AHDRA/Screamin’ Eagle Performance Parts Northeast Nitro Nationals
Photos courtesy of Hot Rod Chrissy

Having a national event at my home town track is always a nice break from the traveling and it was made even better when you involve nitro Harleys into the mix. Being new to the AHDRA series, I had no idea of what to expect driving in Atco Raceway Saturday morning for the Northeast Nitro Nationals.

I walked in to see tons of fans already filling the stands watching the sportsman classes qualifying and waiting for their chance to watch some Top Fuel and Pro Fuel Nitro Harleys. Qualifying did not disappoint as all the racers put on a show for the fans. I was blown away, not only the level of competition, but how pleasant and welcoming the racers were.

Connie Egan interviewing Joey Sternotti

Without hesitation racers would welcome fans into their pits signing autographs, taking photos, and answering any question that came their way. On the track they continued to impress the fans with record runs and battles for the top spot in qualifying. Such as Chris Wood in the Syn3 ET classes when he took the number one qualifying spot with his .001 reaction time. Talk about close racing.

The gates opened early Sunday with the sun shining, but with a tough head wind that could cause some concern for many racers especially when it turned into a cross wind.

It did not take long for the pit area to come alive as the early morning thrash began preparing for first round and the fans huddled around to smell the nitro. Fans also gathered around for a chance to talk to the woman racing in Pro Drag.

Carrie Tate, who in her second season, moved up to the class Pro Drag and has certainly gained some attention. Carrie would waste no time pulling fans in to explain all about her bike and the process it took to prep the bike for eliminations.

After the national anthem played the roar of the bikes took over and it was time to go racing.

For many fans including myself watching a series like AHDRA and seeing 15 classes of nothing but Harley Davidson’s is certainly different. The sound, the look everything about them was a whole knew world and an interesting one at that. Time flew by with all the action on the strip.

#1 Qualifiers

Syn3 ET – Chris Wood with a .001 reaction time
SEP – Jim Sweet with an 11.517
Hot Street – Bruce Croneberger III with a 9.725
Super Eliminator – Edward Golson with a perfect10.900 which won him $50 from VP Fuels
Super Sport – John Price with a 10.309
V-Rod – Jim Sweet with a 9.282
Super Gas – Kevin Garrow with a 9.727
Street Pro – Bruce Croneberger III with an 8.819
Pro Mod – Joey Thomson with an 8.493
V-Rod Destroyer – Robert Willis with a 9.411
Pro Drag – Steve Pier with a 7.363
Pro Stock – David Poague with an 8.462
Pro Fuel – Douglas Horne with a 6.498
Top Fuel – Douglas Horne with a 6.269

The finals for all classes were run together for one great show and tight racing. The sportsman winners for the third event of the season included, Kevin Gauntt in Syn3 ET and Super Eliminator, Brad Croneberger in SEP, Justin Collier in Super Sport, David Israel in Super Gas, Bruce Croneberger III in Hot Street, Jim Sweet in V-Rod, and lastly Bob Willis in V-Rod Destroyer.

Safe to say the excitement continued to rise as each final ran and now it was time for the pro classes. Bruce Croneberger III doubled up with his second win of the weekend this time in Street Pro, Bruce Chandler got the win when his competitor red lit in Pro Mod, David Poague in Pro Stock, Steve Pier over his teammate Carrie Tate in Pro Drag.

Douglas Horne would be sent on a solo for the Pro Fuel final, but had one hungry competitor back at the staring line waiting for his return for the Top Fuel final. For the first time all day the wind had died down and the sun was out. As we waited for Horne to get back to the starting line from his Pro Fuel run it was nothing but complete silence.

After a day of nonstop action the silence is always an awkward moment that is quickly halted by the roar of a Top Fuel bike entering the burnout. Both took the tree and rocketed off the starting line. For those who followed the AHDRA series knew this was a rematch between Tommy Grimmes and Douglas Horne from Rockingham. The final for many way worth price of admission when Horne put up a 6.26ET at 235ET! Horne would leave with a new Pro Fuel record, win, and Top Fuel win when all was said and done.

After a long weekend it was nice to see so many smiling faces in the winners circle laughing and joking around with each other. It does not take long to realize the AHDRA is a family. Heck the Horne family even offered me cake, I think I am going to like this series.

Next stop for the AHDRA series is June 9-10 for Ohio Bike Week Nationals presented by the Northern Ohio Harley Davidson Dealers at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park in Norwalk Ohio.

CLICK HERE FOR WINNER CIRCLE PHOTOS

Article by Connie Egan For additional coverage of this event click here.

For more information call 336-924-2095 or visit www.ahdra.com

Photo by Hot Rod Chrissy