Summerfest at Sumerduck Dragway
Featuring “The Ironman Classic”
August 15, 2009
By Lisa King

With the parking area packed at Sumerduck Dragway, racers were anxiously awaiting the start of the Saturday night races featuring the coveted “Ironman” on the line.  The annual “Summerfest” race showcases four classes of racing. Super Pro, Modified and Top Sportsman are the bracketed classes that are eligible for the Ironman honors.  The additional class is a “run what you brung” heads up race.

The three Ironman winners this year actually had something in common.  That was the fact that this was the first Ironman for each of them.  All three have earned numerous track championships and Big Buck race wins but the Ironman had managed to elude all three talented racers.

The Top Sportsman race has become a very popular venue in the Virginia racing community.  It was only fitting that Sumerduck Dragway provided them with a chance at competing for their own trophy.  The 2009 recipient is Jerry Williams. Williams driving his 98’ M&M Chassis Kraft Monte Carlo (modified by Jerry Bickel) faced off with Travis Housh in the finals.  Williams dialed a 4.87 to Housh’s 4.88.  Williams used his .507 starting line advantage to push Housh one under and turn the win light on in his own lane.

 Williams has the longest racing history of the three winners as he has been competing since 1973.  He didn’t credit his racing start to anyone in particular but just said he had always loved hotrods.  He purchased a 1964 Chevy II after graduating college and named it “SPARE CHANGE”.  Williams said the first track he ever competed at was Fairmont in WV.  However, his early years were spent mostly at Mason-Dixon and 75-80 Dragways in Maryland.  He has earned numerous track championships at Mason-Dixon, 75-80, Old Dominion and Sumerduck Dragway.   Although Williams had never won an Ironman through IHRA, he did manage to win a “Wally” with NHRA in 1990 running the Division II Super Quick Series.  He received a Gold Card along with that Wally. 

When asked what was his most memorable win was he quickly answered “About 4 or 5 years ago, I was winner and runner up of a 5K top race at Sumerduck;  you only read about Scottie Richardson doing that sort of thing”

Jerry Williams said he has had the constant support of his wife Laurie throughout most of his racing career.  Due to work obligations, Laurie has not been able to attend as many races during the last year and Jerry would like to acknowledge the support of friend Gary Whalen.  Other people that have supported and/or contributed to the success of Williams racing are: Jeff Miller from Bealeton, VA for chassis setup, Wayne Rogers Transmissions, Scott Duggins with PAR Racing Engines and Don Kyle with APD.

The Superpro Ironman honors went to another Williams.  That is Troy Williams who I have always referred to as “The Virginia Troy Williams”.   Troy, based out of Warrenton, VA was piloting his 04 Miller four link dragster powered by Mauzy Racing Engines.  This final round of competition was also won on the starting line where Williams had been on his A game all night long.  The advantage allowed him to overcome opponent Gary Phares in the 7th round of competition.  Williams said his wife Tricia was going to have to find somewhere else to sleep Saturday night because the Ironman wasn’t leaving his side!  As stated before, this was the 1st Ironman for Williams.  Williams has won 3 track championships at Old Dominion Dragway and Sumerduck Dragway.  Troy also has two bracket finals wins that he can add to his racing accolades.

 

Troy Williams credits his start in racing to his wife Tricia who put a stop to his illegal street racing and encouraged him to take it to the track.  Williams’ first trip to the track was Eastside Speedway located in Waynesboro, VA in the mid 80’s.  He admitted he was hooked after his first trip.  His first race car was a 1971 Nova.  Williams is an admitted “gear head who has always loved racing”.  In his own words, Troy stated “I am very fortunate to have a supportive wife and two great kids who give up a lot to allow me time to race”. Williams is the parts and service manager at Hillwood Trailer sales which allows him to be involved with racers on a daily basis.  When asked who if anyone helped or enhanced his racing career, Williams was very quick to answer Steve Witherow Sr.  He stated that “Steve has probably taught me the most about bracket racing and one of the people I have the upmost respect for.”

This August 15th win has moved Williams a little closer to a 4th track championship as he is currently sitting in second position with only two rounds of competition separating him from the top.

Last but certainly not least is the modified Ironman winner: Chris Moren.   Moren used his 68 Dodge Dart, also known as “Poison Dart” to turn on the win light in the fierce 7th and final round of competition.  Opponent Scott Vaughn and Moren have each been in an Ironman final and came up short.  One of their dreams was going to come true.  Finals show Moren with slight .518 to a .523 reaction time and both cars running dead on their dial to give Moren a .006 MOV.  Moren said “Scott and I always have tight runs and I know I always have to be ready because Scott is always there”. 

 

Chris has the least amount of racing experience of the winners listed in this article. Moren has 10 years of racing under his belt now.  Moren has 3 track championships at Colonial Beach Dragway.  Longtime friend Terry Taylor is who Moren credits his involvement with drag racing.  Taylor’s family owned a Dodge Dealership in the small community that Chris grew up in located in King William VA.  Chris credits Terry with helping him to find his first and current race car.  Terry built Chris’ original motor and helps to maintain his current Hensley Performance Motor built by Matt Hensley out of Knoxville, Tn.   When Moren was asked who the person was that most influenced his growth in racing, he answered Jr. Carter.  Jr. Carter is the owner of Outlaw Motorsports in Ashland, VA that built the Dodge Dart into the purpose built race car that it is today.  Moren said going to Carter was “like getting a 2 for 1 deal because Carter worked on his car and his mind”.  Carter had been drag racing for many years himself and was willing to pass on his knowledge of racing and setups to Moren.  Chris admitted he wouldn’t have been able to “hold it all together without Jr and Terry”.  Chris Moren also wanted to give special thanks to the “TRACK DOCTOR” Scott Curtis.   He stated that Curtis who is the son of original track owner Roger Curtis and brother/brother in law of current track owners Joy and Mike Anderson is “second to none when it comes to staying on top of tracks changing conditions”.  

The non-bracketed – heads up race was won by Terry Dehaven when he took a huge starting line advantage to exploit opponent Kevin Fortney.