Thomas and Sunday winner Mike Harstad of North Charleston, S.C., both took home $5,000-plus and, like Maddox, each walked away with a trophy replicating the Ironman awarded to pro winners on the IHRA Nitro Jam tour.

 

 Almost 400 of the Southeast’s top bracket racers participated in the three-day event which also awarded points toward Rockingham Dragway track championships and participation as a track representative in the IHRA Summit Team Finals this fall.

 

 “We had 388 racers,” Earwood said, “which is huge considering the current situation with the economy and the high price of gasoline.  It was a gamble (to put on the race), but drag racers are very loyal and it was really gratifying to see the support they gave us.”

 

 In addition to the three Top Eliminator winners, champions also were crowned each day in Sportsman and Jr. Dragster categories.  The Sportsman winners were William Roberts of Benson on Saturday, Joe Lewis of Elizabethtown on Sunday and former Rockingham track champion Eric Aman of Mt. Olive on Monday.  Each won $2,000.

 

 J.P. Britt of Lumberton was the only driver able to double-up over the weekend, winning the Jr. Dragster title on Saturday and Monday.  Cameron Hoffman of Jacksonville was the other winner.

 

 Results from the Ironman Memorial Day Bracket Nationals at Rockingham Dragway:

 Saturday Ironman – Tim Thomas, Lumberton, def. William Roberts, Benson.
 Sunday Ironman – Mike Harstad, Charleston, S.C., def. Joe Lewis, Elizabethtown, 1970 Plymouth Duster.
 Monday Ironman – Joel Maddox, Piedmont, S.C., def. Eric Aman, Mt. Olive, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro.

 

Saturday TOP ELIMINATOR (all vehicles dragsters unless otherwise noted)
 Round 6 – Dale Taylor, Elizabethtown, .025, 7.818 on a 7.800, 88.25 mph, def. Joey Randall, Shelby, foul; Chad Breker, Shannon, .025, 5.091 on a 4.820, 108.32 mph, def. Michael Morton, Jacksonville, .052, 7.501, 6.520, 73.21 mph; Ethan Atkinson, Clio, S.C., 1978 Chevy Monte Carlo, .024, 6.127 on a 6.160, 110.63 mph, def. Georgia Thomas, Liton, 5.903 on a 6.110, 82.15 mph; Joel Maddox, Piedmont, S.C., .019, 4.832 on a 4.810, 137.28 mph, def. Roger Ray Hunt, Shannon, .020, 4.914 on a 4.900, 136.55 mph; Tim Thomas, Lumberton, .021, 4.783 on a 4.760, 143.98 mph, def. Rodney Pleasant, NA, .013, 7.450 breakout on a 4.7460, 90.49 mph; Scott Hill, Chester, 1966 Chevy II, .015, 6.601 on a 6.580, 102.59 mph, def. Will Holloman, NA, foul; Bernice Parker, Pine Level, .027, 4.939 on a 4.930, 140.55 mph, def. W.G. Lankas Jr., Sneads Ferry, .025, 4.833 on a 4.820, 140.47 mph.
 Round 7 – Atkinson, .004, 6.116 on a 6.130, 110.07 mph, def. Taylor, .027, 7.742 breakout on a 7.800, 89.09 mph; Thomas, .009, 4.798 on a 4.770, 142.37 mph, def. Breker, .019, 4.840 on a 4.820, 139.72 mph; Maddox, .015, 4.969 on a 4.820, 117.38 mph; def. Parker, .016, 5.082 on a 4.930, 135.97 mph; Hill, .014, 6.590 on a 6.600, 102.62 mph, bye.
 Semifinals – Thomas, .018, 4.798 on a 4.780, 138.80 mph, def. Hill, .042, 6.620 on a 6.590, 102.23 mph; Maddox, .004, 4.835 on a 4.820, 137.25 mph, def. Atkinson, .013, 6.137 on a 6.110, 109.89 mph.
 FINAL – Tim Thomas, Lumberton, .008, 4.790 on a 4.780, 145.42 mph, def. Joel Maddox, Piedmont, S.C., .006, 4.829 breakout on a 4.830, 142.01 mph.

