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This past weekend, Maryland
International Raceway roared to
life with the 24th annual WPGC
Bike Fest, where the XDA
showcased the apex of motorcycle
drag racing. The event was a
true festival of speed and
entertainment, featuring
electrifying live music hosted
by DJ Flexx, a dynamic Baggers
vs. Slingshots Sound Off, an
impressive custom bike show, a
fierce sound competition, a
bustling vendor midway, and a
sizzling hot bikini contest.
The track was ablaze with
excitement as over 600 entries
battled it out on MIR’s famed
quarter-mile strip. Racers came
prepared for intense
competition, taking full
advantage of the refreshingly
cooler July weather. With packed
fields and a myriad of
activities happening both on and
off the track, the event
delivered non-stop action and
unforgettable moments all
weekend long.
Orient Express Racing Pro Street
Winner – Jason Dunigan
Runner-up – Rodney Williford
The 650+ horsepower Orient
Express Racing Pro Street class
was full of excitement, as the
cooler temperatures were
expected to yield impressive
performance numbers. Justin
Shakir held the number one
qualifying spot with a
blistering 6.394 at 234.29 mph
for a day, but Rodney Williford
came out in round three of
qualifying to shatter his dreams
and snatch the top spot with an
insane 6.363.
Qualifying was fierce, with
three racers climbing the ranks
on the Orient Express Pro Street
GOAT List. Jamie Lopes shaved a
hair off his time, running a
6.490 to edge out his previous
6.491. Aruba's own Jayson
Geerman stepped up his game,
running a 6.521, an improvement
from his earlier 6.569. Making
his XDA Pro Street debut, Andrew
Ritchey on his Turbo Hayabusa
broke into the GOAT list with a
7.065, and he's already planning
big moves for the next event.
The field was blazing fast, with
all six-second bikes and the top
half running in the fifties or
better. The buzz was electric
Saturday night as teams prepped
their machines for Sunday’s
showdown.
Rodney Williford was a man on
fire, cutting through the
competition like a hot knife
through butter. He kicked off
round one by taking out Chris
Moore with a 6.455. In round
two, Darion Payne fell to
Williford's 6.391. The
semi-final saw Mark Rendeluk
fall to a 6.407, pushing
Williford into his third final
of the season.
On the other side of the ladder
was Jason Dunigan. His teammates
and travel companions had taken
wins in grudge the night before,
and he wasn't about to be left
behind. Dunigan dispatched Ricky
Wood in round one with a 6.427,
then took out Jeremy Teasley in
round two with a 6.419.
Consistency was key in the
semi-final, where Dunigan ran a
6.45 to knock out David Fondon,
setting up another epic face-off
against Williford.
As the day's temperature
dropped, the intensity only grew
hotter. The last time Dunigan
and Williford faced off in a
final, Dunigan came out on top.
DME Racing’s team tuner Andy
Sawyer had a tough call to make.
He had two tune-ups ready: one
labeled 'safe' and the other
‘Hold-on.’ Trusting his gut,
Sawyer went with the 'safe'
option.
When the bulbs flashed,
Williford took the tree with a
.027 reaction time to Dunigan’s
.066. Williford’s front end
started to lift in a wheelie,
while Dunigan’s smooth start got
him out in front. Williford
quickly regained control, but
Dunigan was still out in front.
At about 100’ out, Dunigan’s
front end started to rise, but
he stayed steady and undeterred
to manage his wheelie like a
pro. He didn’t miss a beat,
staying 100% in the throttle and
keeping Williford at bay.
Williford was closing the gap,
but Dunigan crossed the finish
line first, running a 6.505 over
Williford’s 6.676, sealing the
win and delivering his team
their third victory of the
weekend. The starting line
erupted with cheers, as anyone
who earns a win over Williford
has accomplished a significant
feat!
DME Racing Real Street
Winner – Rickey Gadson
Runner-up – Dystany Spurlock
The DME Racing Real Street class
witnessed a historic moment as
Dystany Spurlock became its
first female number-one
qualifier, securing the top spot
with an impressive 7.442-second
run. This performance set her on
an exciting path to the final
round.
Her number-one qualifying
position earned her a bye in the
first round, allowing her to
advance without contest. In
round two, she outran Caleb Holt
with a display of speed and
precision. Round three saw a bit
of luck on her side as Mark
Hylton encountered mechanical
issues and couldn't get out of
the waterbox, sending Spurlock
to her first-ever Real Street
final. Remarkably, this was only
Spurlock’s second event, making
her performance even more
impressive.
