2011 Thunder at the Lakes Results

Putz, McVey win Top Alcohol classes during Thunder at the Lakes

mcvey (May 29, 2011) - Richard Putz ran his fastest time ever at Brainerd International Raceway back in 2005 and won the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series here in 2007, which are two of many reasons why he loves this track. Now he has another reason - his Top Alcohol Dragster championship this weekend during the Thunder at the Lakes NHRA Divisional Race.

Putz, of Earlville, Iowa and defending West Central Divisional Champion, saved his best pass of the day for the final round today where he faced off against Jared Dreher. Putz's 5.380-second run at 262.90 mph was too much for Dreher, who clocked in at 5.530 seconds and 244.34 mph.

"We only had one win last year so we put in a bigger motor this year, and we figured out the fuel system so the car is running great," Putz said. "Looks like we're starting off on a good note this season."

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Scott McVey lined up against defending Thunder at the Lakes champion Kirk Williams in the finals. Williams, who's also the current West Central Division Champion, was the No. 1 qualifier with the lowest E.T. going in to the elimination rounds but he couldn't hold off McVey, who ran a 5.673-second run at 254.09 mph to Williams' 5.929 seconds and 242.02 mph.

McVey, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, claims BIR as his home track and says he loves racing here. He's been runner up at the divisional race twice and made it to the semifinal round once during a Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals here.

The annual Thunder at the Lakes race is the second largest drag race of the season and serves as an excellent preview to the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in August. It features the same classes fans enjoy during the NHRA Nationals event, except for the four pro classes.

This year's Thunder at the Lakes had even more significance because of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Memorial Day Classic race taking place on the Competition Road Course. The race featured national-level racers in a variety of classes, as well as regional-level racer competing on the road course at the same time. Car counts were high and the racing was spectacular. Click here for results.

Below are results of each class on the drag strip:

Comp Eliminator
Pat Nahan of St. Cloud def. Matt Harris of Nebraska City, Neb

Super Stock
Justin Jenkins of Beatrice, Neb. def. Tim Mosbek of Andover

Stock Eliminator
Glen DeMenge of McGregor def. Ben Line of Cromwell

Super Comp
Gary Stinnett of Emporia, Kan. def. Mike Kritzky of St. Paul Park

Super Gas
Mark Hovorka of Ramsey def. Bruce Johnson of Jordan

Super Street
Greg Grundman of St. Cloud def. Craig Pfanenstiel of Hays, Kan.

Top Sportsman
Monte Green of Haxtun, Colo. def. William Goldammer of Mitchell, S.D.

Top Dragster
J.R. Lobner of Garner Kan. def. Les Feist of Clearwater

Sportsman Motorcycle
Jason Clampitt of Lino Lakes def. Mike Voss of Maplewood

Long Motorsports Super Comp Shootout
Matthew Kreft of Council Bluffs, Iowa def. Kari Larson of Starbuck

Long Motorsports Super Gas Shootout
Michael Miller of Sante Fe, N.M. def. Russ Ginger of Honolulu, Hawaii