ALBANY, Oregon (September 19, 2010) — Nothing could hold them back on the last weekend of summer. A Northwest storm that persisted with an annoying drizzle all day did nothing to damper the intensity of the racing.

Not even the fans!

Even with the rain and two major college football games just miles away from the Field of Dreams, nothing could stop these die-hard USSBA fans from seeing the National Finals and the end of the 2010 USSBA Racing Series season.

They were definitely not disappointed!

The hot class to watch was the Super-Modifieds. Dillon Cummings and Cory Johnson were tied for points. Dillon owned the last race we had here in July, but with different rotations (track layouts) for every race, that rarely means much in this form of racing.

Or does it?

Super-Modified

Dillon ran a 61.953 right off the trailer in the TNT Racing Team's #99 Jeepers Creepers boat. But, since Tim blew an engine at Marsing in June, Dillon and Tim have been double-teaming this very fast machine.

That's a lot of runs for one boat.

On Tim's run in Q1, a rocker arm broke. You just don't find racing rocker arms at your local parts store. But, Kyle Patrick just happened to have an extra set of the exact size that was needed for the #99 boat so Kyle's mechanic's daughter drove out to the shop to retrieve the needed part.

After a DNS in Q2, Dillon was off and running and then pulled what would be his fastest time of the day at 58.890! That eclipsed all the fast times from the 400 class and the only boat in the field to better Dillon's time was Cory Johnson. In his SUPER BOAT!

So, with the #1 qualifying points in his pocket, putting him ahead of Cory by 8 points, it would still take a win to claim the Super-Modified championship hardware.

In the meantime, Johnson was second, followed by Tim Cummings who ran some of the best laps we have seen all year, just two one-hundredths off Cory's time in third, a hard-charging Robert Cox in fourth and a disappointing showing for Scott Ackerman who has normally qualified higher.

It was then Henderson, Werner and Hines rounding out the top eight. Werner, last week's winner at East Wenatchee barely made it into the field after qualifying his first run and then DNF'ing three in a row.

Into the 8-cut Hines, Henderson, Werner and Ackerman were put back on the trailer. Cox ran a 61.720, just a tick behind Cory's 61.122. Tim Cummings ripped off a 60.935 and then handed the #99 boat to his son. Cory managed a 61.122.

Dillon was again on another hot lap. The split time showed him running faster than his fastest lap in qualifying. And then disaster was averted for a second time.

When heading down the "beer garden" straight into the sweeper at bottom of the track, Dillon went wide and slightly onto the grass near the entrance to the spinout pool. In talking with Teri, Dillon's Mom and navigator, she said, "All I saw was grass."

Dillon later said he had a huge "pucker-factor" moment and after that run "didn't have a butthole for at least twenty minutes."

As a witness to the event, this writer can attest to the fact that I even puckered just watching it!

But, the boat was kicked back into the channel and Dillon STILL pulled the fastest time of the round. If anyone had any doubt as to Dillon's sprint boat racing skills, they were certainly dashed forever on Saturday.

In the 4-cut Cox could only pull a 62 and change and was eliminated. Cory Johnson ran a very quick 60.843 and Tim ripped his fastest of the day at 60.139 placing the 2009 Super-Modified champion on the trailer for the day.

So, for the first time in this century, it was Son vs. Dad in the SAME BOAT!

One had to wonder. What if?

Tim did NOT hold back. He ran is second fastest time of the day and then it was Dillon's turn. Oddly enough, Dillon also ran his second fastest time of the day and took the USSBA National Finals trophy and the Super-Modified Championship in which that trophy will be presented at the 2010 USSBA Awards Banquet on a date to be announced soon.

Group A-400

Even with Wicked Racing's Doug Hendrickson winning every race this year and claiming the #1 qualify position for every race except East Wenatchee, not-qualifying or even not making it to the 4-cut left Hendrickson vulnerable to losing it all at the USSBA National Finals.

