Winston-Salem, NC, August 17, 2009 - The All Harley Drag Racing Association (AHDRA) returned to Bristol Dragway for the Rush "Thunder in the Valley" on August 8-9, 2009.

With over 220 registered racers, the chase for the 2009 Screamin' Eagle Championship Series titles has kicked into high gear!

Not only was the competition heating up, but the forecast for the weekend was, as well - not too much of a surprise for any of the racers at an AHDRA event this year. The endurance and dedication of the racers and their teams has proven their love for this sport, and the family that you have within the AHDRA even in these changing times.

The competition over the weekend was fierce in all sixteen classes of competition. As elimination day arrived and two bikes went down the track with only one returning, the top five competitors in almost all of the classes changed the points standing with every pass they made. This left only two AHDRA Screamin' Eagle Championship Series events left in the chase for the 2009 championship titles.

Check out all the exciting action from the AHDRA Rush Thunder in the Valley at Bristol Dragway!

Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel winner - Doug Horne

In Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel, Joey Sternotti of West Collingswoode Heights, NJ, riding for Ray Price Racing, qualified first with a 6.309/220 mph.

With a weekend off from the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, Doug Horne of Aberdeen, MD, tapped his first win in Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel.

On Saturday morning, hard work paid off. Mike Romine and Rex Harris had worked all spring and summer at various races and exhibitions to develop a combination with the transmission for Horne's bike. With the first qualifying pass, all their efforts paid off with a 6.49 - good enough for the #1 spot for Horne.

In round two, Horne ran a 6.55, which moved him to the #2 spot. In round three, he ran in the next-to-the-last pair for Top Fuel bikes with a 6.45, moving him to #1. But Joey Sternotti, on the Ray Price Harley Davidson bike waiting to run his final qualifying run, lay down a 6.30 at 220.01 to regain the #1 spot for Sunday. Doug sat at #2 for his first Top Fuel eliminations on Sunday.

Sunday morning brought much warmer and more humid conditions. Crew Chief Rex Harris, armed with six runs down the track on Saturday, prepared Horne's Top Fuel and Pro Fuel bikes for what was hoped would be a long day of racing. In Horne's first round of Top Fuel eliminations he faced Derrick Nelson. Doug left first and ran a 6.49 at 210 mph for low ET of the first round. In the second round, he was up against his mentor and bike builder Mike Romine on the Salt Lake City Harley-Davidson. Doug left first with a 0.031 reaction to Mike's 0.098/6.54 package for the win to advance to his first semifinal appearance. In the semi-finals, Doug faced Steve Dorn on the Latus Harley-Davidson bike. Doug left first with a 0.027 reaction time and clocked a 6.43 at 217 mph to Steve's 6.78 at 183 mph, which advanced Doug to his first Top Fuel final against Tracey Kile, the #4 qualifier. In the finals, Doug again left first, laying down a 6.44 at 208 mph to Tracey's 8.37, for his first Screamin' Eagle Top Fuel win!

The hard work of Rex Harris, Mike Romine, and Patty Romine made all of this possible. They really laid the groundwork for a successful weekend. Doug would like to thank Chesapeake Harley-Davidson, Energy One Clutches, Red Line Oil, Romine Racing, Rex Harris Rocket Management, Cecil County Dragway, and Maryland Portable Concrete. He plans to compete at the Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Jim McClure Nationals at Rockingham Dragway, October 9-11, 2009.

Rush Pro Fuel winner - Tommy Sloan

In Rush Pro Fuel, Doug Horne from Aberdeen, MD, riding for Horne Racing, qualified #1 with a 6.668/205 mph.

Tommy Sloan and the BMC Racing team of Piedmont, SC, had no easy day of racing. He started off the day against the #5 qualifier, Mark Cox, and advanced to the semi-finals to be paired up with Horne, the national champion. Horne had problems with his bike's timing system at about the 330 mark, and Sloan advanced to the finals to face Chris Streeter and the Lake Erie Racing team of Cleveland, OH. Chris ran an impressive .095/6.805/184 mph, but Tommy got a holeshot with a pass of .031/6.844/192 mph and took the win.

Sloan thanked his sponsors: John Portillo, Aggregate Haulers, Green Harley-Davidson, Alamo Hot Rod Parts, W.P. Machinery, and Track Pro.

Verve Pro Stock winner - Shaun Reno

In Verve Drag Racing.com Pro Stock, Shawn Reno of Hayes, VA, riding for the Head Blade Race Team, qualified first with an 8.214/158 mph.

