The Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association JDRL Lightning Series really was a test to each driver.  One driver took the points lead at the start and maintained throughout the entire series.  Any driver who wanted to pass the test would be required to defeat that driver.  Following is how the season unfolded.

Only one round would be contested at the opener on March 31^st because of moisture.  First round winners were Grace Presser, Rochelle Pappel, Amanda Presser, Molly Doherty, and Cynthia Dawson.  It was a five-way tie and the lady-drivers appeared to be in control.

The second event in the series on April 14^th saw Grace Presser defeat Casey Ladd in the finals which put Grace in a 30-point lead over all others.

Grace Presser earned her second victory of the season by defeating Demi Sether on April 28^th.  Grace’s point lead blossoms to 80 points over Casey Ladd and Cynthia Dawson.

Amanda Presser took her sister’s place on May 12^th with a victory over Rochelle Pappel.  Cynthia Dawson earned a semi-final finish and Grace leads her Amanda by 50 points in the series.

Grace is back to her normal self on May 27^th as the finals say Grace Presser earns a victory over Austin Calhoun in the finals.  This is Grace’s third victory in four completed events.  Her point lead is now 90 points.

The sixth event is a repeat – same winner over a different driver.  Grace Presser met and defeated Molly Doherty on June 2^nd with Rochelle Pappel earning a semi-final finish.  Rochelle is now in second place but is 140 points behind the leader who by now has earned four victories.

It appeared that if you wanted to win an event, the driver would need to defeat Grace Presser.  That is exactly what Rochelle Robnett did on June 16^th, defeating Grace in the first round and earning the victory over Casey Ladd in the finals.   Rochelle Pappel maintains her second place spot while Rochelle Robnett moves into third place.

The guys get their opportunity on June 30^th as Taylor Nielsen defeats Shannon O’Leary in one semi-final while Kiefer Eickmann defeats Cynthia Dawson in the other.  In the final, it is all Taylor Nielsen as he is able to run an 8.946 with a .030 R/T in the victory.  With Grace’s first round loss, Taylor is able to jump into second place in the points, but is still 110 points back.

Kiefer Eickmann scores his second successive final, but is overcome by the red-light giving the win to Demi Sether on July 14^th.  Rochelle Robnett and Brandon King earn semi-final finishes.  Grace Presser maintains her 120 point series lead over Rochelle Robnett and Taylor Nielsen.

On August 5^th, Molly Doherty downed a too-quick Rochelle Pappel in the finals.  Rochelle broke out by .012 in the loss.   Brandon King and Rochelle Robnett are semi-finalists for the second consecutive week.  Grace maintains her 110 point lead over the two Rochelles.

Twenty-two drivers faced off on September 2^nd.  Five rounds later, two Washington drivers faced off with Ryan Windhalm defeating Austin Calhoun by a .005 margin of victory.  Amanda Presser earned a well-deserved semi-final finish.  Grace Presser maintains her point lead over Rochelle Pappel.

On September 22^nd, the two Rochelles met in the final with Rochelle Pappel as the victor.  Cynthia Dawson and Amanda Presser were semi-finalists.  As a result of her win today, Rochelle Pappel pulls within 70 points of the points leader.  However, with the final event rained-out, Grace Presser has earned the 2007 JDRL Lightning Championship.