MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Hundreds of International Hot Rod Ass’n track champions, along with Summit Team Finals divisional champions from around the United States and Canada, gathered at Memphis Int’l Raceway Sunday for the IHRA Summit SuperSeries World Finals.
With nearly 100 IHRA-sanctioned tracks represented, drivers traveled hundreds of miles for the most prestigious bracket racing championship in drag racing.
The IHRA Summit SuperSeries champions were crowned Saturday in Top (Box), Mod (No Box), Sportsman and Junior Dragster.
The $200,000 program is the championship competition for IHRA member Sportsman racers, and more than 8,000 racers who compete in the program annually.
Gary Shearer from Eddyville, Iowa, representing the IHRA Midwest Team Finals, won the Top World Championship.
Mason Hatton from Jeffersonville, Ky., representing I-64 Motorplex, captured the Mod World Championship. Joe Tharp Jr., from Waynesburg, Pa., representing Keystone Raceway Park, captured Sportsman World Championship.
Madison Fisher from Loxahatchee, Fla., representing Immokalee Regional Raceway, won the Junior Dragster crown.
Shearer defeated James Barnes from Portland, Tenn., representing Buffalo Valley Dragway in the Top finals with a .012-reaction time, 4.53-second run at 144.81 mph.
“Door cars have been dominant in many races this year and I said not tonight and took the win in my dragster,” an excited Shearer said. “I have to thank my sponsors RJ Performance and Schroeder Graphics along with my wife and son for their support this year.”
His championship package included $20,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, a seven-night/eight-day vacation for two on the island of Aruba courtesy of Around Aruba Tours, a world championship diamond ring, a world championship Ironman Trophy and IHRA Gold Card.
Hatton had a 6.10-second pass at 104.72 mph to claim the Mod World Championship over Michael Wayne Turman from Thorndale, Texas representing Little River Dragway, who was the runner-up.
“I have to thank my dad and family for all their help,” an excited Hatton said. “It feels great to win this after coming here for three years.”
Hatton also won $20,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, a seven-night/eight-day vacation for two on the island of Aruba, a world championship diamond ring, a world championship Ironman Trophy and IHRA Gold Card.
Tharp Jr., from Waynesburg, Pa., had a 7.53-second pass at 87.56 mph to claim the Sportsman World Championship over Trey Sikes from Cordova, N.C., representing South Carolina Motorplex.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s been a heck of a ride and year,” said a jubilant Tharp Jr. “I can’t wait to come back. Thank you to Summit Racing Equipment for putting this on!”
Tharp Jr., won $7,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, a seven-night/eight-day vacation for two on the island of Aruba, a world championship diamond ring, a world championship Ironman Trophy and IHRA Gold Card.
Fisher went down the track in 7.94-seconds at 80.91 mph by defeating Trent Phann from Baxter, Tenn., representing Buffalo Valley Dragway.
“I am so excited to win it was great to do well today,” an emotional Fisher said. Yesterday was very tough and it feels great to win today!”
Fisher took home $10,000 from Summit Racing Equipment, a seven-night/eight-day vacation for two on the island of Aruba, world championship Ironman Trophy, a world championship diamond ring and IHRA Gold Card.