Engines roared, and dirt flew as racers of all ages competed during the Southern Gap Dirt Drags on July 18 in Grundy, with dozens of drivers taking home top honors in ATV, motocross, UTV and specialty classes.
The event, hosted by Extreme Motorsports Grundy VA, featured competition ranging from Power Wheels racers to experienced adult drivers, drawing competitors and fans for another evening of racing at Southern Gap.
Among the youngest participants, Jaylen Hall claimed first place in the Power Wheels division, followed by Carter Street in second and Charlotte Street in third.
In the ATV MX ET 3-8 class, Rylan Deel earned the victory. Easton Vass topped the ATV MX ET 9-12 division, finishing ahead of Hunter Bowman and Hunter Justus.
Brantley Deel captured first place in the MX 65cc-100cc class, while Maddox Hinkle won the MX 101cc-200cc division after placing third in the younger motocross class. Kaden Watkins claimed the MX 201cc-250cc title and Justin Taylor won the MX 251cc-Up division. Ayden Thomas finished first in the MX Open Class.
Kobe Blankenship enjoyed one of the night’s strongest performances, collecting victories in both the ATV 2-Stroke Open and ATV 201cc-400cc classes. He also placed first in the UTV 801cc-Up Non-Turbo division and finished second in the MX 201cc-250cc class.
Megan Shrader won the ATV 501cc-Up class, while Braxton Shrader took the ATV Open title. McClanahan claimed first place in the UTV Non-Turbo Open division.
Danny Boyd set the pace in the Outlaw Open “Baddest of the Gap” class, establishing a track record with a run of 4.141 seconds.
Other winners included Dean Ward in the UTV Turbo Stock class, Homer Waters in the UTV Turbo Open division, Kiersten Looney in the Powder Puff Open class and Haley Phillips and Jase Hurley, who captured the ET Bracket Open Trophy and Money divisions, respectively.
Event organizers thanked the racers, crews, sponsors and fans for their continued support and announced plans to return for another round of racing at Southern Gap.
Division winners
Power Wheels: Jaylen Hall
ATV MX ET Ages 3-8: Rylan Deel
ATV MX ET Ages 9-12: Easton Vass
MX 65cc-100cc: Brantley Deel
MX 101cc-200cc: Maddox Hinkle
MX 201cc-250cc: Kaden Watkins
MX 251cc-Up: Justin Taylor
MX Open: Ayden Thomas
ATV 2-Stroke Open: Kobe Blankenship
ATV 201cc-400cc: Kobe Blankenship
ATV 401cc-500cc: Kobe Blankenship
ATV 501cc-Up: Megan Shrader
ATV Open: Braxton Shrader
UTV 801cc-Up Non-Turbo: Kobe Blankenship
UTV Turbo Modified Open: Danny Boyd
UTV Turbo Stock: Dean Ward
UTV Non-Turbo Open: Kanaan McClanahan
UTV Turbo Open: Homer Waters
Powder Puff Open: Kiersten Looney
ET Bracket Open (Trophy): Haley Phillips
ET Bracket Open (Money): Jase Hurley
Outlaw Open – Baddest of the Gap: Danny Boyd (Track Record: 4.141 seconds)
