Edwards & Young Racing – Seattle & Kent, WA.

This was the BIG bracket race of 2012 with Pacific Raceways hosting the Division 6 E.T. Finals. The top Sportsman bracket racers throughout Division 6 came together under one “roof” to battle it out for the top dog honors throughout the long, 3-day event which featured over 500 entries!

On Friday was the Gambler Race, Saturday began the Race of Champions featuring the very best in the division racing for a shot to go to Pomona (this race was not completed until Sunday afternoon), and Sunday featured all entires running in their respectiive brackets to collect points for their track for the Track Championship.

Courtesy of the Seattle Times, here’s the final round results from the Track Championship in which Pacific Raceways finished in 5th place:

Super Pro Finals:

Rob Asbury (Yakima) 11.218 @ 119.01 mph defeated Gary Erickson (Portland) red light.

Pro Finals:

Scott Lang (Beaverton, Or.) 12.133 @ 104.42 defeated Nicholas Shepherd (Tigard, Or.) 10.669 @ 116.01.

Sportsman Finals:

Jerry Durrant Jr. (Oregon City, Or.) 13.966 @ 86.11 mph defeated Karl Hart (Woodburn, Or.) 13.436 @ 94.61 mph.

Motorcycle/Sled Finals:

Jon Jenkins (Richmond, B.C.) 8.727 @ 145.38 mph defeated Jake Havens (Mill Creek) 8.902 @ 144.09 mph.

Woodburn won the Team Championship!

Race of Champions Final Round Results

Super Pro Finals:

Larry DeYoung (Livingston, Mont.) 9.237 @ 150.80 defeated Greg Rollin (Portland, Or.) 11.251 @ 114.36 mph.

Pro Finals:

Robert Steffen (Olympia) 10.559 @ 126.18 mph defeated Mark Kidd (Twin Falls, Idaho) 9.189 @ 135.13 mph.

Sportsman Finals:

Derrick Jackson (McMinnville, Or.) 12.851 @ 96.97 mph defeated Duston Wurtz (Meridian, Idaho) 11.995 @ 109.79 mph.

More coverage:

Sportsman Stars Shine in E.T. Finals – Pacific Raceways – September 3, 2012

DeYoung, Steffen, Jackson and Havens Heading to Pomona for National Championship – Bracket Racing Northwest – September 4, 2012

WOODBURN TAKES TEAM TITLE; FOUR HEADING TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP – CompetitionPlus – September 5, 2012

Initial Report from Paul in Sportsman:

Friday Gambler Race: 

Ran 12.52 @ 106.36 – 1218 density altitude with a slight bog that I didn’t really notice but Chris & Dad did so thanks for catching that guys.

Round 1: Ran 12.524 on 12.56 dial @ 102.75 – 1582 density altitude, just took too much stripe when I had a .035 rt advantage.  This was a rookie mistake that I truly learned from I tell you that.
 
Saturday Race of Champions:
 
Ran 12.553 @ 106.35 – 965 density altitude, I was in high gear way early probably due to tire spin as we expected a mid 12.40 pass.

Round 1: Ran 12.649 on 12.49 dial @ 96.23 – 1518 density altitude, I had a stellar .008 rt which led me to catch my opponent really early and then just stayed out on them by a fender or so as I wasn’t going to make the same mistake this time!

Round 2: Ran 12.568 on 12.54 dial @ 105.05 – 1805 density altitude, I had another good .034 rt but my opponent had a .033 rt and just couldn’t catch him as he ran 12.891 on a 12.890 dial.  I truly thought I had this race too as I believe he pedaled before the stripe to keep from breaking out.
 
Sunday, Track Champion Race:
 
Round 1: Ran 12.742 on 12.47 dial @ 96.03 – 622 density altitude, I had a huge rt advantage once again so I caught my opponent early once again and just paced them.

Round 2: Ran 12.619 on 12.50 dial @ 97.87 – 1600 density altitude, I had a great .024 rt but low & behold my opponent cut a perfect .000 rt but just couldn’t run his number so I caught him early and paced him like in previous races.

