Battle of the Badges Brings New Rivalry to Top Gun Dragstrip

A dangerous high-speed chase is generally something law enforcement would rather avoid. But going really, really fast? Apparently, that’s another matter. Give two officers a sanctioned dragstrip and a little friendly rivalry, and the question becomes: Who’s faster?

During the final race weekend of the season on Sept. 26, Churchill County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Brian Miller and Fallon Police Sgt. Dewayne Edwards Jr. will represent their respective agencies at the region’s only National Hot Rod Association-sanctioned dragstrip, racing for bragging rights and a traveling trophy that, as of last week, organizers were still figuring out.

The drivers, however, are geared up and getting ready to rumble.

Motor Sports Safety Inc. treasurer Ed Keefe, one of four members of the nonprofit governing board that operates Top Gun Dragstrip south of Fallon, said he learned just how seriously the competition was being taken during a recent Chamber of Commerce luncheon. When the question of who would drive came up at the Fallon Police Department, Keefe was told there had initially been plenty of interest.

Battle of the Badges grew out of having local law enforcement officers doing community outreach during races. “They go out in the crowds, and the families, the vendors, and the drivers love to talk to them,” Keefe said. “Some of the officers bring their families with them.”

The agencies already compete through Battle of the Badges blood drives and holiday donation drives. Why not a race too? “We’re like … you guys each bring out your fastest vehicle, and you identify your most eager officer, and come out and we’ll race for a trophy,” Keefe said.

“The chief said we need to win this. Who’s our driver?” Keefe recalled. “They all backed away and they all pointed to one guy.” Battle of the Badges is now officially on the schedule.

The race comes during a year of transition at Top Gun. Three members joined the Motor Sports Safety Inc. board at the beginning of the year, while one remained. Longtime board members who retired continue to assist as consultants. The current board includes president Philip Sabatino, vice president Mark Gonzales, secretary Walt Stacey, and treasurer Ed Keefe.

The dragstrip traces its roots back about 30 years, when young people racing on rural roads had become a safety concern. Keefe said local drivers and community leaders sought a safer place to race. Some drivers worked at Naval Air Station Fallon and approached the Navy, which allowed racing on a runway for several years.

As NAS Fallon’s mission expanded and the TOPGUN fighter pilot training program moved to Fallon, the City of Fallon and Churchill County worked with the Bureau of Land Management to secure the property south of Fallon where Top Gun Dragstrip operates today.

Thirty years also means aging infrastructure, and Keefe said racers had become concerned the track might close. “We believe that we’ve shown enough improvement that the drivers are not concerned about that now,” Keefe said. “But now they’re demanding what they want.”

Work this year has included pavement improvements, electrical work, LED lighting, and technology and safety upgrades. Food and other vendors have also been added to race weekends.

Much of the work at Top Gun has long depended on people and organizations beyond its four-member board. Keefe said some supporters have helped for decades.

A&K Construction has assisted with the track, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District cleared weeds before the season, mosquito control crews visit regularly, and local businesses provide services and materials. Banner Churchill Community Hospital has provided emergency medical coverage on race days for decades, while racers and volunteers handle much of the work required to put on an event.

“We’ve had extremely good community support,” Keefe said.

When the track is “hot,” meaning conditions have been determined safe for racing, required emergency personnel must be in place, including emergency medical services and a fire crew.

“We want to show these drivers we’re looking out for them,” Keefe said. “And we’re going to run the place safe, or we’re not going to run it.”

The board also hopes to revive Top Gun’s $5 Fridays, when young drivers could bring their cars to the track for an inexpensive night of racing rather than testing them on public roads.

“That was the spirit and intent that the county commissioners and the mayor had when we started, was to get the kids off the street,” Keefe said.

Battle of the Badges will take place during Top Gun’s final race weekend of the season. Miller’s and Edwards’ vehicles must first undergo required NHRA safety inspections and participate in Test-N-Tune before the Sept. 26 showdown.

Then it comes down to two officers, two cars, one traveling trophy — and the sort of bragging rights likely to last considerably longer than a quarter-mile.