 

Saturday JR DRAGSTER
 Round 3 – Daniel Reynolds, Wendell, .027, 8.118 on an 8.100, 76.66 mph, def. Ross Freeman, Westville, S.C., .164, 13.392 on a13.260, 47.39 mph; Landon Russell, Charlotte, .052, 7.948 on a 7.900, 82.97 mph, def. Zackery Pauley, Mocksville, .097, 7.999 at 7.980, 79.16 mph; Devin Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .085, 8.665 on an 8.650, 74.17 mph, def. Trey Williams, Aberdeen, .092, 9.065 breakout on a 9.100, 71.73 mph; J.P. Britt, Lumberton, .082, 7.995 on a 7.970, 78.81 mph, def. Amae Gilbreath, Greenville, S.C., .085, 10.701 breakout on a 10.810, 57.60 mph; Nicole Phillips, Sumter, S.C., .000, 7.913 on a 7.900, 83.68 mph, def. Jessica Dean, Monroe, foul; Troy Brewer, Shannon, .148, 8.062 on an 8.010, 79.48 mph, def. Unknown, .249, 7.900 on a 7.900, 79.89 mph.
           Round 4 – Reynolds, .021, 8.144 on an 8.070, 75.36 mph, def. D. Gilbreath, .983, 8.681 on an 8.650, 74.01 mph; Phillips, .056, 7.918 on a 7.900, 83.45 mph, def. Brewer, .079, 8.001 on an 8.040, 80.93 mph; Britt, .010, 8.104 on a 7.990, 77.67 mph, def. Russell, .117, 7.909 on a 7.900, 83.24 mph.
 Semifinals – Britt, .013, 7.980 on a 7.920, 79.37 mph, def. Phillips, .018, 7.885 breakout on a 7.900, 84.00 mph; Reynolds, .071, 8.080 on an 8.040, 80.08 mph, bye.
 FINAL – J.P. Britt, Lumberton, .116, 8.056 on a 7.980, 77.71 mph, def. Daniel Reynolds, Wendell, .173, 8.116 on an 8.070, 79.12 mph.

 

Sunday TOP ELIMINATOR
 Round 6 – T.J. Phipps, Kenansville, 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, .214, 4.352 on a 4.340, 129.80 mph, def. W.G. Lankas Jr., Sneads Ferry, foul; Jamie Freeman, Westville, S.C., .002, 4.866 on a 4.850, 139.99 mph, bye; Nick Womack, Lillington, .030, 5.600 on a 5.590, 120.02 mph, def. Unknown, .047, 5.973 breakout on a 5.980, 115.83 mph; Mike Harstad, Charleston, S.C., .013, 4.672 on a 4.660, 145.81 mph, def. Stephen Hammons, Laurinburg, .014, 4.832 on a 4.820, 141.98 mph; Kevin Crawford, Pageland, S.C., .006, 6.319 on a 6.310, 105.80 mph, def. Donald C. Webb, Four Oaks, 1970 Chevy Nova, .022, 6.496 on a 6.470, 104.76 mph; Ethan Atkinson, Clio, S.C., 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, .000, 6.121 on a 6.110, 110.37 mph, def. T.J. Locklear, Shannon, .025, 4.654 on a 4.650, 146.40 mph; Chad Breker, Shannon, .024, 4.827 on a 4.820, 141.56 mph, def. Trent Jones, Ninety-Six, S.C., .012, 4.723 on a 4.720, 144.10 mph; Danny McManus, Pageland, S.C., .017, 6.041 on a 6.030, 115.38 mph, def. Fern Campbell, Aiken, S.C., 1988 Ford Mustang, .021, 5.300 on a 5.290, 130.35 mph; Jim Chandler, Hope Mills, .022, 7.102 on a 7.100, 94.81 mph, Nicholas Key, Red Springs, 6.187 on a 6.170, 109.48 mph.
  Round 7 – Harstad, .004, 4.669 on a 4.670, 246.34 mph, def. Womack, foul; Phipps, .034, 5.356 on a 5.350, 128.42 mph, def. Freeman, .049, 4.843 on a 4.830, 140.88 mph; Breker, .010, 4.836 on a 4.820, 139.43 mph, def. Chandler, .017, 7.104 on a 7.090, 94.78 mph; Crawford, .014, 6.305 on a 6.300, 107.27 mph, def. McManus, NA, 7.030 on a 6.030, 78.48 mph; Atkinson, .030, 6.115 on a 6.110, 110.42 mph, bye.
 Round 8 – Phipps, .012, 5.373 on a 5.350, 128.92 mph, def. Breker, .018, 4.854 on a 4.830, 137.36 mph; Crawford, .018, 6.321 on a 6.300, 106.78 mph, def. Atkinson, .029, 6.162 on a 6.110, 110.10 mph; Harstad, bye.
 Semifinals – Phipps, bye; Harstad, .024, 4.678 on a 4.670, 145.75 mph, def. Crawford, broke.
 FINAL – Mike Harstad, Charleston, S.C., .020, 4.701 on a 4.670, 140.12 mph, def. T.J. Phipps, Kenansville, 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, .021, 5.400 on a 5.360, 128.16 mph.

