you Clayton Danford and Danford Brothers Racing (Kevin Danford, Bill Harper, Dan Bennet) for building a well-tailored machine for me to pilot this year.

“We had the championship locked up before The Rock, but the team had been collecting data for the World Finals all year. We knew some heavy hitters would show up and wanted the best chance at the fastest race of the year.

“The team did a gear change and new pipe that got fitted around me to keep me comfortable. Off the trailer Friday it went 8.79 at150 mph That was My first eight second pass! The whole team needed that after all the hard work all year.

They kept the bike in tip-top shape all weekend and we reset all four ends of the Modified record.

“The race team is so supportive. They make sure I am safe on every pass. Even Licia Danford rides with me every pass.

“Thank you Dan Daffner, Axtell Cylinders and R&D machine He supplied a lot of parts and knowledge to this program all year. Darcy Performance, Backwoods performance, Water Tower Cranks. DBR Fab. We are so happy to have them in my corner. Thanks to Rebel Gears and LadiesSchnitz Racing. I would like to thank  The Rock for doing a great job. And AMRA and crew for hosting another great event.”

Top Eliminator 9.30

York racer Richard Hillgass parlayed a fifth place qualifying spot into a Top Eliminator 9.30 win. His .041 starting line advantage over Cody Hayworth set the stage for his 9.40 to 9.39 win.

“There were a lot of good young racers in the class,” Hillgass said, no doubt referring to Hayworth amongst others. “I might have them by a couple years.

“Thanks to Bill Fishel. Bill is the guy who built my (no-bar) bike. It started as a 1995 full dresser. He keeps it running strong.

“Thanks everyone at RMC—Reading Motorcycle Club. If it wasn’t for racing there, I wouldn’t be the racer I am. When you’re running a street tire and running slick and bar bikes, and you’re in front at the 60 foot mark, you gotta love it. And it helped that my good race buddy Dave redlit the first round, It was a great weekend!”

Chris Hoppe (does he still qualify as a “young” racer?) came in as the points leader, qualified number one, and exited as the champion.

Huffman Performance Super Gas 9.90

Former motocross racer Kevin Laughman qualified seventh out of 16 Huffman Performance Super Gas 9.90 and went all the way to the final  on his no-bar bike. There he raced wheelie bar-clad Richard George an won. Only .006 separated the two racers at the tree, with Laughlin running a 9.99 to George’s breakout 9.88.

“I’ve raced many different vehicles over the years—two wheels and four,” said Laughlin. “I was racing motocross from 2005 until I sustained two broken vertebrae in a practice crash in September of 2012. I already had a fusion of my thoracic vertebrae due to a previous breakage, so this necessitated removal of previous hardware and a complete fusion of my spine with two Harrington rods and 22 screws., along with a screw already in my right scaphoid and 14 prior broken bones. The ground’s hard and I break easy!

“The surgeon informed me I’d never work again and at this point I felt certain i would live a domesticated lifestyle without the ability to compete. I went back to work one year later and spent the next two years trying to adjust to not racing.

“In 2017 I began building my stock wheelbase Sportster to compete in 11.50 index and ET. Initially I hated drag racing, comparing it to what I missed from motocross.

“At the end of my first AMRA race at Numidia, I noticed Donnie Huffman getting winners circle pictures with his dog Winston, and it motivated me to come back and get a similar pic with my dog Kash. I was fortunate enough to do so the following year and several times since. Now with racing three bikes, the dog stays home as I’m far too busy.

“I must say I’d rather have finished runner up to Donnie at this event than to race without him. He was an invaluable asset to the sport and his wealth of knowledge and willingness to help were second to none.

“My goal for Super Gas at this race was to help my buddy Joe Peterson maintain his points lead and win the championship. We completely botched that plan and qualified number seven and ten, meaning we would race first round. Joe spun off the line and I won, ending the championship hopes of the guy who saved me a pit spot this weekend. I felt horrible for Joe, his family, and friends who came to support him. Joe handled it with class and was quick to offer help and congratulations after the win.

“I got a bit of luck second round with John Shotts not being able to make the call. Always a tough competitor. I experienced an issue with my tach/shift light on my bye run and would be winging it on shift points the rest of the day.

“Semifinal race against Tom Krava was a close one at the start and finish. We were both on and off the gas several times and I hit it one last time and got him by .012.

“For the final, I knew Richard could run close to the index. We left together and I felt with the good air we were gonna run under unless we started slowing down early. He stayed in it and I made the late decision to let him go. He broke out and I went down the shutdown unknowingly smacking dents in my gas cap in celebration.

