Maryland International Raceway was the home of the 2017 IHRA Division 1 Bracket Finals this past weekend. Several tracks, including U. S. 13 Dragway, put together a team of their top preforming drivers from this years point season. Each year local tracks come together to compete to see who will be the top winner in each class and have a chance to compete in Memphis, TN at the IHRA World Finals.
Tim Foskey of Rhodesdale, MD, 2016 Mod ET champion at U.S. 13 Dragway, battled several rounds in the Mod class to make a final round appearance against Capitol Raceway racer, Janet Baden. Foskey sealed the win in his 1984 Mustang. He also took the margin of victory by .005 in the final pass of the day. Foskey will join other class winners in Memphis, TN.
This is Foskey’s second year in a row being able to compete in Memphis for a world title. As this being his first year getting to share it with his son, Cole Foskey, as the U. S. 13 Dragway Jr. Dragster 1 Champion. Cole will travel with his father to Memphis International Raceway to compete in the World Finals as well. Other racers from Team U. S. 13 who will compete in Memphis are Jamie Russell who took the 2017 U. S. 13 Top ET champion title and Ben Garnett the 2017 U. S. 13 Mod ET champion.
While the U. S. 13 Dragway team spent several days competing in “Gambler” races and team awards leading up to Sunday’s race, the U. S. 13 team came out with a Top ET Gamblers win taken by Glenn Reese of New Castle, DE on Friday.
Carter Foskey and Phillip Truitt also took home money in the bogey rounds within Friday nights race.
Saturday’s winner of the Jr. Dragster class was Caitlyn Hooper of Hurlock, MD, also on Team U. S. 13.
Mark Cathell, Track Manager, took a chance in the Track Operators Race and landed himself a win to start Sunday off on the right foot. Along with the operators win, the team also took the award for the Best Appearing Team and Best Manufactures Sponsor Signage award. W. R. Ketterman and Brett Holston finished in the quarter final of their respected classes in Sunday’s big race.
While IHRA realizes that families travel together to the bracket finals. They allow for the children to get involved in some of the fun. Maryland International Raceway had a “Big Wheel” race for the younger children in their families. Ella Ketterman, daughter of Tommy and Amanda Ketterman, went to the semi finals in her first big wheel race, showing that racing is in her genes.
All teams that arrive at Maryland International Raceway also compete in a team points system. U. S. 13 Dragway finished in the 3rd spot following Capitol Raceway in the 2nd place, and Maryland International Raceway topping off the top spot in team points.
We wish the best of luck to all of the U. S. 13 Dragway racers heading to Memphis in hopes of coming back to Delmarva as the IHRA World Champion.
Photo Credit: Delaware Racing, Mark Cathell, Maryland International Raceway, Josh Nichols
