Battle Of The Imports Finals - Check Mate

Battle of the Imports wrapped up their 18th consecutive season at the Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA on October 18 and 19, 2008. For the first time in the long history of BOTI, it was the final race of the season that would determine most of the Pro Series classes. Along with picture-perfect weather, this was a weekend destined for very exciting racing.

In the Pro FWD class finals, it came down to a Chevy versus Scion battle. It was Marty Ladwig in his Lucas Oil Chevy Cobalt against Christian Rado in his World Products Scion tC. It seemed that Chris had the race in the bag since Marty was experiencing some mechanical gremlins and was posting some off-pace times. But in the end it was Marty who came out victorious with a sizzling 199 mph pass, just short of his goal for a 200 mph top speed.

The Pro Import championship had Kenny Tran with a pretty large points lead going into the final race of the year. It was going to take a record-breaking performance and some extremely good luck from Bryan Jimenez if he was going to snatch the championship from Kenny. These two Texans must have had the boost twisted up because both of the racers broke previous records. Bryan in his Everyone's Mortgage Chevy Cobalt walked away with the win and the faster record this round at Fontana, but it was Kenny and his Jotec Racing Scion tC who walked away with the 2008 Pro Import Championship and "The Frankie". "The Frankie" was designed and produced by the very same company that produces the actual Oscar, Emmy and all of the MTV Music Awards. These beauties are made with real marble and 24K gold and must have weighed at least 10 lbs.!

The semi-final match-up between Leslie Armendarez in her Scion Racing Scion tC and Norris Prayoonto in his Clutch Masters Honda Insight is what determined the 2008 Pro Stock championship. With a holeshot win it was Norris who clinched the championship and "The Frankie". Jeremy Lookofsky took home the race win with his dominating DVS Honda Civic.

The Street Comp class field was the quickest for 2008. With these streetcars the competitors had to be running faster than 10.1 seconds to make the show on Sunday. The spectators in the stands were treated to some of the best side-by-side action of the season. Battle finished the 2008 season with a very strong event. There were over 400 drag competitors, dozens of girls who came out and shook their stuff on stage and thousands of people who came out to check out the show. We should see some cool things from Frank Choi and Battle of the Imports for 2009.