April 30 - May 2, 2004 - IHRA Drag Review Green Light Gang, story by Jeanne Gendreau
Junior Master - Alesi Gerthe from Rockdale, Texas won the Junior Master class on Sunday and she won the ET Bracket Race on Saturday night. Mom, Lisa Gerthe said, "Alesi was so excited because her brother Ayrton won an Iron Man at the PM-1 Jr. Nationals in San Antonio this past March. Alesi had hoped to win her own Iron man in San Antonio, but we let a friend drive her car Saturday night in the parent's race and the motor was damaged. Alesi was heart broken by the lost motor and the lost chance to run competitively for the Iron Man on Sunday. Now she has her Iron Man and I can't tell you how proud we are of Alesi, not just for winning this past weekend, but also for handling herself in such a mature and professional manner amidst the failure of the motor in San Antonio. Alesi is a very sweet, polite and compassionate young lady, but when it comes to racing and her car "Blackie" she is extremely competitive, meticulous and down right "bossy". Just ask her dad/crew chief Duane who admits to being fired and rehired more than once this season. On the way home from the track late Sunday night, Alesi did let Dad know he has a little more job security after the successful weekend in West Texas. Alesi left the line with a .047 RT to runner-up Sarah Leek's .128 RT and she ran 8.29 on her 8.21 dial. Sarah broke out with a 7.92 on her 7.94 dial giving Alesi the illustrious Iron Man. Lisa said, "Thank you to everyone who stayed for the finals to cheer Alesi on, especially fellow racers Heather Shapley, Shaun Neidig and Brett Zampese. Also a big thanks to RCI, Craig Blossom and John Harden for supplying us with all the best parts. Last, but certainly not least, thank you Sherrie Barbour, IHRA Jr. Director, for your commitment, support and advocacy of Junior Drag Racing. You do an excellent job and it doesn't go unnoticed!"