In the final, she faced the
reigning class champion, Rickey
Gadson. Gadson, who had yet to
win an event this year, was
determined to claim victory,
setting the stage for an
electrifying final showdown.
When the starting bulbs dropped,
Gadson took the starting line
advantage with a .031-second
reaction time compared to
Spurlock’s .080. Both riders
battled to keep the front end
down as they launched down the
track.
Spurlock led Gadson to the
finish line, appearing poised to
clinch her first win. However,
in a thrilling finish, Gadson
used his starting line advantage
to catch Spurlock just in time,
crossing the finish line first
with a 7.493-second run against
Spurlock’s quicker 7.464. The
margin was incredibly tight,
showcasing the intense
competition and skill of both
riders.
The final was an exhilarating
spectacle for the crowd,
highlighting Spurlock's
breakthrough performance and
Gadson's relentless drive to
secure his first win of the
season. Fans were left in awe of
the dramatic finish and the
promising future of DME Racing
Real Street competition.
HTP Performance Super Stock
Winner – Jeremy Teasley
Runner-up – Jimmy Leach
In HTP Performance Super Stock,
Jeremy Teasley continued to
assert his dominance, with Jimmy
Leach and Mike Davis in hot
pursuit. Teasley, Leach, and
Davis hold the top three spots
in the points standings,
respectively. For this event,
Teasley secured the number one
qualifying position with an
8.886-second run, followed
closely by Mike Davis at 8.903
and Jimmy Leach at 8.930.
The competition was fierce, with
all three riders showcasing
relentless determination. The
semi-final round was a
highlight, as it brought these
top competitors face to face.
Jimmy Leach earned a bye to the
finals, while Jeremy Teasley
faced off against Mike Davis.
Teasley emerged victorious,
posting an impressive
8.861-second run against Davis’s
8.941, setting the stage for an
exciting final round.
In the final showdown, Teasley
took an early advantage with a
reaction time of .129 seconds,
compared to Leach’s .177. As
they raced their stock bikes
down the quarter-mile, Teasley
demonstrated masterful control
and speed. Despite Leach’s best
efforts to close the gap,
Teasley maintained his lead,
crossing the finish line first
with an 8.831-second run to
Leach’s 8.964. This victory
marked Teasley's third
consecutive win, further
solidifying his position as the
rider to beat in the HTP
Performance Super Stock class.
Teasley’s performance was a
testament to his skill and
consistency, while Leach and
Davis’s relentless pursuit
underscored the high level of
competition in the class. Fans
can look forward to more
thrilling battles as the season
progresses and these top riders
continue to push their limits.
Booted Bulls
Winner – Frankie Stotz /
Reddi-Wip
Runner-up – Derek Sobiech /
Night Stalker
Frankie Stotz and Derek Sobiech
continued their epic showdown
for Boosted supremacy, squaring
off in the final round for the
third consecutive race. Stotz,
aboard DME Racing’s ‘Reddi-Wip,’
took a first-round win over
‘Fentynal’ and secured an earned
bye to face off against Sobiech
in the final. Sobiech powered
through wins against ‘Minion’
and ‘Big Country’ to earn his
spot in the finals.
As the final race kicked off, it
looked like both riders launched
off the line simultaneously,
promising a thrilling showdown.
But the ‘Night Stalker’ played
it cautiously while Stotz
unleashed all the power he had,
rocketing to another victory and
maintaining his undefeated
streak this season.
Stotz aboard the DME Racing
liter bike dominance on the
track is turning heads, proving
that when it comes to Boosted
battles, he’s the one to beat.
Sobiech’s persistence and skill
ensure that each matchup is a
high-octane spectacle, keeping
the fans on the edge of their
seats. This rivalry is heating
up, and everyone’s watching to
see who’ll come out on top next
time.
Nitrous Bulls
Winner – David Fondon / High
Roller
Runner-up - Antonio Patton / Big
Dirty
In Nitrous Bulls, the class got
a fresh new entry with David
Fondon riding HTP’s ‘High
Roller’. Fondon scored the
first-round bye in the Chip Draw
that fast-tracked him straight
to the final. Meanwhile, Antonio
Patton on ‘Big Dirty’ was out
there hustling, taking down
Jeremy Teasley on ‘American
Express’ in round one, showing
he meant business.
Come final time, it was Fondon
versus Patton, and the
anticipation was electric. But
just as things were about to
heat up, Patton jumped the gun
and went red on the light,
handing Fondon the win without
needing any nitrous magic.
Fondon’s win on ‘High Roller’
was smooth and clean.