Reno was on a mission to snag a fourth consecutive win in the Verve Pro Stock class. He met George Futch from Culpeper, VA in their first round of eliminations and won with a .059/8.325/159 mph against Futch's .042/9.247/140 mph. Reno then advanced to the semifinals and ran a .086/8.264/153 mph for the win against John Marinelli from Debary, FL, who ran a .069/8.650/152 mph.

In the finals, Reno scored the win with a pass of .002/8.332/158 mph against Danny Worth from Blue Springs, MO, riding for Blue Springs Harley-Davidson, who ran a .095/14.546/52 mph.

Reno thanked his sponsors: HeadBlade Ultimate Head Care, Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson, Southside Harley-Davidson, S & S Cycle, MSD, and CP Pistons.

Pro Drag winner - Chuck Jones

In AHDRA Pro Drag, the #1 qualifier, Chuck Jones from St. Petersburg, FL, riding for Mid-Continent Racing, qualified with an 8.915/149 mph.

Chuck also nabbed the win in AHDRA Pro Drag with a .185/7.463/178 mph against Gary Stroud and the Gary Stroud Racing team of Valparaiso, IN, who ran a .124/7.618/166.05 mph. This was the third win for Jones in the AHDRA Pro Drag class and gave him a big lead in the points chase over Scott Truett.

Chuck thanked his sponsors, Mid-Continent Racing and Mike Bahnmaier.

Rush Pro Gas winner - Dale Raudenbush

In Rush Pro Gas the #1 qualifier was Dale Raudenbush from Macungie, PA, riding for Thiel's Wheels. He qualified with a 7.359/179 mph.

Raudenbush commented, "It wasn't as easy as it looked! Showing up for only our second race of the year felt great. We showed up ready to go, but on the first qualifying pass a wire broke off the ignition in high gear. We didn't hurt it any so out we went for the second round. But I couldn't get it in third gear and aborted, and bent two shift forks. Went out for the third round, and again I couldn't get it in third gear, but it went to fourth and we finished up with the #1 spot."

"That #1 spot gave me a bye in the first round. Lucky for us that we had a bye because in that first round we destroyed the transmission when I tried to shift into third. Again the luck went my way: the second round was skipped for our class and it gave John and his brothers just enough time to rebuild the trans. Hats off to the Miller brothers - they had all the parts and the expertise of the great Jon Miller (they sure make me look good!). We went out for the third round and ran our best time of the weekend - a 7.25," he said.

The finals really looked easy as Jay Wagner from Warsaw, IN, riding for Maverick Racing, didn't make the finals because of a broken motorcycle on his bye run and he couldn't make the call. Next time, Jay, just break the beam, not the bike! Raudenbush won with a .061/7.276/180 mph.

He thanked his sponsors - Thiel's Wheels, Jon Miller, Miller Lite, Autolite, McCullough Industries, Jon, Parker, Mike, Scott, Logan, Donna1, Donna2, Alecia, and Kaylee - for making it a great weekend. Also a BIG thanks to Rush Racing Products.

K&K Marine Pro Modified winner - Bob "Doc" Goodwin

In K & K Marine Pro Modified, Bob "Doc" Goodwin from Tupelo, MS, riding for Goodwin Chiropractic, qualified #1 with an 8.915/149 mph.

He also won the finals on a solo pass with a .016/8.857/148 mph against Russ Johnson from South Bend, IN, and the Johnson Racing team. Johnson broke and was unable to make the call in the finals.

Goodwin said, "This has been a wonderful year! Steve Allstaedt-SA Racing can sure make one run. I have been blessed!"

He thanked his sponsors: Goodwin Chiropractic, SA Racing, and Foster Harley-Davidson.

Right Quick Street Pro winner - Lou Gerencer

In Right Quick Street Pro, Mike Roberts from Clinton, OH, riding for Bandit Racing, qualified #1 with a 9.041/145 mph.

Lou Gerencer of Elkhart, IN, scored a holeshot win with a .065/9.091/148 mph against Roberts, who ran a .157/9.058/142 mph. This was Gerencer's second win of the season in Right Quick Street Pro and put him in the current points lead over Roberts for the championship.

Gerencer thanked his sponsors: Simeris Tavern, Coach Guard, Hoosier Harley-Davidson, and Comp Cams.

Bison/Vreeland's Harley-Davidson Super Gas winner - Chris Sansevere

In Bison Racing/Vreeland's Super Gas it was Jeff Stevens from Bloomington, IN, riding for Do-Rock Racing, who qualified first with a 9.702/134 mph.

Holeshot Racing's Chris Sansevere, from Palm City, FL, won the first round Sunday morning against Brian Macalister from Yorkville, OH and then got a bye to advance to the quarterfinals, against Bob Drapp from Winter Haven, FL. Sansevere scored a holeshot win against Drapp and made it to the finals.

