2025 Willis Racing Motorcycle Shootout – RECAP

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Willis Racing Motorcycle Shootout
Worldwide Technology Raceway
July 4-6, 2025

2025 Willis Racing Shootout Lights Up the 4th of July Weekend!

The 2025 Willis Racing Shootout went off like a grand finale fireworks show—loud, fast, and unforgettable! For the first time in the event’s three-year history, Mother Nature gave us a break with perfect weather all weekend long. And with red, white, and blue spirit in the air, the racing was as explosive as the holiday itself.

Friday Night Gamblers Race

The weekend kicked off with a Test & Tune followed by a fan-favorite Gamblers Race, and it did not disappoint. With 18 racers battling it out under the lights, the energy was electric. The pot paid back 80% to the winner with buybacks included, making it a high-stakes night of action.

After some fierce semifinal matchups—Dan McCarten over Sonny Bolton, and Joe Klemme defeating John Markham—the final came down to two heavy hitters.

Dan McCarten

Joe launched hard with a .017 reaction time, running 9.54 on a 9.48 dial-in. But Dan brought the fireworks of his own with a .030 light and ran an 8.289 on an 8.26 dial. That tighter package earned Dan the win by a razor-thin .0185 Margin of Victory.

Congrats to Dan McCarten, your Friday Night Gamblers Race Champion!

Saturday Showdown

Saturday was sizzling with hot weather and even hotter racing. With competition rolling in from across the Midwest, the day was split into two adrenaline-pumping classes:

WWTR Super Pro Bike – NHRA.tv Wally Day

The Super Pro Bike class came down to Ted Thompson from Downers Grove, IL and Darnell Dickerson from St. Louis, MO in the final. Darnell fought his way through John Markham and Nick Stewart, while Ted earned a quarterfinal bye and knocked out Sonny Bolton in the semis.

Ted Thompson

The final round was a fierce clash, with both racers going all-out for the coveted NHRA.tv Wally trophy and some serious bragging rights. Darnell with an uncharacteristic .104 light, running 9.464 on a 9.44 dial allowed Ted through the door. Ted was on fire and took full advantage with .008 light and lighting up the clocks with 8.725 on a 8.66 dial leading to his victory and the coveted Wally Trophy.

Congrats to Ted Thompson, your WWTR Super Pro Bike Race Champion!

The Willis Racing Shootout

$7,500 and Glory on the Line

After 7 rounds of full-throttle action, the field narrowed to two standouts: Janie Palm of Bunker Hill, IL and John Markham of Bowling Green, KY.

Janie lit up the bracket on her no-box, no wheelie bar Suzuki GEN3 Hayabusa street bike, defeating Bob Wesley, Ted Thompson, Joe Klemme, Arlow Charlton, Sonny Bolton, and Charles Willis Sr. to earn her shot at the crown.

John was double-entered, and while one entry went red in Round 4, he kept charging with his 2000 Kawasaki Razor KZ-based build powered by FuelTech. He eliminated Kaden Moore, Dale Stewart, Tremaine Williams, Skip Moore, Phil Humphrey, and took a bye in the semis to meet Janie in the final.

John McCarten

The final round was pure 4th of July fireworks. Janie left with a .058 light and ran 9.128 on a 9.09 dial-in, but John was dialed in like a rocket and launched, cutting a sharp .012 light and clocking 8.796 on an 8.74 dial-in.

Congratulations to John Markham, your 2025 Willis Racing Shootout Champion!

TIME SHEETS

PRIZE WINNERS

War Ready Racing $100 (#1 Qualifier) – Nick Steward
Vanson $500 Gift Certificate – TJ Barnard
Midwest Motor Sports $150 Certificate (Bounty Last Year’s Winner) – Skip Moore
Shinko Tire – Stewart Performance (Streetbike Going Farthest) – Janie Palm
Schnitz $25 Gift Certificate – Dan McCarten
Schnitz $25 Gift Certificate – Brandon Childress
Schnitz $25 Gift Certificate – Bob Moran
Schnitz $25 Gift Certificate – Mitch Kupfenstiner
190hookup.com $50 Gift Certificate – Dave Fortune
190hookup.com $50 Gift Certificate – Travis Edwards
190hookup.com $50 Gift Certificate – Brent Jones
190hookup.com $50 Gift Certificate – Ace Wiley
Tiger Racing Products Gift Certificate – Tyler Pearson
DME Racing $50 Gift Certificate – Arlow Charlton
DME Racing $50 Gift Certificate – Jason Miller
DME Racing $50 Gift Certificate – Dale Stewart
DME Racing $50 Gift Certificate – Brandon Childress

Photo Highlights

Click here to see the Photo highlights by Jason Wolke Photography

Thank you to all our Sponsors for the continued Support:

Thank you to the sponsors of the race that continue to support us year after year, we truly appreciate your dedication to the sport and loyalty to the Willis Racing Shootout!

TRACK DETAILS

Worldwide Technology Raceway
700 Raceway Blvd., Madison, IL 62060
Click here for detailed directions

www.willisdragracing.com

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