6/16/2007
Steve Rogers, out of Foristell, MO, had some tough luck early in the race but didn't get down and made it all the way to the winner's circle. In round one, Rogers faced Brian Gardner, who pounded a .015 package on Rogers to get the win. Rogers then paid his dues and got back into the race to win the next six rounds for the victory. He defeated Jeremy McKague, who won 13 out of his 14 rounds Saturday night. McKague held a .004 starting line advantage but could not run the number as Rogers was able to stay in front for the victory. Strong competitor, Brian Suhre, made it to the semi-final round before being defeated by Mr. McKague. Suhre moves up to first place in points, as McKague moves to 11th.
When Jeremy McKague shows up to race, you know that he means business. He has made it to only two point races this season and has three final round appearances. He was in two final rounds Saturday night, one in the Super Pro 1/8 mile race, the other in the Super Pro 1/4 mile race. In this 1/8-mile race, McKague was dynamite off the tree as he was between .006 and .025 all night, putting all the pressure on his opponents. Runner-up Scott Offerman had McKague by .006 off the tree, but could not run the number as McKague went right around him at the stripe to win the $ 2,000 prize.
Mike Shanks' 1976 Camaro ran in the mid-10.40's all night which made it very easy to put a dial on his car. Shanks defeated Ron Rathgeb Jr. in the final as Rathgeb gave him an easy win by going .012 red. Rathgeb used a .015 package in the semi's to defeat John Ratulowski, who had a respectable .021 package but wasn't good enough to turn on the win light. Shanks won all seven rounds he went up for and with the win it moves him up to 9th in Gateway's Pro points standings, while Rathgeb Jr. moves to 28th. Ratulowski continues to pull away with the points lead as he gets to yet another semi-final round. He leads Gateway's Pro points standings by 65 points.
Dan Smith and his 1979 Chrysler 300 finally found themselves in victory lane after ten previous runner-up finishes. Although Smith had to use the famous "buy back" feature after the first round, he won the next six rounds to take home the win. Smith took out current points leader, Ron Beach Sr. in the quarterfinal round, had the bye in the semis, then went on to defeat James Bouckaert in the final. Bouckeart escaped a round three threat when he defeated Mitch Palmer by an extremely slim margin of .001. Smith moves up to sixth in Gateway's Street points while Bouckeart moves to eighth. Ron Beach Sr. still leads all other competitors by 30 points.
Jim Ryan, out of St. Peters, MO, got his first victory of the 2007 season Saturday night. Ryan had the better reaction time than his opponent in every round which made it extremely difficult for his opponents to catch him at the 1/4 mile mark. Runner-up Mark Abrams used a .004 light in the quarter final round to defeat the Street Bike winner, Dusty Katich. Ryan and Abrams were only .007 apart at the starting line, but Ryan was the only one who could run the number. Ryan now sits in 7th place in Gateway's Pro Bike points as Abrams is in 5th. Janie Palm remains in 1st place by 53 points.
Dusty Katich found himself in the winners circle for the second straight event. In the final, Katich had to overcome a .058 starting line advantage to beat Chamois, MO native Denny Slusser. Slusser couldn't run the number at the top end which gave Katich plenty of room for the win. Katich is giving his opponents a chance to catch up in the points standings as he will be on vacation. With the win, Katich extends his Street Bike points lead over Janie Palm by 44 points, while Slusser's runner-up finish moves him to third. (photos available)
-Story by: Brody Bernshausen
Steve Rogers, out of Foristell, MO, had some tough luck early in the race but didn't get down and made it all the way to the winner's circle. In round one, Rogers faced Brian Gardner, who pounded a .015 package on Rogers to get the win. Rogers then paid his dues and got back into the race to win the next six rounds for the victory. He defeated Jeremy McKague, who won 13 out of his 14 rounds Saturday night. McKague held a .004 starting line advantage but could not run the number as Rogers was able to stay in front for the victory. Strong competitor, Brian Suhre, made it to the semi-final round before being defeated by Mr. McKague. Suhre moves up to first place in points, as McKague moves to 11th.
When Jeremy McKague shows up to race, you know that he means business. He has made it to only two point races this season and has three final round appearances. He was in two final rounds Saturday night, one in the Super Pro 1/8 mile race, the other in the Super Pro 1/4 mile race. In this 1/8-mile race, McKague was dynamite off the tree as he was between .006 and .025 all night, putting all the pressure on his opponents. Runner-up Scott Offerman had McKague by .006 off the tree, but could not run the number as McKague went right around him at the stripe to win the $ 2,000 prize.
Mike Shanks' 1976 Camaro ran in the mid-10.40's all night which made it very easy to put a dial on his car. Shanks defeated Ron Rathgeb Jr. in the final as Rathgeb gave him an easy win by going .012 red. Rathgeb used a .015 package in the semi's to defeat John Ratulowski, who had a respectable .021 package but wasn't good enough to turn on the win light. Shanks won all seven rounds he went up for and with the win it moves him up to 9th in Gateway's Pro points standings, while Rathgeb Jr. moves to 28th. Ratulowski continues to pull away with the points lead as he gets to yet another semi-final round. He leads Gateway's Pro points standings by 65 points.
Dan Smith and his 1979 Chrysler 300 finally found themselves in victory lane after ten previous runner-up finishes. Although Smith had to use the famous "buy back" feature after the first round, he won the next six rounds to take home the win. Smith took out current points leader, Ron Beach Sr. in the quarterfinal round, had the bye in the semis, then went on to defeat James Bouckaert in the final. Bouckeart escaped a round three threat when he defeated Mitch Palmer by an extremely slim margin of .001. Smith moves up to sixth in Gateway's Street points while Bouckeart moves to eighth. Ron Beach Sr. still leads all other competitors by 30 points.
Jim Ryan, out of St. Peters, MO, got his first victory of the 2007 season Saturday night. Ryan had the better reaction time than his opponent in every round which made it extremely difficult for his opponents to catch him at the 1/4 mile mark. Runner-up Mark Abrams used a .004 light in the quarter final round to defeat the Street Bike winner, Dusty Katich. Ryan and Abrams were only .007 apart at the starting line, but Ryan was the only one who could run the number. Ryan now sits in 7th place in Gateway's Pro Bike points as Abrams is in 5th. Janie Palm remains in 1st place by 53 points.
Dusty Katich found himself in the winners circle for the second straight event. In the final, Katich had to overcome a .058 starting line advantage to beat Chamois, MO native Denny Slusser. Slusser couldn't run the number at the top end which gave Katich plenty of room for the win. Katich is giving his opponents a chance to catch up in the points standings as he will be on vacation. With the win, Katich extends his Street Bike points lead over Janie Palm by 44 points, while Slusser's runner-up finish moves him to third. (photos available)
-Story by: Brody Bernshausen