But, even more important was that Jack Bright Sr. would be racing again. After having recent cancer surgery, it was determined that chemotherapy would be necessary. He had his first sessions this week and his doctors said it would be okay to race.

This week.

Jack raced as hard as ever and his presence and humor was felt throughout the duration of the event. Jack finished on the podium and announced that he had sold his boat to co-racer, Dale Barger, and would take a year off to get healthy once again.

Jack will remain as a board member of the USSBA and will stay very involved in the sport.

The 400 class never ran faster than the 60-second range for the day.

In the 8-cut, Barger, Gahr, Saxton and Kelly Rice were placed on their trailers.

In the 4-cut run just 1.4 seconds separated the teams with Psycho Racing's Kyle Patrick earning the chance to battle against Wicked Racing's Doug Hendrickson.

Psycho vs. Wicked. Sounds like a bad sc-fi movie, but makes a for a great race.

Doug and Kyle had been at it all day exchanging 61.2's, 3's, 4's and 5's.

In the eliminations it was Doug who finally made into 60-second territory that would beat Kyle's beast time of the day by more than a second.

Hendrickson takes home the USSBA National Finals trophy and the Group A-400 championship.

Super Boats

Cory Johnson, Wicked Racing Dan Morrison and Todd Gary entered the world of Super Boats for the 2010 season. It's been a wild ride for all.

Cory would have to use a class waiver in the first race. Todd would use the class waiver in the second race. Dan Morrison would chase demons all season long.

Longtime Sprint Boat racer, Dean Lautenschlager, came back after a five-year absence along with Lee Rice after a one year hiatus. Both would be competitive and push the Super Boat class over and above anything we have seen since 2005. Dean ran a limited season in the very impressive SlipStream hull.

Unfortunately, gremlins have made racing for Dan Morrison barely possible. Mushroomed lifters. A shorted battery. More lifter issues. Ignition failure.

Dan ran Wicked Racing teammate's 400-class boat for minimal points but would never be competitive. Dan does emphatically state that 2011 will be much different.

Todd Gary quickly went from Super-Mod to a brief appearance in the 400 class and now into Super Boats running E-85 pump gas. Todd has not had the speed, but consistency placed him on the third step of the championship podium.

Lee Rice has been racing sprint boats in the USA for 14 years. After a one year season in 2008 in the one-off NJSA series, he came back to the USSBA with a vengeance.

Lee runs an insane 409ci, super-charged, straight header, very loud and very fast MackCraft hull.

It's loud and wild and freaky and it's scary just to watch. And we all love it! This would be an awesome boat to see at a night race with the methonal flames blowing out the exhaust.

At the end of the day, Cory Johnson took the fast times of the day into a different world into the 56-second land. Lee ripped off an impressive lap and pulled a 59.551 and claimed the second place trophy.

Todd Gary hung in there and completed his second race of the year in his Super Boat and took the third step of the podium running E-85 fuel.

Season-Ender

Incredibly competitive season. It's great to see the sport as one again. Racing has never been better and never has so many fans been witness to our sport both live and via live-streaming that in the 2010 season.

The Port Angeles track will be ready for 2011 so look for announcements soon regarding the 2011 season schedule.

DO NOT MISS 2011!! There are more tracks, boats and more coming next year. A HUGE thank you to all our USSBA fans.

Stay tuned here for updates and news as we prepare for 2011.

EAST WENATCHEE, Washington (September 4, 2010) — The fans piled into this brand-new, created in 30-days facility to watch the USSBA Racing Series' fifth sprint boat race of the 2010 season. And they were greeted with the teams tackling the most difficult, tight track ever dug in the United States.

How tough was it?

In the qualifications there were fifty-one DNFs (Did Not Finish) and in the eliminations there were eleven for a total of SIXTY-TWO DNFs for the day! We have not keep records of that statistic over the years, but I will lay claim that is the highest number of DNFs in this century.

