Mopar_® Sportsman competitors turned in exceptionally strong efforts in both the Stock and Super Stock Eliminator categories at the NHRA Finals, including a win in Stock by former world champion Austin Williams. Three of the four semifinalists in the category drove Mopar-powered vehicles.

Williams, who hails from Burleson, Texas, took his eighth national event Wally trophy in Stock behind the wheel of his G/SA 1972 Plymouth Duster 340. In the final, he turned in a lap of 11.080 seconds at 109.61 mph, exactly running his 11.08 dial-in. Williams left the line with a .025-second reaction time. He bettered opponent Chris Stephenson’s 10.620 at 122.56, who had a reaction time of .054. Stephenson’s dial-in was 10.64, meaning he broke out by .020.

In Super Stock Eliminator, Jon Irving of Henderson, Nevada, turned in the best effort for Mopar, reaching the third round in his SS/MA 1980 Dodge Aspen. In the round, Irving made a pass of 11.177 at 113.96 on an 11.19 dial-in, breaking out by .013. He left the starting line with a .036 reaction time. The vehicle is powered by a 318 cubic-inch engine and features a four-barrel carburetor. It has always been a racecar and only has 25 street miles.

Williams and Irving each claimed the Dodge Top Finisher award of their respective categories. The program was in place at all 24 national events in 2017, and provided a $500 bonus to the Stock Eliminator and Super Stock Eliminator driver who advanced the farthest in a Dodge or Plymouth vehicle.

In addition, Troy Johnston of Keyport, Washington, took the Sportsman ET win in a ’72 Duster.