Round 3: Ran 12.497 on 12.54 dial @ 105.94 – 1632 density altitude, I went red by -.017 and my opponent had a great .018 rt
 
Final Analysis:
 
I think overall I was pretty happy in how I drove on day 2 & 3 but would love to have day 1 back as I think I could’ve gone quite a few rounds.  You learn a thing or two at races like this as I need to work on my top end finishes and reducing my red lights as much as possible as you can’t win if you go red.  I think we are heading in the right direction with me trying to focus on the bottom bulb once staged as if I continue to do that I should theoretically never go red. 

Thank you to Torri for letting me race her car this year once again and thank you to my crew chiefs Chris & Dad for getting me a good setup for the season.  Also, I would like to thank Barry Hobson, Justin Jung, Mom, my wife Melodie and everyone else that helped this year as it was a true team effort! – Paul

Chris in Super Pro:

Here’s the results of the Gambler Race on Friday, and Sunday’s Track Championship Race.

On Friday Chris lost to John Ermish in the Gambler Race when we broke out running a 10.445 on a 10.47.  Chris went down in the 1st round on Sunday running a 10.409 on a 10.40 dial-in but turned the tree red with a so close -.002 light!  Chris was disappointed in the results this weekend but Super Pro is BRUTAL!!  You have to swing for the fence on every pass!

Justin & Paul did an excellent job picking the dial-in as we had to dial-in and run from the data we had with no qualifying hits this day. Our fellow racers from PR did an excellent job in Super Pro until the 3rd round where the team went down in flames to the tough competition from the other tracks.

I’m very proud of my sons, Chris & Paul for having an excellent season and here’s a few pictures from the event – Roger 

“Old Gold”

“Old Gold’s” companion car!!

(L to R): Paul & Chris Young, Justin Jung, Jeff Warnke & Dale Williams

Jeff & Tom Warnke’s Nova

Paul in staging lanes

Chris in staging lanes on Sunday

Pacific Raceways “Pirates”

August 25th was the last points race at Pacific Raceways this year and basically a tune-up race for the Division 6 E.T. Finals at PR this coming weekend.

Chris did well in Super Pro putting together two excellent packages to defeat Fred Hoffman in the first round and Randy Brown in the second. Against Hoffman, Chris ran a 10.441 on a 10.44 with a .011 light. Against Brown, Chris ran a 10.426 on a 10.42 with a .002 light.

Then we were paired with Rick Hindrichs in his hard-charging Nova and Rick cut the perfect .000 reaction time to Chris’ solid .016 giving Hindrichs the win. But an outstanding night by Chris with the help of Paul picking the dial-ins. Chris came on strong in the latter half of the season and finished 9th in the Super Pro points this season collecting 233 points. Mark Cavar earned the Super Pro 2012 Track Championship running away with it gathering 411 points!

Paul is having a difficult time becoming simpatico with the tree in the latter part of the 2012 season turning the tree red in the 1st round in Sportsman. No one is more disappointed then Paul but we’ll put this behind us and move forward!!  However, Paul finished in 4th place in the points which is VERY respectable collecting 289 points! Gene Furman won the 2012 Sportsman Track Championship with 362 points!

So it is on to the E.T. Finals during the Labor Day weekend and team Pacific Raceways has a strong team!!  Should be fun! – Roger

2012 Pacific Raceways Track Champions:

Super Pro – Mark Cavar, Pro – Scott Lewsley, Sportsman – Gene Furman, Motorcycle – Joe Lind, Jr. Dragster Lightning – Amber Arthur, Jr. Dragster Thunder – Katie Kapler, PRDC – Jacob Havens

Cavar Nets Super Pro Crown; Lewsley Pro Champ – Pacific Raceways – August 27, 2012 

This was the last points race at Pacific Raceways that would set their team for the upcoming Division 6 E.T. Finals on Labor Day weekend.