The crowd felt the intensity and
excitement as these riders
pushed their limits. Fondon’s
debut with ‘High Roller’ and
Patton’s fierce competition made
for a thrilling event, setting
the stage for more high-stakes
battles in the Nitrous Bulls
class. This win marks a strong
start for Fondon, and you can
bet there’s more action to come.
3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls
Winner - Michael Daddio /
Overtime
Runner-up - Crow Teasley /
Unhinged
In the 3 Sixty 5 Monster Bulls
class, the competition was on
fire! Crow Teasley made a bold
move, taking out point leader
Brandon Tyree in round two on
‘Unhinged.’ This crucial win
allowed Teasley to snag the top
spot in the points standings.
Teasley’s momentum continued as
he defeated ‘Leather Face’
before landing himself in the
final round.
On the other side of the ladder,
the spotlight was on the shiny
new grudge racer, Michael Daddio,
riding ‘Over Time.’ This event
marked Daddio’s third grudge
race and his second time
competing in the 3 Sixty 5
Monster Bulls class. Daddio
showcased his prowess by taking
down ‘Son of Sam’ and ‘One
Trip,’ and earning a bye in the
semi-final to secure his first
final-round appearance in XDA
history.
The final round was set to be a
showdown for the ages. Veteran
racer Teasley was the crowd
favorite, especially after his
win at last month’s Superbike
Showdown. However, DME Racing’s
newly built machine, piloted by
Daddio, was ready to make a
statement. When the bulbs
dropped, both riders released
their clutches, eager to battle
it out. Both bikes stumbled and
lost traction off the line, but
Daddio recovered quicker,
regaining his grip and powering
down the track.
Daddio's swift recovery allowed
him to cross the finish line
first, securing a spectacular
victory and earning a spot in
the winner’s circle alongside
his teammate Frankie Stotz. The
crowd erupted as Daddio
celebrated his first final-round
win in the 3 Sixty 5 Monster
Bulls class, marking a
significant milestone in his
racing career.
This race not only highlighted
the intense competition and
skill within the 3 Sixty 5
Monster Bulls class but also
underscored the unpredictability
and excitement that keeps fans
coming back for more. With
Teasley and Daddio both proving
their mettle, the stage is set
for even more thrilling battles
in the future.
Tommie's Motorsports DMV Bulls
Winner – Nick Hamlett / Miss
Behavin
Runner-up – Alex Kupetz / Monkey
Business
In Tommie's Motorsports DMV
Bulls, Nick Hamlett, riding
‘Miss Behavin,’ snatched the
points lead after ‘Shy Glizzy’
took out the former points
leader, Dez Cue, in round two of
eliminations. Hamlett battled
fiercely, winning three rounds
to make it to his second final
of the season. He claimed
victories over ‘AM Performance,’
‘Bounty Hunter,’ and ‘Shy Glizzy.’
In the final, he faced off
against Alex Kupetz on ‘Monkey
Business.’ Kupetz had been on a
tear, taking wins over ‘NWA,’
‘Gray Matter,’ and ‘Moon
Knight,’ marking his first
final-round appearance.
With one rider hungry for his
first trip to the winner’s
circle and another looking to
solidify his points lead, the
tension was electric as they lit
up the pre-stage bulbs. When the
lights dropped, both bikes
rocketed off the line, making
smooth, clean passes. But Kupetz
was monkeying around a bit too
much as Hamlett pulled away,
making it impossible for Kupetz
to catch up. Hamlett crossed the
finish line first, taking his
first win of the season and
cementing his lead in the points
standings.
The crowd went wild as Hamlett
celebrated his victory, showing
that he’s a force to be reckoned
with in the DMV Bulls class.
This race not only highlighted
the fierce competition but also
the high stakes and passion that
drive these racers to push their
limits. With more races to come,
the battle for dominance is far
from over, and fans can expect
even more thrilling showdowns.
All Motor Bulls
Winner – La Payne / Dark Knight
Runner-up – David Fondon / Bad
Bitch
The All Motor Bulls points
leader, David Fondon, riding
‘Bad Bitch,’ was out for
redemption after taking a loss
last month to La Payne on ‘Dark
Knight.’ Determined to get back
on top, Fondon secured wins over
‘All In’ and ‘Da Informant,’
earning another final round.
Meanwhile, Payne was lurking in
the shadows, taking down ‘No
Name’ and ‘Da Setup’ to set the
stage for a rematch with Fondon.
In the final, the tension was
thick as the bulbs dropped.
Payne shot off the line and
instantly took the lead over
Fondon. Fondon, not one to back
down, gained momentum and was
closing in fast. But in grudge
racing, the track is only 660
feet, and every inch counts.
