JUNIOR DRAGSTER DRIVER HAS BIG DAY IN THUNDER VALLEY

Bristol, TN. Sept. 4, 2007. Chelsea van Cleave delivered a pair of big wins in last weekend’s MideBosRacing.com Junior Dragster Fall Nationals at Bristol Dragway.

Not only did the Antioch, Tenn. native take top honors in the Quick 32 division, she won the Mike Bos Challenge and pocketed the $3,000 U.S. Savings Bond that went with it.

The Mike Bos Challenge win was van Cleave’s before she left the line. Her opponent, Brittney Jarnagin of Morristown, left the line a little too soon, and received a red light disqualification. With the win already hers, van Cleave sealed the deal with a 7.996 elapsed time at 79.96 mph after a .014 reaction time.

In Quick 32, van Cleave knocked off Phillip Vineyard of Morristown with a .025 reaction time and a 4.863 E.T. Vineyard ran a 4.967 E.T. after a .287 reaction.

Several local drivers faired well in the weekend’s competition. Ben Denton of Bristol, Va. won in the 10-12 year-old division and in the King/Queen of the Hill division. Bluff City’s Austin Roberts won in the 13-14 year-old division as well as the 7.90 Index, while his brother Aaron claimed the 15-17 year-old division.

Jonathan Hill from Roan Mountain bested Kingsport’s Austin Olingger to win the 8.90 Index, while Piney Flats’ Vic Vanover won the 10.90 Index class. Katie Cundiff of Gray won the 12.90 Index class.

Bristol Dragway returns to action with Street Fights Army Night on Sept. 4 and Street Fights Bike Night on Sept. 6. The Sunoco Thunder Valley Shootouts drivers will return with a test and tune on Sept. 7, with racing on Sept. 8.

For more information about upcoming Bristol Dragway events, please call (423) 764-DRAG or visit www.bristoldragway.com.