Dan Braun takes Juniors at drag races

Dan Braun set the pace for the Kauai Junior Dragsters on Saturday when the Garden Isle Racing Association hosted its drag races at the Kauai Raceway Park in Mana.

Sponsored by Aloha Kia, Metalhaus, Street Image and S&S Business Machines, Braun took the whole shot after leaving the finals on a .240 light to run an 8.902 ET on an 8.90 dial in and reach 74.75 mph.

Taylor Montemayor chased the leader, but came up short after the dragster sponsored by Matsuda Bros. Racing, GM Fabrication, Kaya Race Fuels, Altered Image and the Kuhio Auto Group took off on a .120 light to run an 8.582 ET — a break out over his 8.65 dial in and topping 73.53 mph for runner-up honors.

Third place honors for the Kauai Junior Dragsters belonged to Ryancie Sakamoto who went on to capture Best Reaction honors on a 0.006 reaction time, and was one of three Academic Excellence awardees. The other awardees included T-Ryanne Sakamoto and Danika Brun.

Sanoe Kaluahine filled in the No. 4 spot in addition to nailing the Closest to Dial In award for a 7.95 ET over her 7.93 dial in. Kaluahine was also one of four Academic Excellence honorees, the other three being presented to Ryant Sakamoto, Taylor Montemayor and Devin Almarza.

Top Gun

Jesse Kealoha, sponsored by Hamasaki Brothers Racing, Kevin’s Repair, and Rapozo’s Auto Body, took the whole shot after leaving on a .197 light to run a break out 7.871 ET over lhis 7.89 dial-in and reaching 100.57 mph. Runner up honors went home with Michael Acoba, who ran a 10.413 ET on an 8.8 dial in and reaching 149.63 mph.

Bike

Dennis Stoner, sponsored by Suzuki Kauai, Napali Explorer, All Right Fitness, and Fat Clouds, captured the class on a .187 light to run an 11.285 ET over an 11.01 dial in and reaching 105.59 mph over the efforts of Karl Nakamura.

Nakamura, sponsored by Manny’s Repair, took off on a .208 light to post a 13.560 ET on a 13.25 dial in and reaching 98.7 mph.

Super Pro ET

Keith Nonaka took the field, sponsored by Brian Dela Cruz Photography, and Puhi Industrial Parts & Bearings, leaving on a .096 light to post an 11.288 ET on an 11.28 dial in and topping 113.8 mph.

Runner-up honors belonged to Donaven Gomes, sponsored by K & D Services, Rob’s Towing, S&S Speed Shop, K&S Septic Supplies, and Ching Young Village who left on a .152 light to post an 11.151 ET on his 11.1 dial in and reaching 120.04 mph.

Muscle V8

Kevin Suga nailed the class after Chris Bonilla red lighted by 0.10778. Suga, sponsored by Dan Suga Construction, Nex Gen Diesel, and Puhi Industrial took off on a .090 light to run a 12.307 ET on a 12.12 dial in and topping 87.46 mph.

Pro ET

A difference of less than 1 mph at the top end of the finals gave Jon Nakamura the trophy over Walt Barnes.

Nakamura, sponsored by Manny’s Repair, took off on a .119 light to post a 10.698 ET on a 10.69 dial in and reached 124.13 mph. Barnes, sponsored by Destination Autoworks and Kauai Power Yoga, took off on a .055 light to post an 11.253 ET on an 11.16 dial in to reach 124.07 mph.

Street

Myra Takekuma topped the field after leaving on a .271 light to run a 14.806 ET on a 14.5 dial in and reaching 90.39 mph.

Runner-up honors belonged to Maria R who left on a .367 light to run a 15.964 ET on a 15.65 dial in and reaching 86.05 mph.

Sport Compact

Bronson Tabios, sponsored by Frontbunch and HT Racing, took the class after leaving on a .139 light to run a 13.347 ET on his 13.05 dial in and reaching 99.59 mph.

Kelson Saiki, sponsored by HDH Production and Pau Hana T, settled into the runner-up spot after leaving on a .139 light to post a 12.399 ET over his 12.00 dial in and reaching 108.32 mph.

Buyback

A red light by Micah Robley by 0.21667 gave the class to Scott Williams, sponsored by Just Live Zip Line, who ran the line on a .058 light to post a 14.414 ET on a 12.23 dial in and reach 78.33 mph.

Garden Isle Racing Association will host its next drag races on June 3 — a night race — at the Kauai Raceway Park in Mana.