Sansevere then won with a .085/9.797/137 mph against Scott Kirkpatrick from Newellenton, SC, riding for All American Company. Kirkpatrick posted a .108/9.682/135 mph.

Sansevere thanked Toyota of Stuart, Holeshot Cycles, Gateway Drywall, Severe Cycles, his sponsors, and his wife and kids.

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod winner - Lou Gerencer

In Screamin' Eagle V-Rod, Jim Sweet from Osceola, IN, riding for Sweet Racing, qualified with a 9.547/142 mph for the #1 spot.

Lou Gerencer from Elkhart, IN, took home his second win of the weekend (Street Pro & V-Rod) with .108/9.501/142 mph against Sweet, who ran a .246/10.096/117.17 mph. This was Gerencer's second win of the season in the V-Rod class, putting him in second place in the points standing, close behind Sweet, the current leader.

Gerencer thanked Simeris Tavern, Coach Guard, Hoosier Harley-Davidson, and Comp Cams, his sponsors.

Super Sport winner - Dean Druschel

In AHDRA Super Sport, it was Donnie Huffman from Lakeland, FL, riding for Huffman Racing, who snared the #1 qualifying spot with a 10.337/125 mph.

Dean Druschel of Swanton, OH, riding for the Poor Boys Racing.org team, started his weekend off by qualifying in four different classes (SS, SE, SEP, and ET) and had to deal with some problems relating to his two-step. With a little minor tuning, though, the bike was good to go. On Sunday, Dean started taking out his competitors - Houdyshell, Boyer, and Israel to make it to the semifinals against Donnie. Dean recalled, "I knew I had to cut a good light against Donnie; he's a great racer even with a sore shoulder." Dean scored a holeshot victory, .017/10.416 to Donnie's .025/10.414. "I made it to the finals against Shawn and knew we both could run the number and again needed to cut a good light," Dean said. "ET finals had run before Super Sport finals and I won ET class also, and just couldn't believe it! My adrenaline was flowing and it was great! I knew I could go out and win Super Sport, too. I just needed to cut another good light and focus on the task at hand."

Shawn Duch from Reynoldsburg, OH, riding for MNA Customs, broke out with a .138/10.173/118 mph against Druschel, the current national champion - who ran a .027/10.262/120mph, also breaking out.

Druschel thanked his sponsors - Dale Miller (owner of Miller Motors in Liberty Center, OH), Vanson Leathers, Rush Performance, Energy One Clutches, Mickey Thompson Tires - and especially his loving and supportive wife, Stephanie.

124 Challenge winner - Mike Roberts

In AHDRA 124 Challenge, Mike Roberts of Clinton, OH, riding for Bandit Racing, scored the #1 qualifying spot with a 9.447/139 mph.

Roberts had some good competition in the 124 Challenge, but his fellow racers had to work to catch him on his Bandit Racing motorcycle. He had a bye in the first round and just broke the beam to advance into the semifinals against Chris Sansevere. Chris cut a great light (.032) against Mike (.156), but it just wasn't enough to catch him at the big end of the track. Mike got the win in the finals with a .161/9.895/135 mph against Jay Beasley from Winston-Salem, NC, who ran a .289/10.928/126 mph.

Roberts thanked his sponsors: Joe's Hawg Shop, Regina Chain, Brush Bandit Tree Service, and Barnett Clutches.

Rush Super Eliminator winner - Toni Blevins

In Rush Super Eliminator, it was John Price from Emmitsburg, MD, riding for Hi Price Racing, who qualified #1 with a 10.903/107 mph.

Chris Hoppe of Pennington, NJ, riding for Hoppe Racing, ran a .081/11.003/110 mph, but he wasn't fast enough to beat Toni Blevins from West Point, VA, who rode for B & T Racing with a .005/10.937/116 mph.

"After qualifying #1 in Norwalk and then being put on the trailer in the first round, I really needed this win," Blevins said. "I would like to dedicate my first win to my inspiration, teacher, and friend - Maura Hall Carper - and my husband and super crew, Bob Blevins. They both gave me the tools and taught me how to use them."

She also thanked her sponsors: Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson, Southside Harley-Davidson, and Sticker Plate.com for their unwavering support. Blevins gave a special thanks to AIM/VPC for helping her put the power to the track with their great products!

Hot Street winner - Bruce Croneberger III

In AHDRA Hot Street, Bruce Croneberger III from Emmitsburg, MD, riding for Schaeffer's Harley-Davidson Racing, qualified first with a 9.797/134 mph.

