Gary Bingham drove his Stroupe-built, Doug Herbert Performance Parts Grand Am to his second win of the season in only three races at last weekend’s IHRA Division 9 Pro Am event at Mooresville Dragway. Bingham started off the year by capturing the Top Sportsman title at the IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals in Baton Rouge, La. just one month ago and now stands with a 2-1 win record for the year. As the ’94, ’95, and ’96 Top Sportsman World Champion, Bingham is no stranger to the winner’s circle; yet he remains humble in his approach and grateful for every win.

“In the words of Bret Kepner, ‘Unbelievable!’” said Bingham of his win. “This is an incredible start to our year, and we’re just so thankful. If I heard it once this weekend, I heard it ten times- we’re all just thankful to be out here racing. There are a lot of racers who are sitting on the sidelines this year, and we were almost in that group. Now to be through our third race of the year and to have two wins is simply unbelievable. It’s amazing how quickly events can be turned.”

Gary Bingham drove his Stroupe-built, Doug Herbert Performance Parts Grand Am to his second win of the season in only three races at last weekend’s IHRA Division 9 Pro Am event at Mooresville Dragway. Bingham started off the year by capturing the Top Sportsman title at the IHRA Mardi Gras Nationals in Baton Rouge, La. just one month ago and now stands with a 2-1 win record for the year. As the ’94, ’95, and ’96 Top Sportsman World Champion, Bingham is no stranger to the winner’s circle; yet he remains humble in his approach and grateful for every win.

“In the words of Bret Kepner, ‘Unbelievable!’” said Bingham of his win. “This is an incredible start to our year, and we’re just so thankful. If I heard it once this weekend, I heard it ten times- we’re all just thankful to be out here racing. There are a lot of racers who are sitting on the sidelines this year, and we were almost in that group. Now to be through our third race of the year and to have two wins is simply unbelievable. It’s amazing how quickly events can be turned.”

Bingham was deadly consistent on the tree all day and his Grand Am laid down a series of 4.98 passes to defeat his competition, including a .003 margin of victory in the semi-finals over Jeff Rudasill, who won the first Division 9 Pro Am of the season. Bingham faced off against friend and competitor Mark Payne in the final round. It was an all Stroupe Race Cars final as Payne lined up against Bingham in his ’06 Stroupe Cavalier. Payne had the starting line advantage but Bingham ran 4.980 on his 4.98 dial to take the win with a .001 margin of victory.

“I had a lot of close races and a few lucky wins this weekend. I’m convinced that Division 9 is home to some of the best racers in the country and I’m honored to race with them. It’s a tight knit group here. We’re like family. It’s not cut-throat or dog eat dog at all. I think a lot of us come as much for the fellowship of friends as we do for racing. That’s what makes this stuff so much fun. One of our Division 9 family members Don Shuford, crew chief for Sandy Wilkins, was in an accident last Friday and is in the hospital recovering. We want to wish him well. He and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Bingham pauses for a final thought on his stellar season so far: “The front bumper of my car reads ‘To God Be The Glory’ and that’s what this is all about. Win or lose, God gets the glory and praise.”

The Bingham Motorsports team would like to thank Doug Herbert Performance Parts, Tom Johnson Camping Center, Goodyear, Ron’s Fuel Injection, VP Racing Fuels, Bruno’s Racing Transmissions, Stroupe Race Cars, Scott at PAR Racing Engines, TCI,  MSD Ignition and Speedtech Nitrous. 

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