But, as tough as it was, all the teams loved the new track. It was hard work for the drivers as they winded their way through the tight, twisty snake of water tucked into a little bowl in the hills just east of the town of East Wenatchee, Washington.

In talking with several drivers after the race they were nearly breathless because of how hard they hard to work navigating Thunder Swamp.

Many of the boats missed turns, slid onto the wet, muddy, islands and several rolled later in the day during the elimination rounds when things got a little fierce as the teams battled for the beautiful trophies presented by event coordinator, Dawn Collings.

We had a couple minor delays due to adjustments of the timing lights and the islands had to be marked with flags due to the fact that they were difficult for the drivers to see once they got wet. But, overall the event went off without a hitch and everyone was pleased with the results.

The talk of the day was rookie driver and U.S. Navy, F-18 pilot/instructor, Eric Werner claiming his first victory of his career at the inaugural race at Thunder Swamp in the Super-Modified class. You could not have found a more happier man on the planet on Saturday. Later, when I commented on how dirty his boat was, Eric said, "I'm not washing it! I'm proud of that dirt!"

This was also Talitha Edwards first win as a navigator and could not be done with more style!

Eric and Talitha were one of only two teams who did not DNF at the event. Lee Rice, who competed in both the Group A-400 class and Super Boats also did not DNF in the Super Boat class. Every other team had at least one DNF during the day.

Super Modified Class

In the Super-Mods, Cory Johnson DNFd in the 8-cut and with Dillon Cummings finishing second to Werner, we now have a tie for first place as we head to Albany for the National Finals on September 18th.

Cory Johnson struggled in his Super Mod boat pulling a 62 and a 63 in qualifying while Werner, a very aggressive Robert Cox and Cummings were pulling 60's and 61's.

Robert Cox and Eric Werner could be the rain on either Dillon's or Cory's quest for the 2010 USSBA Nationals and Championship Trophies at Albany on the 18th. This will be the class to watch on that day.

Scott Ackerman is just 34 points out of the lead and has a very realistic chance at both trophies and may well be the dark horse and spoiler.

Also performing very well at East Wenatchee was the Henderson/Henderson team in the #16 boat.

Group A-400

In the Group A-400 class, Wicked Racing's Doug Hendrickson is leading second place driver Paul Gahr by 146 points and unless catastrophe strikes, Doug will claim his third championship. Currently, Cara McGuire is still subbing as navigator for Doug, though it's expected that Hannah will return at The Nationals, pending doctor's approval.

The surprise performer in the 400-class was the Father-Daughter team of Kyle and Alex Patrick. This Psycho racing team has struggled with a mid-pack boat all year.

After some motor, pump and setup tweaking coming into this race, Kyle shocked the crowd and racers alike by pulling the first sub 60-second time of the day in any class with a blistering 58.316! Cory Johnson promptly squished that time in the Super Boat class with a 56, but Kyle's time would stand in the 400-class until the elimination rounds.

Paul and Josh Gahr are running consistently and are looking to lock up second place in this class in Albany. It's been a great year for the Gahr's.

Jack Bright is pretty much out of the running after missing one race due to health issues and Doug Olson should have no problem claiming possession of the third step on the podium for 2010 if he can make the race. Doug's pump separated from the boat when he backed into the bank in the spinout pool.

Super Boats

In Super Boats it's between Cory Johnson and Dan Morrison with Dan trailing Cory by 26 points. With points being doubled at The Nationals, Dan can still pull off a squeaker if the planets line up properly.

But, the Wicked Racing's Super Boat has not been doing too well this freshman season. Both mechanical and handling issues have been plaguing Dan and Cara the entire season, but they are still hanging in there and will be running head-to head with Cory in Albany.

The surprise performer in the class—Okay, maybe it's not really THAT much of a surprise—is Dean Lautenschlager in the severely underpowered SlipStream machine.

In spite of the lack of power, Dean has managed to win two races this season and has always been in the hunt in the others. Dean could easily spoil someone's party in Albany and will be a major player in 2011 with a rumored twin-turbo!