Despite Fondon’s valiant effort,
Payne held his ground and
crossed the finish line first,
securing his second win in a
row.
Payne’s back-to-back victories
have put him in a prime position
to challenge Fondon for the
points lead. The crowd was
hyped, witnessing another epic
clash between these two fierce
competitors. With the stakes
getting higher, Fondon and Payne
are set to keep pushing each
other to the limit, making for
some of the most thrilling races
in the All Motor Bulls class.
The rivalry is heating up, and
fans can’t wait to see who will
come out on top in the next
showdown. Will Fondon reclaim
his throne, or will Payne
continue his streak and snatch
the points lead? One thing’s for
sure – this battle is far from
over.
Vance & Hines 4.60
Winner - Kenny Cornell
Runner-up - Eran Pielert
The Vance and Hines 4.60 Index
class featured a competitive
field during Bike Fest, with
thirty-six racers vying for
spots in the thirty-two bike
lineup. Reigning class champion
Ronald Procopio secured the top
qualifying position with a
blistering 4.601-second run.
Procopio seemed poised for
another victorious outing,
advancing steadily through the
rounds. However, in a surprising
turn of events during the
semi-final round, mechanical
issues on the starting line
forced him to back out of the
beams, conceding victory to Eran
Pielert and ending his run.
Pielert, who had qualified fifth
with a solid 4.607-second run,
capitalized on his opportunity
and continued his winning streak
into the finals. There, he faced
Kenny Cornell, who had been
cutting competitive lights and
was prepared for a fierce final
round battle. Cornell's sharp
reaction times had been a key
factor in his journey to the
finals, and he maintained his
form with a competitive .011
reaction time when the bulbs
dropped.
However, the final round took an
unexpected turn when Pielert,
eager for victory, went red with
a -.018 reaction time, handing
Cornell the win by default.
Despite the anticlimactic
finish, the competition
throughout the event showcased
the high level of skill and
determination among the racers.
Cornell's victory was a
testament to his consistency and
readiness to seize the moment,
while Pielert's journey to the
final highlighted his resilience
and competitive spirit. The
event underscored the
unpredictable nature of racing,
where split-second decisions and
minor errors can dramatically
alter the outcome.
1 Stop Speed 5.60
Winner – Dustin Lee
Runner-up – Nick Noble
Nick Noble led the 1 Stop Speed
5.60 qualifying on Saturday with
an impressive 5.603-second run,
outpacing thirty-one other
competitors. His strong
performance continued on Sunday
during eliminations, where he
secured four consecutive wins to
earn his spot in the final
round. In the final, he faced
off against the 2022 class
champion, Dustin Lee, a
formidable competitor known for
his consistent and powerful
performances.
As the final race approached,
the tension was palpable. Both
riders were eager to claim
victory, and the competition
promised to be fierce. When the
starting bulbs dropped, Noble
seized an early advantage with a
reaction time of .025 seconds,
compared to Lee's .039 seconds.
However, Lee, demonstrating why
he is a champion, surged down
the track with remarkable speed
and precision.
Despite Noble's strong start,
Lee's relentless pace allowed
him to cross the finish line
first, clocking a 5.602-second
run. Lee's victory margin was a
slim .024 seconds over Noble's
5.640-second run, showcasing the
high level of competition and
the razor-thin differences that
can determine the outcome in
this sport. This win marks Lee’s
first of the season, and it’s
expected to be the start of many
more victories to come as he
reasserts his dominance in the
class.
Noble's performance throughout
the weekend, from leading the
qualifiers to battling through
the eliminations, highlights his
skill and tenacity. Meanwhile,
Lee's triumphant return to the
winner's circle serves as a
reminder of his prowess and the
exciting season ahead for both
competitors and fans.
Mickey Thompson Tires Top
Sportsman
Winner – Shawn Rainey
Runner-up – Art Lawrence
The Mickey Thompson Tires Top
Sportsman event showcased one of
the quickest fields in history,
drawing intense competition and
high expectations. Mac McAdams
clinched the number one
qualifying spot with an
impressive 7.512-second run.
However, his journey was cut
short in a surprising twist
during round two. McAdams, in a
bid to secure his place in the
next round, jumped the gun and
went red, handing the win to
Mark Schwalm and eliminating
himself from the competition.
As the event progressed, the
focus shifted to Shawn Rainey
and Art Lawrence, who both
demonstrated exceptional skill
and determination to earn their
spots in the final round.
Rainey, known for his
consistency and precision,
dialed in at 8.05 seconds and
executed a near-perfect reaction
time of .004 seconds. His
opponent, Lawrence, dialed in at
a quicker 7.70 seconds and
achieved a solid .025 reaction
time, setting the stage for an
electrifying final race.