 

Sunday SPORTSMAN
 Round 5 – Joe Lewis, Elizabethtown, 1970 Plymouth Duster, .073, 8.026 on a 8.000, 84.39 mph, def. Sam Harris, Charlotte, 1984 Ford Mustang, .190, 6.898 breakout on a 6.900, 96.42 mph; Steve Alford, Angier, 1971 Ford Pinto, .040, 6.780 on a 6.750, 98.77 mph, def. Dewayne Dixon, Cheraw, S.C., NA, .054, 6.536 breakout on a 6.540, 105.72 mph; Bill Ritts, Danbury, 1969 Dodge Dart, .027, 5.964 on a 5.960, 115.62 mph, def. W.G. Lankas, Jr., foul; Randall Cantrell, Elon, 1967 Chevy Nova, .036, 7.031 on a 7.000, 94.14 mph, def. Buddy Plyer, Pageland, S.C., .073, 6.125 on 6.120, 109.05 mph; Greg Garner, NA, .006, 6.420 on a 6.440, 105.65 mph, def. Doug Rasmussen, Christiansburg, Va., 1989 Ford Mustang, foul; Kenny Roberts, Aynor, S.C., 1969 Chevy Nova, .027, 6.291 on a 6.280, 106.24 mph, def. Mark Soles, Riegelwood, , 1988 Ford Mustang, .157, 5.635 breakout on a 5.640, 124.10 mph; Mike Jackson, Mt. Olive, NA., .040, 6.624 on a 6.620, 103.14 mph, def. Allen Britt, Lumberton, NA, foul; William Roberts, Benson, .062, 6.365 on a 6.350, 109.06 mph, bye.
 Round 6 – Garner, .043, 6.411 on a 6.410, 105.84 mph, def. Alford, .042, 6.746 breakout on a 6.750, 99.16 mph; Lewis, .064, 8.029 on an 8.020, 84.59 mph, def. Cantrell, .075, 6.998 breakout on a 7.000, 95.73 mph; W. Roberts, .037, 6.355 on a 6.350, 109.08 mph, def. K. Roberts, foul; Jackson, .020, 6.637 on a 6.610, 102.29 mph, def. Ritts, .054, 5.977 on a 5.960, 115.54 mph.
 Semifinals – Lewis, .036, 8.018 on an 8.030, 84.75 mph, def. W. Roberts, .004, 6.335 breakout on a 6.350, 105.96 mph; Garner, .075, 6.417 on a 6.400, 104.40 mph, def. Jackson, .098, 6.627 on a 6.610, 103.14 mph.
 FINAL – Joe Lewis Elizabethtown, 1970 Plymouth Duster, .052, 8.139 on an 8.020, 81.98 mph, def. Greg Garner, NA, foul.

 