Psycho Racing's Todd Gary has been working the kinks out of his E-85 engine and should also be a serious contender in 2011.

The massive, super-charged monster of Tsunami Racing's Lee Rice will be a player in 2011. Lee was forced to miss two races this season due to engine problems. If he can run all the races in 2011, he's destined to battle for a chunk of championship iron and payout.

A big THANK YOU to the community of East Wenatchee for welcoming the USSBA to your wonderful town. In this writer's jaunts around town to the local restaurants, stores, gas stations and motels, everyone we very friendly, knew about the races and were happy to see us.

Thank you and we look forward to a couple of return visits in 2011 to Thunder Swamp.

See associated articles in the Wenatchee World newspaper that also covered the event:

First Mud by Mike Irwin

ALBANY, Oregon (July 24, 2010) — 100mph Super Boats down the long Albany straights and some very, very tight racing thrilled the fans at the Field of Dreams on Saturday.

Albany is by far the largest track in the series. Albany is the USSBA's Talladega—if you will—where high speeds, lots of action and very tight racing are the name of the game.

In the Super Boat class it was Dean Lautenschlager racing with his daughter, Loreal, navigating for the first time, taking his second win in a row in the amazingly smooth Slipstream hull.

Doug Hendrickson and Hannah Macke increased their lead in Group A-400 with another perfect weekend claiming fast qualify and the win.

But, the highlight of the day was watching Dillon Brown-Cummings claim his first win, with many more to come I am sure, in the Super-Modified class. Dillon's Mom, Teri, navigates for Dillon.

Dillon was on his game today and driving the #99 boat belonging to his Dad, but powered by Dillon's motor. And even though he had two DNF's in the Qualifying rounds on this extra-long, 37-turn rotation, his driving was smooth and nearly flawless.

There was a long, fast right sweeper on the Southwest corner of the track that was giving nearly everyone fits because of the back-wave action caused by their own boat as they negotiated the corner. Many drivers were hopping in the air with some getting smacked against the edge of the island because of it.

I asked Dillon after the race, "Everyone had problems at the the right sweeper except you. You were glass smooth through that corner. How did you make that happen?" Dillon replied simply, "You just had to be faster than the waves."

And that he was. The only faster boats than Dillon and Teri were The Super Boats.

Qualifying

Dillon Cummings ripped off a 73.280 run right off the trailer and then a 72.921 between two missed-turn DNFs and snagged the Super-Mod pole without much argument from anyone else. The only two faster boats would be Morrison and Johnson in the Super Boat class in which Morrison claimed the pole there.

Doug Hendrickson took the A-400 pole with a 74.603 followed by Gahr and Olson.

The DNFs (Qualifying)

Round 1

Scott Saxton and Frank Farrand, from Canada, had a nasty little flip on their first lap putting the out for the day. Scott was a little slow getting out of the boat, but was okay. Boat was not.

Cory Johnson smacked an island and flew into the spinout pool, effectively ending that lap.

Dave Lowney and Trevor Lemour had a gentle little spinout onto an island.

Round 2

Scott Ackerman/Mike Halls smacked an island and did a pirouette not unlike Cory's dance steps in round 1. Yup. Right into the entrance of the spinout pool.

Todd Gary pushed a rod through his oil pan and was (obviously) done for the day.

Doug Olson visited an island and rookie Jason Nash had engine problems that ended their short day.

The crash of the day was a very violent ride over two islands and a flip for Cory Johnson and Gary McNeal in their Super Boat right in front of the announcing tower. The ended up upside down on the dirt and both walk away and would return to run in the finals!

Round 3

Murray Powell and Randy Wild pinballed off a few islands but hung with it only to later beach it and DNF.

It was Ackerman again hot dogging it through the sweeper, bouncing of the bank a few times, but coming in with a 76.911 time! That was awesome to watch.

Morrison's boat sounded weird as it finished this run.

