12/28/2016
Don Droud Jr
Droud/Ochs Brothers Reflect on Exciting 2016 NCRA Sprint Title!
Park City, Kansas – December 28, 2016 - As the 2016 National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Precise Racing Products 360-sprint car division geared up for their 27th consecutive season, Don Droud, Jr. as well as Dave, Mike and the rest of the Ochs Brothers made the decision to compete full-time in Droud’s quest for the series championship.
“We knew we were going for the championship from the outset,” said the Lincoln, Nebraska veteran. “To be able to run with a Christian-based race team like the Ochs Brothers makes it worth it and because the NCRA is what they want to run.”
With Arkansas’ Derek Hagar claiming the first two opening point races of the season at 81 Speedway in Park City, including the $10,000 to win “Park City Cup/Air Capital Shootout,” Droud reeled off back-to-back victories at 81 Speedway and Dodge City Raceway Park respectively and the series point lead. His last feature victory came at a June 17 stop at Salina (Kansas) Speedway.
While Droud claimed his first ever sprint car championship and was happy to do it with the Ochs Brothers, the Western Kansas based team was just as enthusiastic.
“We were very excited to win this championship, not just for us but for Droud,” said Mike Ochs. “He has been trying for years to win a championship and this year he accomplished that.”
The familiar Ochs Brothers #1x has been a staunch supporter of NCRA since 1980 but their late father, Charlie, actually teamed with Danny King in 1977 and together they fielded a championship super modified for Dave Frusher in 1979. Their only other series championship came in 2009 with Garry Lee Maier, making this title very gratifying. Mike informs they will be back in 2017 to defend their championship.
Six-time and defending tour champion C. J. Johnson looked to claim his sixth consecutive championship and seventh overall but fell just 40-points short.
Droud and former tour champion Jeremy Campbell led the way with three victories while Hagar and Danny Wood each garnered two victories. Tony Bruce, Jr., Jack Dover and John Carney II (a $10,000 winner at Dodge City Raceway Park) each scored one victory a piece.
Droud will pick up his championship trophy and the rest of the top ten in the final point standings will all be honored at the series annual banquet on January 28, 2017, inside the Cotillion Ballroom in Wichita, Kansas.
The 28th consecutive season for the NCRA 360-ci sprint car division will open on March 23-25, 2017 at 81 Speedway with the seventh annual “Park City Cup/Air Capital Shootout” that will pay the Saturday night championship feature winner a series-history best $15,000 to win.
Article Credit: NCRA website
Submitted By: Isaiah Droud
