SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Ratcliff revels in nationals victory
The Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis took place on Labor Day weekend from Sept. 2-7.
The event, sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association, is regarded as The Masters of drag racing, and no one was more masterful than former Bowie High School graduate Kyle Ratcliff.
See, Ratcliff won the stock championship with an elapsed time of 10.608 seconds and a top speed of 120.55 miles per hour – defeating veteran driver Tom Rambo.
Ratcliff overcame plenty of odds to win the title – including a field of 181 other drivers.
“It was very grueling,” said Ratcliff, who also works as a financial planner in Denton, “especially the heat. It was very hot over that weekend. I was hot, and I was tired.”
Pete Peery, Kyle’s stepfather who lives in Bowie, serves as the crew chief. Peery was understandably proud with the accomplishment.
“It’s the Super Bowl of drag racing,” Peery said. “It’s the biggest race you’ll ever win in the NHRA. There are more entries at this event, and there’s much more prestige than any other race.”
Ratcliff’s road to the title wasn’t easy, having to win seven rounds to take the trophy.
In the opening round, all Ratcliff had to do was defeat 95-time national winner Dan Fletcher, and that’s exactly what he did.
Ratcliff said he had a “little bit better light” to defeat Fletcher, as was told to senior editor Kevin McKenna in National Dragster magazine, the official publication of the NHRA.
Then Ratcliff was challenged by four-time national champion Jimmy DeFrank. Ratcliff defeated DeFrank because he fouled by one one-thousandth of a second.
That’s how drag racing works. Every second counts. But every thousandth of a second means even more than that ever will.
The sport takes its toll mentally and physically.
Ratcliff said his ribs were sore after the final day because he beats his chest to prepare for every race.
In the final versus Rambo, Ratcliff dialed at 10.58. He took a lengthy lead and eventually claimed his second career win. Kyle also won at Topeka, Kan., a couple of years ago. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Kyle Ratcliff, a 1983 Bowie High School graduate, won the stock division at the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis in September. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (Courtesy photo from National Dragster magazine/NHRA)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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