Round 4

Robert Cox and Amanda Vestal spun out, but saved it, pinballed off a couple of islands and then finally beached it.

It was Murray Powell spinning out, recovering, smacking an island and finally DNF'ing.

Lee Rice had terminal engine problems (broken header) in the final round and would not be able to make the finals.

Morrison DNS'd this round.

The Finals

Super Boats

Dan Morrison and the Wicked Racing crew could not get get the boat started and what sounded weird in Q3 was the engine sucking a valve. So that left Dad & Daughter Lautenschlager and Johnson/McNeal to battle it out for the checkers.

Dean ripped a 70.611 and Cory pulled a 70.938 in round 1. It was Cory taking the lead with a 68.530 over Deano's 69.630. In round 3 Cory lead out on a screaming lap and then suffered engine problems. Dean and Loreal finished the day with their fastest lap of the day and took the trophy home.

That was the second win in a row for Dean and the first win for Loreal on her maiden race as Dean's navigator.

A special note here regarding Pat Hampl's new F1 hull and re-done Viper V10 motor. It sounded great and is looking to be fast but there were just too many bugs to make it through the day. I am sure the Psycho Racing team will have this beats ready for St. John.

Group A-400

Though points leader, Doug Hendrickson and Hannah Macke in the Wicked Racing #01 boat had the field covered by a second and a half, they were struggling in contrast to the first two races.

Times were off and the boat did not look like it was handling good. Doug later would explain that the boat was loose all day and he could not power through the corners.

Doug Olson would finish second on the day followed by TNT's Paul Gahr—who is now second in the points—Dale Barger, driving Jack Bright's bought while he recovers from surgery and Psycho Racing's Kyle Patrick who is having a ho-hum season in 2010.

Super-Modified

This day was created for Dillon Brown-Cummings and his Mom, Teri. No one could touch them. Cory and Gary tried but could get no closer than 6-tenths.

Tim Cummings finished third followed by Ackerman who gave the points lead to Cory. Rookie Eric Werner was fifth followed by Henderson, Cox and Hines.

Dillon has become one of our most popular drivers and seems to have a bit of a following. He drove his heart out this day and proudly took his first trophy home. We expect him to win more races, but the rest of the class will not be sitting on their laurels watching this 18-year-old sensation take the championship laying down.

See you at Webb's Slough on August 28th.

MARSING, Idaho (June 6, 2010) — Mother Nature has been a little crabby lately. Not crying global warming or climate change as we have seen this kind of weather before, but the rains the past week, leading up to Friday's climax as the teams, officials, and fans were trying to make it to the race on time were torrential to say the least.

Yours truly drove through massive rains from Vancouver, WA, through Portland into Idaho that many times drove the speeds down to 40mph! That was nothing compared to Hannah Macke driving through nearly two feet of water on the highway near Council. The road was closed not much after that.

Rookie Super Modified driver, Eric Werner had to navigate across the entire country from Florida to make the race. Flights were overbooked, and the weather affected his flights coming into Boise. Normally Eric is in the driver's seat when it comes to flying. He is a Navy pilot and flies an F/A-18 (generation unknown) for a living. He was on duty in Key West and was not sure if he'd be piloting the F/A-18 Jet Fighter or the Jolly Roger Jet Sprint Boat on Saturday.

Several teams could not make it to the race for a variety of reasons from weddings (not necessarily their own) to mechanical issues, or boats/engines just not being ready:

Kyle Patrick: Blown engine

Todd Gary: Wedding

Pat Hampl: Boat & Engine not ready

Lee Rice: Blown gear in supercharger

Robert Cox: Engine not ready

Darin Hartwig: Engine not ready

John Gray: Engine not ready

Dave Pfeiler: Wedding

Dennis Hughes: Unknown

But, sixteen boats did make it with four of the being from Canada! Yes, we have Cory Johnson returning and three more races, from the Fat Buddy Racing Team in some fancy looking orange and black boats competing in 2010!

