The Randy Meyer Racing Team had an exciting weekend at National Trail Raceway for the NHRA regional race with new driver Gary Pritchett behind the wheel of the GUNK nitro-injected dragster, sponsored by Hoopes Fire Prevention and Hedinger’s Equipment. Pritchett, in only his second outing with the team, showcased his talent and potential by securing a runner-up finish, building on the momentum from his debut earlier this year.
Pritchett’s performance in qualifying was nothing short of impressive, as he secured the number two spot with a blistering 5.282-second ET at 271.08 mph. This strong start set the stage for a thrilling race day.
In the first round, Pritchett faced off against John Paul Gutierrez. Despite Gutierrez losing traction right at the hit, Pritchett made a clean pass, clocking a 5.296-second run at 269.89 mph to secure the win. Moving into the semifinals, Pritchett met Joe Maynard in a closely contested race. Pritchett emerged victorious with a 5.330-second run at 266.79 mph, edging out Maynard’s 5.335-second run at 268.38 mph.
The final round saw Pritchett going head-to-head with seasoned competitor Tony Stewart. Unfortunately, Pritchett experienced tire smoke after losing traction at the hit, which allowed Stewart to take the win. Despite the loss, Pritchett’s performance throughout the weekend was a testament to his growing confidence and skill in the race car.
Reflecting on the weekend, Pritchett shared, “What a great weekend with the Randy Meyer Racing team at National Trail Raceway. I’m especially thankful for Randy giving me this opportunity as my confidence in the race car grows. Looking forward to hitting some more races with them. Special thanks to Hedinger’s Equipment and Boninfante Friction.”
Gary Pritchett’s runner-up finish and consistent performance have set a promising tone for the rest of the season with the Randy Meyer Racing Team. Fans and sponsors alike are eager to see what he will achieve next.