Kyle Wanamaker Wins 2024 WDRA Summit Sportsman World Championship
Michigan may soon become known for being the birthplace of champions as another Great Lakes State native returns, yielding a WDRA Summit World Championship. Kyle Wanamaker, the thirty-seven-year-old father of four, conquered the Sportsman ranks during the WDRA Summit World Championships presented by SunCoast Performance at Montgomery International Dragway.
Like many bracket racers, his father introduced Wanamaker to the sport at a young age. Now, that passion has grown to include his children. Each points race at US 131 Motorsports Park features nine Wanamakers looking for a celebration in the winner’s circle, including three of his children, his father, brother, nephew, and nieces.
The second-generation racer first got behind the wheel of his ’79 Plymouth Volare in 2010, and it continues to be the only car he has competed in full-time. The partnership has resulted in three track championships, several high-ranking points finishes, and a bracket finals victory over fifteen seasons. Nonetheless, the highest merit was ever elusive until October 26th.
In Wanamaker’s case, the third time is the charm, as he walked away with a world title after qualifying for the third time in his racing career. On his road to the championship, Wanamaker eliminated Brantley Duncan from Ware Shoals Dragway, Cody Spears from Greer Dragway, Joe Fox from Keystone Raceway Park, and Chris Mesbergen from Mid-Michigan Motorplex, before facing off with Brainerd Motorsports Park’s champion, David Bigham.
In the double Mopar duel, Wanamaker is instantly crowned the 2024 WDRA Summit Sportsman World Champion when Bigham illuminates the red light by three thousandths of a second. After seeing the win light in his lane, “I put it in neutral and thought about what just happened. I was in shock that I was a World Champion; it was surreal,” explained Wanamaker.
During the winner’s circle celebrations, Wanamaker revealed this was his second $10,000 payday of the season after winning the No Box class during Mopars Against the World at Northern Michigan Dragway in July. However, when asked about ranking his accomplishments, the humble racer admits a WDRA World Championship lands in the top spot.
“I don’t know how to top this. I’m still not used to it when someone mentions that I’m a World Champion. I have to thank my dad and Tracy for all their help and hauling my car down to each world finals. Thank you to my family, friends, and everyone cheering us on for their support. Special thanks to my wife, Amber, for always keeping us organized and running our program and her business, Kreative Affect.”
Wanamaker’s win awarded him ten thousand dollars cash, a billet WDRA Rod trophy, and free entry into any WDRA member track event next season courtesy of the WDRA Champion Card. Additionally, each WDRA World Champion received a $1,000 gift certificate from Technocraft Trailer Cabinets and a Contingency Connection Championship Package.
One trip into the spotlight is exceptional, but twice would be extraordinary. Wanamaker is putting everyone on notice when he says, “I am already mentally preparing to defend my title next season.”
For more information about the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) and the Summit Sportsman Drag Racing Series, visit our website at www.racewdra.com.
This story was originally published on November 7, 2024.
The post Kyle Wanamaker Wins 2024 WDRA Summit Sportsman World Championship first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