As it turned out, the weather was near perfect. A pleasant 72-degrees, mostly sunny, a slight breeze to cool you off when the sun was trying to blaze and absolutely no rain. Perfect racing weather!

The Race

The course selection was very tight and the boats spent most of the day criss-crossing on the inside of the track. A nice, tight driver's course with one final sweeper at the finish.

Six rookies would grace the field:

Saxton/Farrand - Group A-400

Werner/Young - Super Modified

Powell/Farrand - Super Modified

Lowney/Lamour - Super Modified

Johnson/Kuchmak - Super Modified

Gilder/Olson - Super Modified

In the Super Boat class it was Atkinson/Teichert vs. Morrison/McGuire. Johnson/McNeil are also moving up to Super Boats but their engine was not ready and they ran a waiver run in Jack Bright's boat for points only.

Dan Morrison is now running the motor that Tom Nelson ran in this same hull a few years ago. However, the motor was given a full overhaul and is now pushing 900-plus horsepower and 700-plus torque at the crank. But, when it doesn't start, it's hard to prove all that.

Benson Atkinson ran two successful qualifying sessions, but flipped the boat in Q4 and cracked the rollbar putting him on the trailer and not being able to show for the finals.

Once Dan and the Wicked Racing crew got the boat running, it was smokin' fast and he pulled a 52.275 in Q3 setting the fastest time for the qualifying session for Super Boats.

In the Group A-400 class Olson/Gilder ripped off a 58.531 right off the trailer in Q1 and was looking good until Hendrickson/Macke's Wicked Racing boat started pulling 56's and then a 55 in Q4. 2010 champ, Jack Bright with his other son navigating this race managed a 58.352, securing the #2 spot followed by TNT's Gahr/Gahr, Canadian Fat Buddy team of Saxton/Farrand and local favorite Healy/Bernard in sixth.

In the finals, while everyone expected Rock Chucker to be right up there but it was the battle of the two Dougs. Olson/Gilder managed to squeak into the 57's in the 4-cut, but it was Wicked Racing's, and 2007/2008 champions Hendrickson/Macke pulling 55's and one 56 that brought home the trophy and kicking the monkey off their back that had them winless in 2009. The team has never looked smoother and the boat is extremely fast this year.

In the Super Modified class it was 2010 champion Johnson/McNeil that clearly lead the field pulling 57's in Q3 & Q4. Ackerman/Hall was right on his bucket with a 59 in Q4. TNT's Cummings/Cummings managed a 60 second run in Q4 and they were followed by Hines/Carriea in the beautiful Bowtie sponsored Nut Deep boat, F/A-18 pilot Werner/Young, Henderson/Sleeman, Fat Buddy teams of Powell/Farrand and Lowney/Lamour and then the Dream Team(s) of Johnson/Kuchmak and Gilder/Olson both running the 710S boat with TNT's Cummings/Fuller scoring a DNF in Q1 with two thrown rods putting them on the trailer for the day.

In the finals it was Johnson/McNeil running consistent 57's, but then they missed a corner in the inside of the track and parked their boat for the afternoon.

That put Ackerman and Cummings head to head. Ackerman was running about 2-tenths faster but then in the final clipped Cummings by over a second taking the first trophy home for his new Shotgun hull that he spent 2009 working the bugs out. It's obvious that Scott has now come to know this new boat because his driving has never been smoother.

Hines/Carriea took the bottom spot on the podium followed by Johnson/McNeil, Werner/Young, Henderson/Sleeman, Lowney/Lamour and Powell/Farrand.

The next event will be June 19th at Webb's Slough in St. John, Washington. See the race schedule page for ticket information and directions to the track. Please note that there will be a film crew that race weekend.

Seeya at Webb's Slough!

ST. JOHN, Washington (August 29, 2010) — Before yet another record breaking crowd, Cory Johnson and Gary McNeil claimed two trophies in two separate race classes on Saturday. Cory and Gary also now hold the points lead in both the Super-Modified and Super Boat classes.