Sunday JR DRAGSTER
 Round 3 – Zackery Pauley, Mocksville, .048, 8.050 on a 7.990, 78.86 mph, def. Trey Williams, Aberdeen, .043, 9.195 breakout on a 9.230, 70.00 mph; Ross Freeman, Westville, S.C., .190, 13.425 on a 13.350, 46.31 mph, def. Landon Russell, Charlotte, .049, 7.878 breakout on a 7.900, 83.01 mph; Cameron Hoffman, Jacksonville, .291, 7.993 on 7.910, 78.68 mph, def. Unknown, .323, 11.214 breakout on an 11.250, 56.68 mph; Devin Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .184, 8.672 on an 8.650, 74.09 mph, def. Larry Ratley, Thomasville, .014, 7.881 breakout on a 7.900, 81.97 mph; Kelli Blake, Rockingham, .079, 8.060 on an 8.050, 82.04 mph, def. J.P. Britt, Lumberton, foul; Terry B. Collins, Shannon, .111, 7.929 on a 7.900, 81.51 mph, def. Ty Randolph, Ware Shoals, S.C., 079, 8.987 breakout on a 9.000, 70.36 mph; Brystal Mosley, Inman, .151, 8.757 on an 8.730, 75.21 mph, def. Nicole Phillips, Sumter, S.C., .220, 7.897 breakout on a 7.900, 83.73 mph; Jessica Dean, Monroe, .091, 7.918 on a 7.900, 83.93 mph, def. Amae Gilbreath, Greenville, S.C., foul; Trever Harstad, Charleston, S.C., .009, 7.997 on an 8.040, 82.35 mph, def. Troy Brewer, Shannon, .074, 7.850 breakout on an 7.900, 81.56 mph.
 Round 4 – Mosley, .187, 8.803 on an 8.720, 74.79 mph, def. Freeman, .283, 13.288 breakout on a 13.320, 47.43 mph; Hoffman, .048, 7.941 on a 7.940, 79.35 mph, def. Blake, .089, 8.049 breakout on an 8.070, 82.07 mph; Collins, .080, 8.023 on a 7.910, 80.07 mph, def. Pauley, .230, 8.071 on a 7.990, 79.10 mph; Dean, .016, 7.943 on a 7.900, D. Gilreath, .092, 8.653 breakout on an 8.660, 74.07 mph; Harstad, bye.
 Round 5 – Hoffman, .138, 7.915 on a 7.910, 79.72 mph, def Harstad, foul; Collins, .090, 7.913 on a 7.910, 81.25 mph, def. Mosley, .148, 8.785 on an 8.780, 74.62 mph; Dean, .043, 7.935 on a 7.900, 83.43 mph, bye.
 Semifinals – Dean, NA, 8.049 on a 7.900, 83.07 mph, def. Collins, foul; Hoffman, bye.
 FINAL – Cameron Hoffman, Jacksonville, .007, 8.041 on a 7.900, 74.15 mph, def. Jessica Dean, Monroe, .124, 8.550 on a 7.900, 81.75 mph.

 

Monday TOP ELIMINATOR
 Round 6 – Donnie Norris, Tabor City, 1980 Chevy Luv Truck, .002, 6.255 on a 6.220, 109.41 mph, def. Smokey Dial, Maxton, .016, 4.956 on a 4.930, 137.04 mph; Kevin Brannon, Boiling Springs, S.C., .009, 5.186 on a 5.180, 130.96 mph, def. Jerry Brewer, Lumberton, .018, 4.938 on a 4.930, 139.47 mph; Will Holloman, NA, .012, 4.924 on a 4.900, 138.78 mph, def. Andrew Sweat, Ware Shoals, S.C., .018, 5.944 breakout on a 5.950, 114.85 mph; Bill Hansen, Ninety-Six, S.C., .008, 5.436 on a 5.420, 128.18 mph, def. Jim Chandler, Hope Mills, 1972 Plymouth Duster, .015, 4.983 breakout on a 5.000, 135.09 mph; Rodney Pleasant, NA, .012, 7.488 on a 7.480, 90.34 mph, def. Tim Thomas, Lumberton, .009, 4.832 on a 4.820, 141.92 mph; Joel Maddox, Piedmont, S.C., .093, 4.861 on a 4.840, 140.78 mph, def. Eric Aman, Mt. Olive, foul.
 Round 7 – Brannon, .013, 5.210 on a 5.180, 130.90 mph, def. Holloman, .034, 4.953 on a 4.920, 133.35 mph; Maddox, .007, 4.878 on a 4.850, 140.58 mph, def. Norris, foul; Pleasant, .013, 7.489 on a 7.480, 89.65 mph, def. Hansen, .014, 5.415 breakout on a 5.430, 138.04 mph.
 Semifinals – Pleasant, .006, 7.498 on a 7.480, 90.19 mph, def. Brannon, .008, 5.230 on a 5.200, 125.09 mph; Maddox, bye.
 FINAL – Joel Maddox, Piedmont, S.C., .021, 4.868 on a 4.860, 139.10 mph, def. Rodney Pleasant, NA, .026, 7.510 on a 7.480, 90.06 mph. 

