Champions crowned at JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals (1 Viewer)

[Kelly]

Champions crowned at JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals​

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 21) – Champions were crowned in eight Lucas Oil sportsman categories during this weekend’s highly successful fourth annual JEGS NHRA Northern SPORTSnationals at National Trail Raceway. Emerging from a field of more than 500 competitors, Robert Bailey of Wabash, Ind., claimed the title in Comp Eliminator while former NHRA national champion Jeff Taylor claimed his second Northern SPORTSnationals title in Super Stock. Katie Sepanek of Moosic, Pa., added her name to the list of women who have won an NHRA national event when she claimed the Stock eliminator title over former champion Kevin Helms. The state of Ohio was well represented as Buckeye racers combined to make seven final rounds. Other winners crowned on Sunday afternoon were Don Trasin of Pickerington, Ohio (Super Comp), Gary Linkhorn of Cumberland, Ohio (Super Gas), Don Moyer of Pickerington, Ohio (Super Street), Ronnie Davis of Suwanee, Ga. (Top Sportsman), and Bill Webb of Centerburg, Ohio (Top Dragster).

Bailed drove his dragster to a time of 7.24-seconds to beat Greg Kamplain of Brownsburg, Ind., in the final round of Comp Eliminator. Taylor, a three-time NHRA champion who has also raced in Pro Stock, drove his ’95 Olds Achieva to a final round victory against Rich South of Pickerington in the Super Stock final and Sepanek downed Helms in the Stock final with a run of 11.77-seconds in her ’72 Chevelle.

Helms, who also won the JEGS Cajun SPORTSnationals in Belle Rose, La., last April, just missed a chance to capture the coveted JEGS Crown, limited edition trophy that is awarded to any racer who can win two of the three JEGS SPORTSnationals events held each year. The third event is the JEGS NHRA Pacific SPORTSnationals held in Fontana, Calif., Oct. 3-5.

Team JEGS driver John Coughlin posted the best finish for the Coughlin family when he drove his Chevy Cobalt to a quarterfinal finish in Super Stock. John’s brother, Mike and nephew, Troy Jr., were also in action, racing in Top Sportsman and Super Comp, respectively. Mike and Troy Jr each won their opening round races but were defeated in round two of eliminations.

“We didn’t get the results we were looking for but we had a great time anyway,” said Coughlin. “Anytime you can spend a weekend at the races surrounded by your family and friends that’s a good thing. I’m already looking forward to next year’s JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals.”