INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines--Jonathan Young relied on his experience to pull off his first season win in the National Drag Racing Championship kickoff and second leg of the Philippine Drag Racing Championship- Northern Series recently at the Clark International Speedway.

Young clocked 12.654 seconds in beating up-and-coming Ronald Nierras (13.500) for the Expert crown.

It was a struggle for the defending champion, who had to eliminate two tough challengers, Boy Francisco and Russel Abobo, to advance to the semifinals. He then turned back Joey Galang to earn a finals ticket.

Nierras gained a finals slot when he outlasted Jimson Sze, Lanchester Uy and Morris Miranda in the early rounds before upstaging Allan Ararao of rival team Vannitec in the semifinals.

Galang placed third in 14.254, beating Ararao.

?It was exhausting, having to deal with several drivers to get into the finals,? said Young. ?I had to do some conservation measures and it?s a good thing the car lasted that long.?