“This win will always be special to me because of the support of Donnie Huffman’s family and friends at this event, and the fact that Super Gas was one of Donnie’s classes. Thanks to Jamie for joining me in the winners circle and to Huffman Performance and Service for sponsoring the class.

“I really wanted to win more than one class this weekend but I feel blessed to get the win in 9.90 against a tough field of competitors.

“I’d like to conclude by thanking the outstanding crew at Blettner Powersports in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Chris Ussery, Twitches Stitches, Joe Peterson, Joe Perry, Chad Hart, Rock Julie and Billy Bob Stone, Cole and Cris Mccoury. Greg and Julia Baugh for their hardwork and long hours on race weekends, the awesome staff at Rockingham Dragway for everything they do to keep the facilities in great shape, MotorManiaTv for the exposure, and last but certainly not least Eatmyink.com for the most professional coverage of motorcycle drag racing.”

Joe Petersen fell to third behind champion Jeremy Wilson (also number one qualifier) and second place Kimberly DeShields. “Would like to thank the AMRA for a great place to race,” said Wilson. “Also A1 Cycles , Skinnywrench Cycles, and a couple local truck drivers that help support my racing addiction. It’s been a great honor to compete with the best in the nation. Now for next year!”

BK Electric Super Pro 10.30

The BK Electric Super Pro 10.30 index class say a lot of action, veteran racer John Shotts leading points coming into the event. He was being chased by National Trail winner Matt Hauser, who qualified number one.

Bryce Creek qualified eight in the 18 bike field, with his teammate Chad Traynor all the way down in 13th. Both of these men ended in the final, though, where Traynor was first and worst in a double redlight round.

“It was a great weekend in Rockingham for Shadetree Racing,” said Bryce Creek. “I took home the win in Super Pro 10.30, and I was really looking forward to running Steve Lacy in the final for Pro Eliminator 10.90, but the rain decided otherwise. We called it a draw and split the money and hardware.

“I debuted my new leathers in honor of ‘DFH’ Donnie Huffman as well this weekend. The best part of the weekend was making a memorial pass down the track for Donnie with his son Jamie and wife Lisa. We made it about half track and Jamie gave me the nod and we both cracked the throttle WFO and he took the stripe.

“Jamie rode Donnie’s bike ‘Semi’ and I road ‘Cookie Jar,’ the 10.30 bike that Donnie built for me. It was the last bike he ever built. It has a lot of sentimental value to me. RIP Champ!”

“Special thanks to my wife Athena, my Shadetree family, All Pro Contractors, Huffman Performance and Service, Rob at R&R Cycles, and Jim Van Fleet.

“Also congratulations to my teammate and brother Chad Traynor for taking home the win in Street Eliminator 11.50.”

Hauser was able to pass Shotts for the championship. “Thank you to the AMRA—Greg, Julia and crew,” said Matt. “It feels amazing to be the Super Pro 10.30 national champion.

“First and foremost, a massive thank you to my incredible parents. Mom, Dad, you have sacrificed so much and believed in me every step of the way. From Dad making sure the bike was always ready to go rounds to Mom making sure we were always fed. This is for you.

“To my awesome Motorcycle Specialties teammates and crew: This title belongs to all of us. Thank you for pushing me to be my best. Especially off the trailer side by side on Fridays. Always close races.

“Congrats to my fellow racers. The 10.30 class is full of not only excellent riders but legends that have been doing this for a lot longer than I.

“Finally, to Sara and the kids, thank you so much for allowing me to chase a dream. We did it!”

Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50

As Creek mentioned, Chad Trayner won Thundermax Street Eliminator 11.50. Trayner faced number one qualifier Austin “Hammerhead” Hughes in the final, where he slapped a nasty .016 light on Hughes. That pushed Hughes to break out with an 11.46 to Trayner’s winning 11.55.

“I knew there was a slim chance to take over the number spot at the season finale at The Rock, but all the stars would have to align,” said Chad. “I would need Austin ‘Jason Al-Jeans’ Hughes to go out early, along with John Poet. Well I did my job but Jason Al-Jeans decided to go to the finals against me, which secured the championship for him. I am very happy for him. So I had to just give him a congratulative spanking in the Final to take the hard fought win for the event. Always good racing Austin. Good way to end the year for my team.”

“I’m riding the bike for my best friend Junior Fuller,” said Hughes, who’s preferred nickname is Hammerhead. “He told me he wanted to take the bike and put it back to a street bike last year. I told him to give me one more year with it to win a championship, and we pulled it off. So that was my last ever pass on that bike.

