With the racing complete, three victorious competitors pose for a photo following their winning performances at the Southern Gap Dirt Drags. The Independence Day tradition once again showcased the talent and sportsmanship of riders from across the region.
Southern Gap was alive with the sound of roaring engines and cheering fans on Independence Day as a large crowd turned out for the Southern Gap Dirt Drags. The July 4 event featured intense competition in ATV, dirt bike and side-by-side (SXS) racing, highlighted by close finishes and three new track records.
The fastest performances of the day were recorded, with Dylan Hacker setting a new dirt bike track record with a blistering pass of 4.057 seconds. Michael Lee established a new ATV track record at 4.230 seconds, while Danny Boyd etched his name into Southern Gap history with a new SXS track record of 4.217 seconds.
Those record-setting runs capped a day filled with high-speed racing as competitors from across the region battled for victories in nearly 20 divisions.
The youngest racers opened the competition in the Ages 9-12 division, where Madison Cheeseman claimed first place. Eli Baker finished second, followed by Dustley Lawson in third.
Hunter Bowman captured the 65cc-100cc dirt bike division ahead of Hunter Justus and Xavier James. Jesse Hurley earned the victory in the 110cc-200cc class, while Madison Cheeseman finished second and Ayden Bowman placed third.
Kyle Blankenship topped the 201cc-250cc dirt bike division, followed by Connor Clevinger and Brayden Bennett.
Hacker continued his outstanding day by winning the 251cc-and-up dirt bike class over Aaron Mullins and Kaden Watkins, then added another victory in the Dirt Bikes Open division ahead of Kaden Watkins and Justin Taylor.
Lee dominated the ATV competition. Along with setting the new track record of 4.230 seconds, he claimed victories in the ATV 2-Stroke Open, ATV 401cc-500cc and ATV Open divisions, making him one of the day’s biggest winners.
Other ATV champions included Ricky Baker in the Stock 4×4 Open division, Kohn Blankenship in the 201cc-400cc class and Nick Lester in the 501cc and up division.
The SXS classes also produced plenty of excitement.
Kanaan McClanahan earned victories in both the 801cc and Up division and the Non-Turbo Open class. Shane Fletcher claimed the Turbo Modified Open title, while Nick Sutherland won the Turbo Stock division.
Homer Waters captured first place in the Turbo Open class ahead of Dylan Stanley and Dean Ward.
The Powder Puff Open division was won by Kiersten Looney, followed by Morgan Stratton and Kaitlin Boyd.
Boyd capped the event by winning the Outlaw Open division after posting his record-breaking 4.217-second run, the fastest SXS pass ever recorded at Southern Gap.
Organizers thanked the racers, crews, volunteers and fans for making another Independence Day event a success. With hundreds of spectators filling the venue, competitive racing throughout the day and three new track records established, this year’s Southern Gap Dirt Drags delivered one of the most memorable events in the race’s history.
Class winners
Ages 9-12: Madison Cheeseman.
Dirt Bikes 65cc-100cc: Hunter Bowman.
Dirt Bikes 110cc-200cc: Jesse Hurley.
Dirt Bikes 201cc-250cc: Kyle Blankenship.
Dirt Bikes 251cc & Up: Dylan Hacker.
Dirt Bikes Open: Dylan Hacker.
ATV Stock 4×4 Open: Ricky Baker.
ATV 2-Stroke Open: Michael Lee.
ATV 201cc-400cc: Kohn Blankenship.
ATV 401cc-500cc: Michael Lee.
ATV 501cc & Up: Nick Lester.
ATV Open: Michael Lee.
UTV 801cc & Up: Kanaan McClanahan.
UTV Turbo Modified Open: Shane Fletcher.
UTV Turbo Stock: Nick Sutherland.
UTV Non-Turbo Open: Kanaan McClanahan.
UTV Turbo Open: Homer Waters.
Powder Puff Open: Kiersten Looney.
Outlaw Open: Danny Boyd.
New track records
Dirt Bike: Dylan Hacker — 4.057 seconds
ATV: Michael Lee — 4.230 seconds
SXS: Danny Boyd — 4.217 seconds
After a successful day on the track, three riders take time to rest at the Southern Gap Dirt Drags. The July 4 tradition once again drew a strong field of competitors and enthusiastic spectators.
Two champions pose together after conquering their respective classes during the Southern Gap Dirt Drags. Roaring engines, flying dirt and cheering fans made for another memorable Independence Day at Southern Gap.
A class winner shares a moment after earning a victory during the Southern Gap Dirt Drags. The annual Fourth of July event featured fierce competition and plenty of excitement for racers and spectators alike.
Smiles tell the story as three class winners gather after celebrating victories at the Southern Gap Dirt Drags on Independence Day. The annual event brought together racers and fans for a day filled with speed, competition and hometown pride.
