In an event that was originally billed as the ultimate high school rivalry at Bristol Dragway, two Sullivan East High School students turned the final round of the Sprint High School Nationals into the ultimate in-school rivalry.

Clinton Snead and Aaron Roberts, both juniors at East, worked their way through elimination rounds, eventually meeting to settle the score in the finals.

Roberts rolled out of the starting line a little too fast and received a red light disqualification, handing the win to his classmate.  With the victory, Snead earned a $3,000 scholarship to the college of his choice, while Roberts collected a $1,000 college scholarship for his runner-up finish.  

Snead used a .092 reaction time coupled with a 10.622 elapsed time at 130.10 mph to take home the money.  Roberts ran close to his dial-in, 13.962 E.T. on a 13.92 dial, but the red light negated his effort.

The two drivers have competed many times at Bristol Dragway, and have developed a close relationship through their love of racing.

"I knew Aaron was going to have to red light for me to win," said Snead, "He's a tough competitor."

Roberts echoed Snead's comments, saying a final round match-up between the two was the plan all day long.

"This is great," exclaimed Roberts.  "The idea was for both of us to make it to the finals, and then race for the win.  This is the way it always is with us.  He seems to win one, and then I win the next one.  I'm ready for my turn now."

Both drivers aren't exactly sure where their scholarship money will be used, but both agree that the money will beneficial in the near future.

"I'll use the money as soon as I need it, and I'm sure that will be soon after I start [college]," said Snead, who hopes to become an engineer.  "Everything helps, and this will be put to good use."

Interestingly, the 1986 Ford Mustang Snead drove to victory was built exclusively for the race by vocational students in Johnson County.  The students hoped to work on Snead's crew during the event, but the Johnson County prom prevented them from making the trip to Thunder Valley.

Matthew Ball of Honaker, Va. and Daniel Whitaker of Unicoi County each received a $500 scholarship for reaching the semis.

Action continues at Bristol Dragway with 4-Wheels Unlimited Truck Night at Street Fights on Thursday, May 1.  The J.W. Performance Transmissions Thunder Valley Southern Shootouts roar into town May 2-4.

For more information about Bristol Dragway events, please call (423) 764-DRAG.