The NHRA Virginia Nationals started out mild, but by Sunday it was down right hot. Track conditions on Sunday were tricky, and you had to have your car setup right. The Sportsman got 3 rounds of eliminations on Saturday and 3 on Sunday. There was no Comp Eliminator or Top Sportsman competing this week. A 3 day race with 6 categories made it easy to finish on time, along with no major incidents, the sportsman where all done by late Sunday afternoon. The Factory Stock Showdown cars did have starting line issues with the hot sun beating on the track, but the ones who could dial in the power wound up in the finals.

Factory Stock Showdown: Drew Skillman over Bo Butner

Bo Butner was the number 1 qualifier and held a performance advantage into the finals. Drew Skillman qualified number 8, but showed he could run with Butner. In the final Skillman wins on a hole shot, Butner runs a 7.899 to Skillman’s 7.99, one of the tightest finals in Factory Stock Showdown history. This is Skillman’s 2nd Factory Stock Showdown win.

Super Stock: Joe Santangelo over Steve Comella

Santangelo takes on Comella in this final. With the temps in the mid 90’s and the track at over 130 degrees, the startling line could have been an issue to either driver. Santangelo is first off the line with a .016 light, Comella is .055 but takes the stripe with a breakout giving the win to Santangelo. Santangelo gets his 14th NHRA national event win.

Stock: Wallace Dent over Joe Lisa

Dent and Lisa battle it out for the Stock final. Lisa has been here 8 times without a win. Dent is .036 on the tree, Lisa is .025 and looks like he will get the win. Both drivers are off their dial in, but Dent takes the stripe by .002 for the win. Dent gets his first NHRA national event win in front of the home town crowd.

Super Comp: Chris Garretson over Colby Fuller

Garretson and Fuller with lights so close it will be a won at the stripe. Garretson is .019 and Fuller is .022 on the tree. Garretson’s dragster is unconventional as it throttle stops at the other end. Garretson has a .o24 package to Fuller’s .036 package. Garretson gets the win and takes home his first NHRA national event.

Super Gas: Tom Goldman over Michelle Furr

Both drivers have been killing the tree for 5 rounds. Goldman is late, 052 to Furr’s .024 in the final. It looks like Furr is in the driver seat for the win, but takes way to much stripe and gives Goldman his second NHRA national event win.

Top Dragster: Chad Traylor over Junior Houston

This is a tough one for Houston. He looks like he has this one in the bag with a .000 light to Traylor’s .024 and .019 over his dial. Houston breaks out by .005 and gives the win to Traylor. Traylor takes home his 3rd NHRA national event Walley.

Photos By – Auto Imagery