James Thompson and Jay Payne each took home the trophy in their respective classes for this weekend’s NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Division 5 Heartland Championship at Heartland Park Topeka.
Thompson, Vernon, Texas, ran 5.40’s (elapsed time in seconds) throughout eliminations in taking the win in Top Alcohol Dragster against No. 1 qualifier Monroe Guest, Mannford, Okla., in the final round. Thompson ran 5.423 seconds at 272.34 mph to Guest’s 5.503, 259.71. Thompson took out No. 2 qualifier Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., in round one and Cody Perkins, Bluffdale, Utah, in the semis.