He ran a .128/9.811/136 mph for the win against Vance Houdyshell from Vero Beach, FL, who was riding for Houdyshell Racing and who ran a .214/10.597/126 mph. This was the fourth championship race that Croneberger won in the Hot Street class, giving him a sizable lead in the points chase.

He thanked Schaeffer's Harley-Davidson, SA Racing, CP Pistons, Carillo Rods, Regina Chain, and Axtell Sales, his sponsors.

Screamin' Eagle Performance SEP winner - Carnahan

In Screamin' Eagle SEP, the #1 qualifier was Lane Boger, Jr., from Concord, NC, who rode for Boger Racing and qualified with an 11.509/103 mph.

Nate Carnahan of Richmond, VA, riding for BC Racing, took the win with a .009/11.502/111 mph against Henry Provenzano of Bayshore, NY, who broke out with a .080/11.467/112 mph. Carnahan had some tough competition throughout the day, but his bike was tuned up and dialed in as he showed us in the finals by running a perfect 11.50!

He thanked his sponsors, Departure Bike Works and Paradise Roads.

Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer winner - Pettit

In Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer, Robert Pettit of Bristol, IN, riding for Pettit Motorsports, qualified first with a 9.516/137 mph.

He also took home a win with a run of .002/9.935/106 mph against Nick Gonatas, Jr., of Corland, OH, who was riding for Warren Harley-Davidson and who redlit at the tree with a 13.242/63.65 mph. This was Pettit's first win after three years of racing.

He commented, "There was a big learning curve to the Destroyer and with the help of Lou Gerencer with my motor and all the other fellow racers, I finally got it figured out. It was great to have my whole crew there with me and it meant a lot. I just can't say enough about the group of racers in the Destroyer class and all their help they have given me over the past two years."

He thanked his sponsors, United Specialties, Foremost Fabricating, Nitesource Security, Lippert Components, and G & R Trucking, and his father for all his support.

Syn3 ET winner - Dean Druschel

In Screamin' Eagle SYN 3 ET, it was Terry Smith from Virgie, KY, riding for Team Smith and qualifying with a reaction time of 0.001. Smith was also presented with a check for $150.00 from Full Throttle Magazine for the best reaction time in the class during qualifying.

Dean Druschel of Swanton, OH, rode for the Poor Boys Racing.org team, and not only made it into the show on Sunday, but also brought home his first win in the Screamin' Eagle SYN 3 ET class.

Dean had not participated in any of the test-'n'-tunes that were held on Friday, but instead sat and watched the field of racers and how the bikes were running. He decided to just run in the ET class and hope that it would be enough to get the bike tuned up right. He had entered four different classes for the weekend (SS, SE, SEP, and ET), and the heat and back-to-back runs of these classes take a toll on any racer. Dean went out in the SE and SEP classes in the second round - but that was okay, because he was still in ET and Super Sport classes and that alone was going to be a lot of rounds to make it to the finals.

After winning two rounds in ET first thing in the morning, which brought the field down to 16 bikes, Dean made it in the show for the first time ever in the ET class. His first round was against Spencer, who got a red light and gave the win to Dean - who then met up Coluburn, who started having bike problems around the eighth-mile and got out of it, giving Druschel another win and advancing him to the semifinals against Price. Price also redlit, giving the round to Druschel, who is now in the finals against racer and friend Danny Boyer.

Even though you know who you're racing, ET class is always a little different from the rest, since it is a class that you race yourself and not so much against the other racer. You each have your own dial-in, and you use a full tree that racers don't use in any other class. ET is a class that makes you really need to know and understand how your bike performs, which is exactly what Druschel went out and proved. He had been having minor bike issues throughout the first part of the season, but thanks to the help of Dale Miller and Doug Braley from Miller Motors, they had been able to finally get those gremlins worked out of the bike.

So, in the finals it was Danny Boyer from York, PA, riding for Northern Thunder Racing, who would dial in at 10.65 and run a .174/10.566/124 mph against Druschel, who dialed in at 10.30 and ran a .066/10.298/117 mph for the win. "I can't believe it, I won ET!" Druschel exclaimed. "I just never would have imagined this, ever. It goes to show you that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything."

He thanked his sponsors: Dale Miller (owner of Miller Motors in Liberty Center, OH), Vanson Leathers, Rush Performance, Energy One Clutches, Mickey Thompson Tires, and his loving and supportive wife Stephanie. He also thanked all the track staff at Bristol for their hard work, especially Jack, Brandon, Kurt, Sally, Jonathan, and Christy for sharing the air conditioner and some funny stories in the tower. A special thanks to the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association). "It was the first time I had ever attended a service at the track and if you have never been to one you really should. It was great!" Druschel said.