Current Category : News and Headlines : Racing :
Gary Emmons Captures Two Championships in 2009 Season
As the curtain to the 2009 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Season was drawing to a close, Gary Emmons pulled off what only a very few handfull of drivers have ever done in the history of the NHRA. Not only did Gary capture the 2009 Super Stock Division 4 Championship after a year long heated battle with rival Joe Teuton and his Southland Dodge '68 Hemi Barracuda, but on November 8th, his semi-final finish at the final divisional race of the year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in his wheelstanding Lucas Oil 1998 Pontiac Firebird locked up the 2009 Stock Division 4 Championship.
Entering the event, Gary knew he had to make it to the semi-finals to pass reigning Division 4 Stock Champ Jarod Granier, a driver who had lead the points for the majority of the season. Gary was eventually stopped by brother Jerry who went on to win the event in the team's 1969 "big-block" Chevrolet Camaro. With this win, Jerry was propelled to the number 7 spot in the NHRA Lucas Oil National Standings.
Gary Emmons Captures Two Championships in 2009 Season"The pressure to pull this feat off was enormous. I really enjoy racing for the championship in the last few races of the season because it really makes you focus. It becomes so intense that you almost become numb," Gary states. He continues in a post race interview by commenting, "These points chases aren't for the faint-hearted. There are so many talented and skilled drivers, as well as teams competing for round wins and championships of their own, that it makes it much more special to actually pull it off. For Jerry to go onto the final and win it all after beating me was incredibly gratifying."
The 2009 season has been one of great reward for the Emmons brothers. In addition to the Super Stock and Stock division championships, Gary finished number 3 in the Super Stock national standings, just three rounds out of the number 2 position, and finished number 12 in the Stock national standings. Jerry finished the year number 3 divisionally and number 7 nationally in Stock.