But, those trophies were far from being given away by their American rivals. Cory and Gary had to race very hard and on the very edge to claim the top step of two podiums in two classes.

The weekend's events closed a perfect season at Webb's Slough where they saw their streets literally overflowing with fans at Friday's show-and-shine. There were upwards of 500-plus camping passes sold and an unofficial 4,100 fans, though it looked closer to 5,000.

But, no matter how you count it, it was an absolutely incredible day of racing and through the paddock, after the race, many of the veteran racers were saying that it was the best day of racing ever.

The racing was very close and on the ragged edge. Sometimes over the ragged edge as they navigated through the tight-twisties of Webb's Slough. And, with what looked to be an easy rotation, it would come to bite several drivers who DNF'd through the day.

Ten of eighteen teams in the Super-Modified class DNF'd in round 1 (Q1) of the qualifying session. But, at the end of the day, all teams would successfully qualify.

There were a few minor crashes, but nothing serious. The new Rookie all-girl team of Amanda Vestal and Nichole Heaton had a little off-track excursion during their first attempt at a licensing run. Later on they would experience a significant roll-over that left the two more experienced and their pretty pink boat well broken in, but not seriously damaged.

They got right back on the (pink) horse and promptly spun out by the beer garden to the delight of all the fans enjoying their adult beverages while enjoying the day of racing.

There were 28 boats and 34 teams competing in Saturday's event. One of the largest turnouts we have seen in the USSBA Racing Series in years. Lucas Oil also had their film crew present as they were filming for an upcoming On The Edge show to be broadcast on SPEED channel sometime this fall.

The most significant event of the weekend was the return of fan and paddock favorite Jack Bright Sr. to driving again after recently having successful cancer surgery about a month ago. His doctors declared him safe to race and with his navigator and son, Jack Bright Jr. riding with my wide and I to the track, it was destined to be.

Though Jack did not finish first in the Group A-400 class on Saturday, he surely finished first with all of his racing family. We did not expect to see Jack back in Rock Chucker until next year and it was heartwarming to see him out on the track racing as hard and as fast as he ever has before.

Not to mention that Announcer Guy, Bill Lundun, just loves to interview Jack. You've heard of people placing a "spin" on things. Well, Jack owns spin.

John Gray also returned after a long absence due to a severely blown engine in 2009. John got right back in it and made it into the elimination rounds. Good to see you back, John.

Super-Modified - The Top 8

In qualifying Cory Johnson topped the field with a 46.626 besting TNT Racing's Dillon Cummings who was coming fresh off his first win at Albany last month. Robert Cox qualified a very impressive third, followed by local favorite Scott Ackerman, F-18 pilot and rookie racer Eric Werner and in sixth was Tim Cummings.

Eric Werner was breaking in his new motor he recently secured from Dan Morrison. This is the same motor that won Dan the Super-Mod trophy in 2008.

Also notable is that Tim and son, Dillon, have been double-teaming the #99 boat since Tim blew his engine at Marsing earlier this season.

John Gray qualified seventh and Rick Henderson claimed the final spot into the elimination rounds.

Super-Mod Eliminations

It was Rookie Eric Werner who made a wrong turn. The same wrong turn that many drivers were making all day. But, in the eliminations, one wrong turn ends your day, and Eric's goal of reaching at least the 4-cut were dashed. Look for this driver to come back more determined than ever.

Cummings, Gray and Henderson were eliminated in the 8-cut while Cory and Dillon battled each other at the top of the pack.

Cory pulled nothing less that 46 second times in the eliminations while the other languished. Robert Cox went on the trailer with a DNF and Ackerman ended his day with a 48.

Dillon did step it up by ripping off his day's fastest 46.649, but Cory was a man on a mission and bested Dillon's time by three-plus tenths to take home the biggest trophy in the Super-Mod class.