“A lot of racers behind me talk about they wish there wasn’t the two rainouts so they could catch me in points. They better be glad it rained, ‘cause I put my bike in the finals three of the four races that were ran!

“I’d  like to thank my girlfriend Mercedes and my three kids Jayse, Amelia, and Mavericks. Also Barn Built Baggers for the team effort, and Fosters Blue Water Oil, and VP Race Fuels for sponsorship.”

Pro Eliminator 10.90

Steve Lacy and Bryce Creek were left in Pro Eliminator 10.90 when rain started falling that ended the event.

Jim Clarke arrived at Rockingham with the points leads and held on as champion. “Going into the Cajun Nationals, the goal was to shake the rust off from not riding since the previous November and hopefully get a couple rounds of points to start the season defending the Eliminator number one plate,” said Clarke. “The Pro Eliminator championship was not on the radar or even the bucket list, as it’s a second class for me. A Street Bagger without wheelie bars, air shifter, or two step is not the ideal entry in a class of dragbikes.

“The bike and I were on the same page from the start, like we never had the winter off. Made it to the final in both Eliminator and Pro Eliminator with a win in PE over Chris’s Ussery and a runner-up in E. Leaving Belle Rose feeling good with my start in E and ecstatic I won a national in PE.

“Figuring if I qualified decent and went a couple rounds each month I could possibly score a top 5 in PE. At the Ohio Nationals, again the bike/rider duo is working well and qualified number one. Late Saturday after qualifying brought on a medical emergency with my daughter Brittany and had us in emergency in Columbus all night and morning. Making plans to withdraw and head home with her but she had other thoughts and wanted to stay and race. I end up running the table and winning PE for the second event in a row against Denny Nygard. This is getting surreal and the points lead growing.

“At the Michigan Nationals I qualified third and advanced to my third final in a row. The final was against Larry Stephens, looking for his first AMRA national win. Larry laid down a great pass on both ends of the track, leaving no room at the stripe and me running under the 10.90 index for the runner-up. All losses suck, but couldn’t have been happier for Larry to get the win.

“Left US131 with a large point lead and the pressure to not have a complete meltdown the remainder of the season. Byron and Bowling Green were rainouts and very little change in the points.

“The World Finals in Rockingham. With a 7-round lead in PE, it would take a perfect storm scenario and bonus points for Larry Stevens to overtake the points. Saturday qualifying essentially ended any possibilities, but a first round win would end any doubt. I advance to the semifinals against Bryce Creek and a too quick 10.85 to end the dream season. For the season, I was in every elimination round but one—the final at Rockingham.

“The Elimnator championship was going down to the wire also with me trailing Steve Lacy by two rounds. The perfect championship developed with Steve and I paired up in the quarterfinals. A win there and in the semis gives me back-to-back championships, a win for Steve secures the championship for him. The miracle on asphalt ends early with an .022 redlight. Congrats to fellow Michigander Steve Lacy on the 2025 Eliminator National championship and a number two for me.

“2025 has been an emotional journey, with the passing of my mother during the summer, but offset by the amazing achievements with AMRA. I have to thank Greg and Julia at AMRA, Frank Velasco and Jerry Meddock (Redline Motorsports Media) for the EMT services while waiting for an ambulance in Columbus, and Dave Fernandez RFC for being there for me all year!

“Also my son/partner/best friend Sean for everything, as I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it without him. My wife Cindy, daughter Brittany, daughter in law Victoria, and teammates Austin Hughes and Jeff Schwanke. Special thanks to Myles LaParl from Foster Blue Water Oil, VP Race Fuel, Gen 3 Performance Cycles, and our team Barn Built Baggers Racing.

“Thanks for the support and well wishes of all the competitors during my personal challenges. Race family is real!”

Baker Drivetrain Eliminator

Baker Drivetrain Eliminator also didn’t finish, with Steve Lacy and Bradley Jennings left in competition. Steve Lacy is your 2025 Eliminator champ.

“This is a pretty special accomplishment for me,” said Lacy. “This class is the one class any individual can win—from a 16 second 883 ridden in from out of town to an 8 second killer. This is the class for everyone to get involved.

“I was good when i needed to be and—more importantly—lucky when I needed to be. I’d like to thank Dave Loepke of Backwoodz Performance for the most reliable power one could hope for to make six passes in just over an hour. I’d like to thank my wife for letting me go out and compete. Most of all, I’d like to thank all of the competitors in the Eliminator class!!”

See you all at the banquet!

story and photos by Tim Hailey