HERTFORD — Northeast Dragway racers faced tough conditions as they prepared for the fifth points race of the season on Saturday. The summer heat that had the drivers sweltering in their fire suits caused the track surface temperature to escalate to a blistering 135 degrees. Track officials took action by spraying down the track with alcohol during time runs. This helped eliminate the greasiness caused by excessive heat, effectively turning the slip into grip at the starting line.

Donald Wiggins of the Wicked Racing Team won first place in Top E.T. with his final-round win over Jeremy Potter. Wiggins' dragster ran 5.20 on his 5.19 dial, crossing the beams at 132.50 mph. This was the first win for Wiggins and his crew chief Larry Gillian.

Submitted photo (ENLARGE)

Donald Wiggins won first place in Top E.T. at Northeast Dragway in Hertford on Saturday. It was the first win for Wiggins and his crew chief Larry Gillian.

In the Modified Class, visiting racer Anthony Griekspoor Jr. collected the first-place trophy in his 1967 Chevy II sponsored by Radcliffe Marine and Riverside Performance Powerglides. Griekspoor was paired with current points leader Kevin Daughtry in the final round. Daughtry had the best reaction time of .507, but it was Griekspoor who ran closer to his dial in a double break-out run, turning on the win light.

Troy Styron celebrated another victory in the Street Class. Of the seven races Styron has competed in this season, he has recorded two wins and three runner ups. A record impressive enough to convince him to join the points race at the half-way point. Nathan Lilley of Camden, also having a great season, was runner up in his Chevy Malibu.

In the Pro Bike Class, Joe Koltuniak and K.C.Wilson raced for the trophy with Koltuniak taking the win light at 118.41 mph. Wilson, of the Big Boy Racing team, fouled with a red-light start.

Brandi Merritt scored another win for the McDonald Farms Race Team as she put her junior dragster in the winner's circle for the first time this year. Merritt was paired with Carey Curling in the final round where her advantage at the starting line paid off with a .029 margin of victory at the finish. Both drivers ran identical 7.94 elapsed times.

Gates will open Friday at 6 p.m. for Test and Tune and run from 7 to 10 p.m. Bracket racing will be on tap on Saturday with gates opening at 3 p.m. Time runs start at 5 p.m. and eliminations follow at 7 p.m. Log onto www.northeastdragway.net for more details and upcoming events.