 

Monday SPORTSMAN
 Round 5 – Randall Cantrell, Elon, 1967 Chevy Nova, .023, 7.051 on a 7.040, 94.69 mph, def. Johnny Laney, Clover, S.C., 1978 Chevy Luv truck, foul; David Patrick, Greensboro, .032, 11.162 on an 11.110, 63.72 mph, def. Bill Ritts, Danbury, 1969 Dodge Dart, foul; Richard Alford, Raleigh, 1970 Chevy Chevelle, .043, 6.864 on a 6.860, 94.07 mph, def. Edward Freeman, Kershaw, S.C., foul; Clayton Roberts, Benson, .100, 6.041 on a 5.990, 108.39 mph, def. Jay Wyant, Camden, S.C., 1979 Chevrolet Camaro, .158, 7.849 on a 7.780, 88.62 mph; Wesley Roberts, Benson, 1972 Chevy Camaro, .021, 6.874 on a 6.840, 99.27 mph, def. Brenda Taylor, Raleigh, .027, 10.688 on a 10.633, 65.97 mph; Eric Aman, Mt. Olive, 1971 Chevy Camaro, .034, 5.953 on a 5.940, 114.11 mph, def. Willy Buie, St. Pauls, 1972 Chevy Nova, .094, 7.077 breakout on a 7.080, 97.19 mph; Roger Rhodes, Pikeville, 1968 Chevy II, .032, 7.067 on a 7.050, 96.15 mph, bye.
 Round 6 – Rhodes, .043, 7.081 on a 7.060, 94.64 mph, def. Roberts, .019, 6.045 on a 6.000, 108.32 mph; Alford, .012, 6.828 on a 6.850, 96.58 mph, def. Patrick, .002, 11.047 breakout on an 11.150, 64.15 mph; Aman, .022, 5.940 on a 5.940, 115.52 mph, def. Cantrell, foul; Roberts, bye.
 Semifinals – Rhodes, .014, 7.071 on a 7.060, 95.85 mph, def. Alford, .030, 6.852 on a 6.850, 94.94 mph; Aman, .000, 5.974 on a 5.940, 109.32 mph, def. Roberts, .043, 6.874 on a 6.850, 101.46 mph.
 FINAL – Eric Aman, Mt. Olive, 1971 Chevrolet Camaro, .019, 5.931 on a 5.940, 115.95 mph, def. Roger Rhodes, Pikeville, 1968 Chevy II, .004, 7.040 breakout on a 7.060, 96.18 mph.

 

Monday JR DRAGSTER
 Round 3 – Zackery Pauley, Mocksville, .061, 7.978 on a 7.970, 80.21 mph, def. Daniel Reynolds, Wendell, .115, 8.018 breakout on an 8.050, 80.52 mph; Trey Williams, Aberdeen, .001, 9.110 on a 9.230, 71.76 mph, def. Trever Harstad, Charleston, S.C., foul; Kelli Blake, Rockingham, .022, 8.045 on an 8.050, 81.98 mph, def. Landon Russell, Charlotte, .042, 7.877 on a 7.900, 82.14 mph; Troy Brewer, Shannon, .064, 7.860 on a 7.920, 81.74 mph, def. Larry Ratley, Thomasville, foul;
Amae Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .013, 10.993 on a 10.780, 56.44 mph, def. Jessica Dean Monroe, .091, 7.857 breakout on a 7.900, 78.30 mph; J.P. Britt, Lumberton, .153, 8.022 on an 8.000, 78.74 mph, def. Ricky Yarborough, Archdale, .196, 8.375 breakout on an 8.430, 77.35 mph; Nicole Phllips, Sumter, S.C., .044, 7.920 on a 7.920, 84.13 mph, def. Cameron Hoffman, Jacksonville, foul; Aaron Paxton, Hamlet, .150, 11.175 on an 11.150, 57.62 mph, def. Devin Gilreath, Greenville, S.C., .195, 8.743 on an 8.730, 71.59 mph.
 Round 4 – Brewer, .080, 8.004 on a 7.900, 79.35 mph, def. Blake, .084, 8.153 on an 8.030, 80.39 mph Paxton, .155, 11.283 on an 11.150, 55.86 mph, A. Gilreath, .304, 10.863 on a 10.880, 57.76 mph; Phillips, .079, 8.041 on a 7.900, 80.67 mph, def. Pauley, .204, 8.039, 7.970, 79.65 mph; Britt, .046, 8.048 on an 8.020, 77.82 mph, def. Williams, .037, 9.188 on a 9.110, 70.92 mph.
 Semifinals – Phillips, .110, 7.949 on a 7.910, 83.49 mph, def. Brewer, .123, 7.906 breakout on a 7.970, 78.74 mph; Britt, .085, 8.060 on an 8.040, 78.06 mph, def. Paxton, .170, 11.143 breakout on an 11.150, 57.55 mph.
 FINAL – J.P. Britt, Lumberton, .002, 8.098 on an 8.060, 73.56 mph, def. Nicole Phillips, Sumter, S.C., .106, 7.985 on an 7.920, 82.78 mph.