Racers of all ages hit the track Aug. 15 as the Southern Gap Dirt Drags brought another evening of fast-paced competition to Southern Gap.
The event featured youth divisions, dirt bikes, ATVs and UTVs, along with several specialty races. Competitors battled for bragging rights in 17 divisions, including the Outlaw Open, known as the “Baddest at the Gap.”
Jeremiah O’Quinn captured the Outlaw Open championship, while Shawn Robinson won the Panty Race.
In the youth ATV races, Rylan Deel claimed first place in the ages 3-8 division. Resealee Deel finished second, and Ashton Ratliff placed third. Hunter Bowman won the ages 9-12 division, followed by Blake Bolo in second and Ayden Bowman in third.
Bowman also earned a victory in the 65cc-100cc dirt bike class. Brentley Yates finished second, and Cameron Cole took third.
Jase Hurley won the 101cc-200cc dirt bike division. Ayden Bowman placed second, and Hunter Justus finished third.
Kobe Blankenship took the checkered flag in the 201cc-250cc dirt bike class, with Brayden Bennett finishing second and Kiersten Looney placing third.
Kaden Watkins collected two victories during the event. Watkins won the 251cc-and-up dirt bike division, followed by Justin Taylor in second and Keaton Matney in third. Watkins also captured the Dirt Bike Open championship, while Matney finished second and Zack Morgan placed third.
Gary Jackson won the Stock 4×4 ATV division.
Blankenship added another victory in the ATV 201cc-400cc class. He also won the ATV 401cc-500cc division, followed by Looney in second and Nick Lester in third.
Meagan Shrader earned first place in the ATV 501cc-and-up class. Lester finished second, and Blankenship placed third.
Rocky Ball won the ATV Open division, with Hurley taking second and Kendall Blevins finishing third.
Canaan McClanahan claimed first place in the UTV 801cc-and-up non-turbo division.
Shane Fletcher won the UTV Turbo Modified Open class. Danny Boyd finished second, and Eric Sparks placed third.
Dylan Stanley took first place in the stock UTV Turbo division. Dean Ward finished second, while McClanahan placed third.
Ward returned to win the UTV Turbo Open championship. Homer Waters took second, and Sparks finished third.
Kiersten Looney won the Powder Puff Open division, followed by Addie Boyd in second and Shrader in third.
The event was held at the Southern Gap Dirt Drags track at 6139 Poplar Creek Road in Grundy. Organizers thanked the racers, sponsors and fans who helped make the event possible.
