Yerger, an 18-year-old from Morrisville, N.C., picked up the big check of $100,000 by driving Humes’ white Ford Mustang to the win in Saturday’s main event. If Yerger sounds familiar, he has been one of the top IHRA Summit SuperSeries Junior Dragster racers in the country before moving to the big cars.

He was the Junior Dragster class winner at the 2021 IHRA Sportsman Spectacular presented by Moser Engineering. Using the skills that make him such a tough competitor, Yerger won on a holeshot during that race. During Saturday’s final against fellow IHRA competitor Doyle Kay from Ashville, Ala., Yerger’s .007 advantage at the start helped him trigger the win light.

Yerger became the youngest winner in the history of the World Footbrake Challenge, which doesn’t allow delay boxes or transbrakes. It was only his second weekend racing the car. Kay put forth a valiant effort, driving his familiar red Chevy II to the runner-up spot.

Other IHRA racers were among the weekend’s best.

Jake Prewitt from Cincinnati motored his green Dodge Super Bee to the win in Friday’s $10,000-to-win main event. He was .009 at the start and dead-on with his run. Virginia driver Jesse Betterton was runner-up in his white Chevy Nova. Ron Boyce picked up $3,000 in the Gamblers’ race.

Kevin Pollard from Staunton, Virginia put his purple Camaro to the win in Sunday’s $10,000 finale. He had a .013 reaction time and was .005 under his dial-in in a double breakout. Jake Clayton from Ooltewah, Tenn., finished runner-up in his red Ford Mustang.

Congratulations to all the IHRA racers for their success in the World Footbrake Challenge race. We look forward to seeing many of them competing in the IHRA Summit Team Finals over the next few weeks.