At the recent Riverbend Nationals at Dragway at The Bend, Tony Antonino was announced as the Western Conference final winner for Super Street following a countback after being eliminated in the second round by event winner, Andrew Waight.

Antonino came into the weekend on the points cap alongside Michael Jennings, who was knocked out in round one by Top Qualifier Katrina Read while claiming the Western Conference runner-up honours.

“The Riverbend Nationals were run very well and it was a successful meeting,” Antonino said.

“I really want to thank the fellow racers and congratulate the other winners and runners-up of the Western Conference. Thank you also to my crew, Bergamin Brothers Racing, and my family for supporting what I love doing so much.”

Waight’s event win came after knocking out Wayne Edwards in round one and Read in round three, before a victory over Tex Griffith in round four before the final match-up against Michael Bridges.

It is worth noting that if Bridges had been able to win the event final, it would have been him and not Antonino celebrated as the Western Conference final winner.

“This is awesome. It was a ripper weekend that was put together, and it was good to finally put the wagon in the winner’s column!” Waight said.

“It was such an awesome, great event. The Finals ran like clockwork, congratulations to all involved for sure.

“Pretty much everything went to plan for us over the weekend. It is a shame that Michael Bridges was having some engine issues in the final and so wasn’t able to bring all he normally could to the final, but he did the best he could.

“It was a great weekend, a tough weekend, a long weekend, but it was unreal, textbook. I am still lost for words really.”

Meanwhile, event runner-up Michael Bridges stormed through the brackets with defeats over Allen Brooks (round one), Stefan Lainas (round two), and Paul Aforozis (round three) before a bye in round four.

A full complement of Aeroflow National Sportsman Championship racers descended on the state-of-the-art South Australian venue for the April 5-7 event alongside Top Fuel, Top Doorslammer, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, putting it all on the line for the highly anticipated conclusion to the Western Conference.

For an overview of the Riverbend Nationals results for all brackets, including group one, please click here.

For a detailed rundown of how each of the sportsman brackets unfolded over the weekend, please click here.

IMAGE THANKS TO CACKLING PIPES