Strickland wins first 'Wally' trophy

SPOKANE, Wash. — After competing in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Top Sportsman class for two years, Moses Lake’s Mike Strickland walked away from the Spokane County Raceway June 14 with his first “Wally” trophy.

Strickland won his first “Wally” trophy — named for NHRA founder Wally Parks — with a victory over Todd Fricke of Pasco, Wash. Strickland drove his 2007 Mustang GT500 to the victory and past Fricke and his 1963 Corvette.

With the win on June 14 at the newly renovated Spokane County Raceway, Strickland took control of the Division 6 points lead.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is an eight race circuit, with the Spokane County Raceway marking the third stop on the tour.

Strickland has competed in the Lucas Oil Division 6 series for nearly two seasons and he said he was proud to get his first victory in the Top Sportsman class in Spokane.

“They are very, very hard to win,” he said of the drag races. “That was my first one. It has taken me two years to win.”

Strickland has competed in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series since 2008 and he was drawn to the sport because of the thrill of racing.

“I used to have fast street cars and I decided going fast on county roads wasn’t the best idea,” he said. “I decided to go down to the strip and I just got hooked with the speed (of the cars) and competing with other guys.”

Strickland’s GT500 is capable of reaching speeds of 200 mph and covering the quarter-mile drag strip in approximately 7 seconds.

Strickland said he competes in the Lucas Oil Division 6 Top Sportsman class because it brings together some of the best racers.

“They are divisional races and you are racing the best of the best — the cream of the crop,” he said.

Although Strickland won his first trophy June 14, he said he competes because of the cars.

“It is just a lot of fun racing other fast cars,” he said.

After his victory at the Spokane County Raceway Strickland traveled to Seattle to participate in the Lucas Oil Division 6 Top Sportsman class at the Pacific Raceways. Strickland finished third behind Frank Tamez (first) of Yakima, Wash., and Curt Geise (second) of Auburn, Wash., to keep the points lead, he said.

With a possible points championship at the end of the season, Strickland said he would have his participation in the 2010 season accounted for if he won.

“If you win the championship at the end of the year, your entry fees are covered for the next year,” he said. “And you get a nice check for winning.”

Strickland’s next stop on the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series is at the Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Ore., July 10 through July 12.