Buckeye Nationals run at Kil-Kare Dragway

XENIA, Ohio – The 30^th Annual Buckeye Nationals at Kil-Kare Dragway on Saturday brought out some of the nations top drag racers with a blend of the regions best, in addition to a visit from the legend himself, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits.

There were 16 Pro Top Outlaw Dragsters staged up for the first round, with semi finals for the class hitting top speed of 181.40. That speed was posted by Anthony Trauth of Cold Springs, Ky., who moved to the final over Randy Fraker of Waukesha, Wis. Gary Watters of Whitley City, Ky., went to the final after winning his round against Toby Chapman of Duncan, S.C. In the final, it was Watters who picked up the win.

In the Supercharged Warrior class, the final round was won by Bob Lascak of East Springfield, Pa. He beat out Mike Himes of Brookville, Pa.

There were 19 United Manual Transmission Racers (UMTR) Power Shift Series cars on hand for competition. In the quarterfinals, Philip Drew of Hamilton moved to the semis over David Garner of Hamilton; Tony King of Alexandria, Ky. won his round against Larry Dickey of Hartford, Ind. Kevin Nickoson of Lawrenceburg, Ind. got the bye run.

In the semi final, King moved on to the final over Nickoson and Drew pulled up the bye.

The final round win belonged to King in his ’69 Camaro, who ran a 6.60 on a 6.53 dial in with a .517 light.

In Kil-Kare brackets super pro quarter finals, Dale Morris of Tipp City moved to the semis after his run against Dean Karns Jr., who broke out in his ’59 Corvette. Jay Fedkow of Xenia got the win light against Jason Cook of Springfield; Jim Smith of Beavercreek redlighted sending Matthew Barrett, also of Beavercreek to the semis. Lance Anthony of St. Paris got the bye run.

The semi final round had Fedkow running dead on his 5.48 dial in for the win as Morris broke out, and Barrett redlighted his run against Anthony setting up a Fedkow vs. Anthony final that didn’t run due to curfew. These two will be matched up for their final round the next time they’re both in attendance to race here in Xenia.

In the pro bracket quarters, James Dement of Dayton broke out of his dial in sending Doug Caplinger to the semis, Jason Neargardner of Dayton picked up the double break out win over Lonnie Lindsey of Washington Courthouse. Bryan Fox of Springfield broke out in his run against Michael Roberts of Huber Heights and Patrick Partee of Xenia caught a redlight sending on Jerry Tompson of Springfield.

In the semi final, it was Caplinger securing a spot in the final as opponent Tompson broke out, and although Neargarder broke out in his ’79 Camaro he picked up the win as Roberts fell victim to the no tail light rule.    

The final was a double break out deal, with Neargarder picking up the bracket win.

Bracket three sportsman quarterfinals had Nathan Baker of Xenia pick up a win in his round over Phil Borton of Urbana, who broke out. Earl Crouch of New Lebanon redlighted, moving Danny Oiler Jr. to the semis and Walt Shade Jr. of Xenia picked up the win in round against Robert Montroy of Urbana, who broke out of his dial in. Yolanda Spencer of Waynesville got the bye run.

In the semi final rounds, Shade broke out but went to the final after Baker redlighted and Spencer went to the final with the better light over Oiler.

For the final, it was Spencer who picked up the double break out win in her ’05 Lincoln Towncar.

Pro motorcycle bracket racing saw points leader Burt “Wally” Exman of Englewood move the semis after Danny Oiler Sr. of Springfield broke out. Dean Weaks of Fairborn moved on over David Sawyer of Springfield and Brian Poe of Cable picked up a .50 light, winning his round against Scott Sheppeard of Tipp City. Nathan Thatcher of Dayton got he bye run.

In the semis, Weaks broke out and Thatcher ran a 9.16 on a 9.15 dial for the win; Poe picked up the double break out win over Exman. In the final round, Poe pulled off an 8.55 on his 8.54 dial in for the win.

The high school quarterfinals saw Aaron Sprauer of Kettering move to the semis after Sam Bunch of Beavercreek caught a red light. Joe Hoskins of Fairborn picked up a win over Andi Terrell of New Carlisle and Michael Sturgill of Beavercreek picked up a win after Mikey Collier of Dayton Broke out. Brian Emory of Beavercreek got the bye run.

In the semis, Sprauer picked up a win over Emory and Sturgill moved to the final over Hoskins.

The final round saw Sturgill break out but pick up the win after Sprauer redlighted. Sturgill remains the points leader for the class.

This Saturday, don’t miss the Robert’s Cadillac and Beyer Trailer Sales Quick 8’s, with $2,000 to win for the quickest door cars and another $2,000 to win for the quickest dragster. Gates open at 9 a.m., with quick cars qualifying at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information visit www.kilkare.com.