Local racers Chris Simas and Nikole D’Adamo recently competed in the NHRA Summit Racing Series Division 7 finals at Top Gun Raceway in Fallon, Nev., held Sept. 26-28.

Infineon Raceway beat out 13 other teams from across the Western United States to capture the NHRA Summit Racing Series Division Title.

Teams participating came from as far as Albuquerque, New Mexico and Firebird Raceway in Chandler, AZ. This marks Infineon Raceway’s second Summit Racing Series championship in three years.

The event was highlighted by Saturday’s Race of Champions, in which the best drag racers from each participating raceway competed in head-to-head competition in their respective classes.

The final round of high school class ended up pitting Simas against D’Adamo, with Simas taking the title and the prestigious Wally.

Simas is sponsored by R & R Machine as well as B & G Tires.

D’Adamo is also sponsored by B & G Tires, along with Steve Caldwell of Steve’s Mobile Repair and Marty at Napa Valley Transmission.

Both teenagers got their start at Infineon’s Wednesday Night Drags and are extremely grateful for the community’s support.

Team Infineon fielded 68 Northern California racers in the Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman and Motorcycle categories.

Led by team manager Georgia Seipel, Infineon Raceway earned 69 points and was followed by Sacramento Raceway (57) and Auto Club Dragway at Auto Club Speedway (49).

Krider wins in

Santa Maria

Napa’s Krider Racing took a long road trip all the way down to Santa Maria Speedway on Sept. 20 and was able to put an unexpected check mark in the win column.

Rob Krider was given a last-minute invitation to drive a Mini Stock car for Weigel Racing on Santa Maria Speedway’s 1⁄3-mile dirt oval.

Krider, who is used to racing on the smooth, twisting pavement of Infineon Raceway, had never driven on a dirt oval before but was willing to give it a try.

“I got the call on Wednesday only three days before the race” said Krider.

“I was a little unsure about going. I had never participated in a circle track event and I have never raced a car that was somebody else’s.”

Mike Weigel of Weigel Racing convinced Krider that the race car was so good, anyone could win in it.

So Krider grabbed his helmet and headed southbound to Santa Maria.

“I arrived just in time for practice on Saturday, jumped in the car and went out on the track,” Krider said.

“I’ll admit, I was a little unsure. It was the first time I was in a race car that hadn’t been worked on by people and shops that I trust in Napa, like Third Street Auto Repair, T.E.M. Machine Shop, Napa Valley Muffler or B & G Tires. I just had to assume that the car was put together right.”

After a few laps, Krider began to gain some confidence in the No. 2 Weigel Racing Ford Mustang.

When the race started, Krider found himself on the outside of the front row, heading into turn 1, three wide.

“It was insane,” Krider said. “In road racing, we never go three cars wide.” 

With mud flying into the interior of the race car and his competitors only inches away from him every lap of the race, Krider was given a quick introduction into the intense world of circle track racing.

Krider gained the lead by lap 2, but after a few more laps a yellow flag was thrown, allowing his competitors to catch back up to him.

During the restart Krider jumped to an early lead again and never looked back.

When the checkered flag fell, Krider won the race, allowing him to bring a Santa Maria Speedway trophy back to Napa.

“It turns out Mike Weigel was right all along,” said Krider after the race.

“His car was so good even a road racer could win a race at a dirt track with it.”