NHRA XPLOD SPORT COMPACT RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONS CROWNED

The 2006 NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series World Champions were crowned at the year-end banquet held in Pomona, Calif.  There were four repeat winners and one first-time winner.

World Champions for 2006 were Brad Personett (Pro RWD), Ed Bergenholtz (Pro FWD), Paul Efantis (Modified), Ron Lummus (Hot Rod), and Jeremy Lookofsky (Honda Tuning All Motor).

Personett, driver of the Titan Motorsports Scion tC, was consistent throughout the year in winning his second consecutive world championship in only his third year racing the Xplod Series.  His accomplishments on the year were winning seven events (West Palm Beach – spring, Englishtown - spring, Atco, Topeka, Denver, Indianapolis, West Palm Beach – fall), being runner-up at one event (Pomona), and having 10 No. 1 qualifiers.  Personett also set both ends of the Pro RWD national records with a time of 6.41 seconds (Indianapolis) and a speed of 220.15 mph (Atco, N.J)

“It was a bittersweet ending by not winning Pomona,” Personett said.  “It was a good year.  We just kept doing the same things each race.  I want to thank my Dad and family.  The crew and all people at the Titan office were great.  Without them I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.  I would also like to thank Harry Hruska of Precision Turbos, Mike Long at G Force Transmissions, and Chris Kauffman at Borla.”

Bergenholtz, driver of the Audiobahn/Mazdaspeed6, captured his second consecutive Xplod Series world championship. Enroute to the championship he won four events (West Palm Beach – spring, Richmond, Englishtown – fall, and Pomona).  He also was the runner-up at two events (Englishtown – spring and Las Vegas) and one No. 1 qualifier.

“I am so tired right now,” Bergenholtz said.  “I had to drive my tail off.  This was the most intense and hardest year.  I won the first two races of the year and the last two races of the year.  I have a Wally sandwich.  There were fast cars everywhere.  I want to thank those GM Roush boys for pushing me.  I especially want to thank Team Audiobahn.  Those guys are not only my crew, they are like family members.  Last year I complained about the money I didn’t have, but this year I realized it is about being team and family oriented.  That made up for the debts.”

Efantis won his second career Xplod Series world championship by winning the final event of the year with his Little Dooey Barbeque and Blues Toyota Solara.  Coming into Pomona the Modified category had four drivers who were within 25 points of the championship.  Efantis won Pomona along with three other races (Richmond, Las Vegas, and West Palm Beach – fall).  He also had one runner-up position (Denver) and four No. 1 qualifiers.

“It was an emotional win,” Efantis said.  “The competition this year made me the driver that I am.  We were consistent all year.  This win makes me tied as the winningest (NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series) driver with 15.  First I want to thank my Mom and Dad.  I want to thank NHRA for a great year of racing.  Other thank yous go out to Little Dooey’s, Harry Hruska at Precision Turbos, Justice Racing Engines, Pro Port Cylinder Heads, East-West Clutches, G Force, Mickey Thompson, CP, Ferrea, Torco, NGK, Fill Race, Crane Cams, NLR Turbo Systems, HFR Fabrication, and TRD.  Hopefully next year I will be back with some surprises.”

Lummus collected his second consecutive and career Xplod Series world championship at Pomona.  He drove his Garrett/Bothwell Motorsports Pontiac Sunfire to five wins (Richmond, Englishtown – spring, Atco, Las Vegas, and Moroso – fall), three runner-ups (Denver, Englishtown – fall, and Pomona), and two No. 1 qualifiers.

“It is a big fat relief,” Lummus said.  “Not making the first race of the year I had to work my tail off.  I am very happy.  Coming into this race (Pomona) I didn’t presume or assume anything.  I am glad it turned out the way it did.  Garrett has been really good to us.  It is always sweeter when you earn a championship.  Last year I came into the final event having already won the championship.  This year it was decided here in Pomona.

I got to meet Wally Parks.  I thanked him for starting so much.  I am very proud of my team.  They overcame tremendous obstacles this year.”

Lookofsky captured his first Xplod Series world championship in 2006.  He drove his DVS Drag Cartel Civic to two wins (Denver and Las Vegas), five runner-ups (Richmond, Englishtown – spring, Atco, Moroso – fall, and Englishtown – fall) and three No. 1 qualifiers.  He set the Honda Tuning All Motor national speed record at 141.89 mph in Atco, N.J.

“Winning the championship is a huge honor,” Lookofsky said.  “It hasn’t really sunk in yet.  We have a pretty tough field in All Motor.  Next year it’s 4.50’s or die.  The 2007 motor program with ERL Performance is huge.  We should come out hitting hard.  I want to thank DVS Shoe Company, Todd Stein at BFGoodrich Tires, and Sean Reagan at ERL Performance.  I also want to thank the tam and y truck driver.”