Group A-400 - The Top 8

2009 Champion Jack Bright returned after a one-race layoff determined to stir things up.

He did.

Points leader and two-time champion Doug Hendrickson was racing for the first time without longtime navigator Hannah Macke, due to injury.

Many thought this would be the end to Doug's determination to again win the championship after finishing a dismal last in 2009. They thought he'd choke.

He didn't.

It was once again Wicked Racing's Doug Hendrickson claiming his fourth pole of the season, in as many races. Jack Bright was right on his heals, though about 1.4 seconds back.

Kyle Patrick found new life in his boat after rebuilding his pump and qualified third, running head-to-head with Jack's times.

Paul Gahr was just a tick behind Kyle, followed by Dale Barger, double-teaming Jack's boat and Doug Olson, who was not have a good day and ended his day with mechanical issues.

Scott Saxton and Lee Rice, who also was competing in the Super Boat class, completed the field.

Group A-400 Eliminations

Doug Olson was out first with mechanical problems and we hope to see him at East Wenatchee next weekend. Dale Barger DNF'd and trailered his half of Rock Chucker for the day.

Kyle Patrick's pump plugged up in the middle of his round ending his day. He was not a happy camper and looked to be a shoe-in for the 4-cut until sucking goobers into the Scott Jet pump and only managing a 68-second run. Lee Rice could only manage a 55 and that would not cut the mustard in this group but he claimed the fifth spot.

Hendrickson pulled fast, comfortable 46-second runs all through the eliminations consistently keeping a 1.5 to 2-second buffer from his nearest rival, Jack Bright.

Cara McGuire's navigation was spot on for Doug and no one else could get too close.

Jack finished second with Paul Gahr third and Fat Buddy Racing's Scott Saxton an impressive fourth after having some not so impressive showings this season.

Super Boats

After visiting fences and telephone poles in the first race at Webb's Slough in June, this was a new Cory Johnson. More focused. A little less wild. And it showed in the times.

Cory topped qualifying followed by a struggling Dan Morrison and Dean Lautenschlager. Lee Rice, Todd Gary and Benson Atkinson were not able to manage times fast enough to keep up with top three.

In fact, Dan Morrison was lucky to make the finals. Again, stymied by engine problems, they had a mushroomed push-rod. Dan called up Don Smith, a former USSBA racer and Don had a big block motor sitting in an old International Harvester hay-hauler that he was "parting out".

Dan's crew drove over to Don's place, grabbed a push rod and installed it into the motor giving Dan the opportunity to make it to the finals!

Super Boat Eliminations

In the 4-cut Lee Rice blasted a 46 with his incredible, super-charged, straight-piped, make-your-ears-bleed Screamin' Eagle! This boat is loud!

Dean Lautenschlager was then up and was on a super-fast lap when he clipped a bank on the front straight and broke something on the reverse-bucket. A broken reverse buck on a jet boat means the brakes are on and you are not going anywhere. This breaks Dean's two-win comeback race streak.

Dan pulls a very respectable 43.525 and then Cory smokes a 42.172! The first 42-second run of the day, and well into the 42-second times.

Dan then starts the 4-cut with a 42.231! Lee was four seconds off the pace and was put on the trailer for the day, but still drawing many cheers from the crowd.

In the final Cory then drove the lap of his life with an show-stopping 42.070! The crowd jumped to its feet!

Dan, in the Wicked Racing #01 boat came out determined. He launched off the line and headed to the top of the track at full speed in his methonal burning beast. Running a little too fast into the kink the boat bounced, losing precious tenths.

Pushing harder he came around the lower island, bounced, clipped the shore and ran onto the beach right in front of a cheering, screaming crowd at the beer garden.

Racing can't get much better than that!

Or can it?

Find out at Thunder Swap in East Wenatchee on September 4th and then the National Finals, where ALL points are doubled, in Albany on September 18th where the champions are crowned!

Get your tickets now. See you at the track.

SAINT JOHN, Washington (June 20, 2010) —