Paul entered this race in a very respectable 4th place in the Sportsman standings and Chris was in 17th place in the very tough Super Pro bracket. An important evening for Chris as the top 16 from Super Pro make the team and the top 10 from Sportsman, and a vital points race for Paul to have a shot at defending his Pacific Raceways 2011 Sportsman Track Championship and to qualify for the Race of Champions at the E.T. Finals.  Both entered this race very much in control of their own destiny.

The WCSA quickest doorslammers here in the Northwest were also running their Bad Dog Shootout at Pacific this weekend. In a Friday night qualifying session, Joe Loch ran the left lane after an oil down and the track somehow forgot to pick up some cones at approximately the 1,000-foot mark causing damage to the nose of his car. Saturday morning Barry Hobson & Chris were hard at  work to make emergency repairs so Joe could run eliminations.

Repairing the nose on Joe Loch’s Cavalier – Paul Young photo

More updates as the evening unfolds! – Roger

6:51 pm update:

The 60′ times are off tonight in the heat of the day. Paul reports because of the low car count the track has decided to give everyone two qualifying hits. Track conditions should improve as the sun begins to set behind the trees.

1st Round: 

First up is Pro bracket, then Super Pro followed by Sportsman, then Motorcycle.

Chris won the 1st round in Super Pro with a 10.487 on a 10.48 dial to defeat Steve Beggerly. Steve was in 12th place in the points going into this race and with this win Chris just went around Steve in the standings.  

Paul won his 1st round in Sportsman running a 12.66 on a 12.60 dial. The guys are off to a great start this evening. 

2nd Round:

Chris won this round running a 10.464 on a 10.46. That’s 31 very valuable points in his column so far tonight.

Paul lost in the 2nd round with a – .001 red light! He ran it thru running a 12.589 on a 12.61 dial. We’ll need to wait and see where he stands in the Sportsman points when they are posted next week but he should certainly make the team. We’re hoping he has earned enough points to make the Race of Champions.

3rd Round:

Chris lost in this round when he broke out running a 10.409 on 10.45. Like Paul, we’ll need to wait for the points update to see where he stands.

Once again our thanks to Justin Jung for all his help this evening!  We appreciate the assistance!

I will update this post when Pacific Raceways updates the points. – Roger

UPDATE AUGUST 14th 2012:

Edwards & Young has TWO cars in the E.T. Finals!

Chris is currently tied for 11th place in Super Pro with 200 points and made the Pacific Raceways team for the E.T. Finals.

Paul is currently in 4th place in Sportsman and eligible for the Race of Champions at the E.T. Finals. This will be the 2nd consecutive year Paul has qualified for the Race of Champions.

GREAT JOB GUYS!! – Dad

After the last race, we heard a “clicking” sound in the motor when cranking that was in rhythm with the valve train. To be safe we decided to pull the old motor and take a look.

Thanks to Chris & Paul, today we got the 331 out of the ’57 and torn completely down. We found a bad lifter bore in the front of the engine that was damaged since the motor was put together 12 runs back. We have three lifter bores that need to be bushed and we’ll get the engine back together to race again in 2013!

My profound thanks to my sons & Pam for all your very hard work today on a HOT day! – Roger

Update: September 26th 2012

Thanks to DG Machine, we have the lifter bores repaired and the engine back together!  We removed the restrictors to the lifter galleys and increased the oil pressure slightly. Hopefully the problem is resolved.

We are also replacing our old Moroso stud girdle with the stronger Shafiroff double-bar stud girdle that we have been using on the 406. – Roger

Rolling ‘EZ’ with ISKY Cams – Drag Racing Online – Posted September 27, 2012

331 back together, September 2012

Old Moroso single-bar stud girdle (top)
New Shafiroff double-bar girdle (bottom)

Update: October 21, 2012

Chris, Pam and I got the engine back in the ’57 on Saturday. Chris also got the transmission and driveline back in the car. On Sunday Chris repaired the cracked 3-4 shifter rod and we got the shifter installed and adjusted. Don’t ask me how you fracture a 7/16″ heat-treated shifter rod but it was.

Earlier in the week I reinstalled our MSD Timing Control which will give us more flexibility for the starting line conditions we face. We can also advance the timing in high humidity conditions to help compensate for the loss in horsepower.  

