TEXAS MOTORPLEX plays host to new faces in winner’s circle during AHDRA EVENT

ENNIS, Texas - The Texas Motorplex has been one of the most competitive quarter-mile facilities in the United States since it was built in 1986. The all-concrete surface has played host to some of the greatest performances in drag racing history, crowning series champions and record-breaking numbers for more than 20 years.

Sunday, however, showcased a different group of racers – new winners. Steve Stordeur became the fourth different winner in Nitro Top Fuel in four races so far this season. Brian Fox broke the stranglehold that L.E. Tonglet had on the Destroyer category and Dan Norlin was busy making two final round appearances.

In all, it was a thrilling weekend with new faces beaming at the close of the event.

Stordeur beat Joey Sternotti in the Nitro Top Fuel final – a contest between two riders who did not make a final round appearance in all of 2006. Stordeur recorded a 4.233-second pass at 177.77 mph to beat Sternotti’s 4.254 at 183.32.

Stordeur also was the No. 1 qualifier of the weekend with a 4.177.

While Tonglet won the first three Destroyer races this season, his streak ended with a first round loss in Texas after he had qualified in the No. 1 position with a 9.320. Fox, a one-time finalist in ’06, took advantage of the situation and rode his Harley-Davidson all the way to the final, beating Douglas Horne for the victory. Fox turned in a 9.552 run at 138.02 to top Horne’s 9.826 at 127.67.

Norlin made the first of two final round appearances by winning the Screamin’ Eagle Performance (SEP) category. Norlin beat Stan Sheppard with an 11.533 at 115.20 after Sheppard fouled at the starting line.

Norlin was unable to complete the sweep, however, coming up short in the ET final. Dan Brummet earned the ET victory with a 10.481 over Norlin’s 11.652 at 115.10.

The next AHDRA event is the Stone Mountain Harley-Davidson Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga., May 26-27.