Rainey’s stellar reaction time
gave him the advantage as they
sped down the track, Lawrence
began closing the gap, pushing
his machine to overtake Rainey.
It wasn't enough to surpass
Rainey's lead despite Lawrence's
best efforts and performance.
Rainey crossed the finish line
with a narrow margin of victory
of .035 seconds, clocking an
8.061-second run over Lawrence's
7.725.
MPS Racing Pro ET
Winner – Ben Knight
Runner-up – Jeffery Santin
Over 120 racers entered Sunday’s
MPS Racing Pro ET class, eager
to test their skills and vie for
the $5,000 payday. Class points
leader Jeffrey Santin and Ben
Knight each won seven rounds of
competition to secure their
spots in the final round. Santin
came into the event leading the
class by only one point, making
every round win on Sunday
crucial for him.
In the final showdown, Santin
dialed in at 8.29 seconds and
cut a .025 reaction time, while
Knight dialed in at 8.57 seconds
and achieved a perfect .000
reaction time. As they raced to
the finish line, neither rider
was willing to back off the
throttle, resulting in both
breaking out as they crossed the
finish line beams. Knight
clinched the win with a margin
of victory of .02 seconds,
posting an 8.564 over Santin's
8.279 run.
VooDoo Components Bracket Bash
Winner – Nick Christmas
Runner-up – Nick Hamlett
The Saturday VooDoo Component
Bracket Bash saw over 100
entries competing for the $3,000
payout. 2022 event winner Nick
Hamlett was in prime form
Saturday night, securing a win
in the DMV Bulls and aiming for
a double victory. Unfortunately,
mechanical issues prevented
Hamlett from reaching the final
round to face Nick Christmas.
Christmas, however, had a
fortuitous run. He received an
earned bye in round six and
advanced to the finals without
effort when his semi-final
competitor, Sam Sanders,
couldn't get his bike to start.
Christmas was prepared to
showcase his skills and earn his
victory but instead capitalized
on his competitors' unexpected
misfortunes.
Brock's Performance Street ET
Winner – Daniel Stribling
Runner-up – Kotty Van Vleck
Sunday's action in the Brock's
Performance Street ET class
delivered edge-of-the-seat
excitement, with competitors
racing close to their dials and
putting on a spectacular show
for the crowd. Daniel Stribling
and Kotty Van Vleck each powered
through six rounds to dominate
their sides of the ladder,
setting the stage for an
exhilarating final showdown.
In the final race, Stribling
dialed in at 10.18, while Van
Vleck aimed for an 8.72.
Stribling took off first with a
solid .063 reaction time. In a
dramatic twist, Van Vleck cut
his worst light of the day,
going red with a -.017 reaction
time, which handed the victory
to Stribling before he even
crossed the finish line.
Hard Times Parts & Service
Gambler’s Race
Winner – Mark Schwalm
Runner-up – Kevin Twardowski
Friday night at the WPGC Bike
Fest saw thrilling action during
the Hard Times Parts & Service
Gambler’s Race, where
Pennsylvania racers Mark Schwalm
and Kevin Twardowski dominated
the field through five intense
rounds. The stage was set for a
showdown to see who would earn
bragging rights at the next
Maple Grove Raceway bike night.
Schwalm, with an 8.71 dial, took
off from the tree first, gaining
an early lead over Twardowski’s
8.49 dial. Schwalm’s sharp .024
reaction time gave him a slight
edge over Twardowski’s .062. As
both racers powered down the
track, neither was willing to
back off, resulting in both
crossing the finish line with
breakout runs. Schwalm emerged
victorious, clinching the win
light with a margin of victory
of just 0.03 seconds, running an
8.680 against Twardowski’s
8.452.
The XDA will return to Virginia
Motorsports Park for the
FuelTech Bike Bash on August
23-25, 2024. Over 600
Professional, Sportsman, and
Grudge motorcycle racers will
compete, battling it out for
over $90,000 in cash purses.
Make plans now!
Visit xdaracing.com for event
information, class rules,
schedule, and more.
About XDA Racing
The Xtreme Dragbike Association
(XDA) is an east coast
motorcycle drag racing series
with 700+ motorcycle racers
competing at each event. Every
XDA event hosts professional
classes, sportsman classes,
grudge racing, and a vendor
midway. Lifestyle activities
such as bike shows, bikini
contests, DJs, and live bands
are also held at select events.
For more information on the XDA,
please visit www.xdaracing.com
or connect with us on Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter and YouTube @xdaracing
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