Now we’re basically down to installing the carbs, headers, radiator and the engine will be ready to fire. – Roger

LONG 5-speed shifter

Update: October 25, 2012

We now have the headers, and radiator installed. I had to replace the primary fuel bowl in the front carburetor due to the threads pulling on the banjo fitting which is not uncommon. Just add some fuel, coolant & connect the battery and it is ready to fire and set the timing!

New 660 primary fuel bowl with old float, baffle, needle & seat, bounce spring & accelerator pump installed.

Update – October 27, 2012:

Today we fired the ’57 and set the ignition timing. All systems look good!  We’ll pull the rockers off while it sits during the winter. New shoulder harness in the early Spring and we should be good for 2013!

On Friday the 27th, we took the Chevelle to the Goodguys race at Pacific Raceways. Big crowds and exciting racing for all involved with many great vintage cars putting on a great show. Without a doubt, the old cars bring out the fans!

Chris’ wagon was running in “Comp” along with many other local cars from Super Pro. We got unceremoniously dumped in the first round when we broke-out running a 10.439 on a 10.44 dial !

Here’s a few pictures we took:

2012 Summer Olympics underway:

NBC is providing the coverage for the 2012 Olympic games. Keep up with all the events here!

Saturday Bracket Race: Pacific Raceways

Tonight Chris is running in Super Pro and Paul in Torri’s Tempest in Sportsman down to the next of the last race to make the team at Pacific Raceways.  Paul was in 3rd place in the Sportsman standings going into this race making this a very important race.  – Roger

1st qualifying hit:

Chris: 10.44 @ 126 mph — Paul: 12.567 @ 106 mph 

2nd qualifying hit: 

Chris: 10.451 @ 126.22 mph  — Paul: 12.553 @ 105.96 mph 

Chris leaving the starting line on July 28th 2012. Jim Doyle photo

The PR crew is now dragging and prepping the starting line for the 1st round of eliminations.

1st round of eliminations: 

Chris defeated Dale Green running a 10.436 on a 10.43 dial and also beat Dale on the tree. This is a big win for Chris as Dale is an outstanding racer!

Paul lost to Jason Biscay running a 12.527 on 12.52. Biscay cut an outstanding .003 light. However, there are two more points races remaining for Paul to successfully defend his 2011 Pacific Raceways Sportsman Track Championship.  But at this point he is well in the hunt to make the team finals and likely to have another opportunity to race in the Race of Champions. The next race on August 11th will tell the story regarding the E.T. Finals, but the race on August 25th will count for the Track Championships!!

Paul just reported there is a huge oil down at the moment at 9:57 pm.  Track curfew is 11:00. No chance of getting this complete race in the books.

2nd round of eliminations:

Chris is paired against Dave Wakefield, the battle of the blue Chevelle’s! 

Chris just defeated Dave running a 10.405 on a 10.39 dial.

3rd round of eliminations:

Chris just won the 3rd round running a 10.41 on a 10.39  good for the win!!!!! That will be all for this race, the curfew has hit and Chris was driving very well this evening. And our thanks to Justin Jung for his help at the track tonight!!

Commentary: I do have to wonder when Pacific Raceways will ever move up the opening time for their evening drag racing events. Too few races this year have been completed which is unfair to the drag racers participating there.

UPDATE: More day races at Pacific Raceways in 2013! – July 30th 2012

On Sunday I sent an e-mail to Tracie Brandenburg, General Manager at Pacific Raceways voicing our concerns regarding there have been far too many incomplete races this season.

This afternoon Tracie gave me a call and the track is listening! They are planning to hold more day races in 2013 to resolve the issue and asked that we help spread the word! – Roger

PDF: Copy of my e-mail to Pacific Raceways dated July 29, 2012

Next weekend, August 3-5th, the big boys come to Pacific Raceways for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 25th Annual NHRA Northwest Nationals as part of the Western Swing.

The last bracket points race is slated for the following Saturday, August 11th which will decide the team for Pacific Raceways at the Division 6 Team Finals on Labor Day weekend. – Roger