NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Reigning NHRA Comp Eliminator national champion Craig Bourgeois of Metairie, La., led the list of champions crowned on Sunday at the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky.

Bourgeois drove his nostalgia dragster to a 6.884-second run at 172.72 mph to defeat Jason Coan’s 8.057 at 161.03 in his dragster. Bourgeois, now an eight-time national event winner, was the No. 1 qualifier heading into the category’s eliminations while Coan was No. 2.

Winners celebrated in the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals winner's circle at Beech Bend Raceway Park.

Craig Bourgeois took the Comp Eliminator trophy back to Metairie, La., knocking out Jason Coan in the final round.

Kentucky racer Houston Raikes of Bradfordsville drove his '71 Chevelle his first career win in Stock.

In Super Stock, Brad Zaskowski, of Grand Rapids, Mich., sprinted to a 10.219 at the controls of his ’87 Camaro to defeat Jimmy Hidalgo Jr., who is coming off a recent victory in Atlanta. Hidalgo Jr.’s ’99 Firebird lost traction soon after leaving the starting line and crossed the center line. This is Zaskowski’s sixth NHRA national event win.

Sixteen-year old Houston Raikes, from Bradfordsville, Ky., appearing in his first NHRA national event, drove to the Stock Eliminator title by beating Craig Marshall in the final. Raikes, who was also racing in his first quarter-mile event, drove his ’71 Chevelle to a 10.487 to defeat Marshall’s 11.033 in his ’74 Dodge Dart.

There was another first-time winner in Super Comp when Tyler Bohannon of Louisville, Ky., raced his dragster to the winner’s circle over Nick Folk on a double breakout win. Bohannon posted an 8.893 to better Folk’s 8.891 on the category’s 8.90 index.

Craig Anderson, from Waxahachie, Texas, sprinted to victory over Rob Stigall in Super Gas. Anderson notched a 9.891 in his ’63 Camaro to beat Stigall’s 9.833 on a double breakout against the category’s 9.90 index.

In Super Street, Michelle Furr drove to her third national event win by racing her ’68 Camaro past Jimmy Bannister in the final. Furr, of Galax, Va., posted a 10.882 do defeat Bannister’s 10.867 on another double breakout run on a 10.90 index.

Jerry Albert of Avon, Ohio, a past North Central Division champ and JEGS Allstars winner, won the Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs event by outlasting Greg Coffman in the final round. Albert powered to a 6.939 in his ’97 Camaro to beat Coffman’s 7.102 in his ’93 Olds Cutlass.

In the Top Dragster presented by Racing RVs event, Danny Nelson, from Batesville, Ark., raced his dragster to a 6.730 to knock down Bob Mandell III’s 7.187 in his dragster.  It was Nelson’s first-ever national event victory.

A showcase for NHRA Lucas Oil Series drivers, the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals returned to its birthplace in Bowling Green for the first time since 1986. The event attracted a field of nearly 600 drivers from all over North America.

Competition Eliminator
Craig Bourgeois, Metairie, La., ’05 Haase, 6.884 seconds, 172.72 mph def.
Jason Coan, Kokomo, Ind., ’16 Jesse Plant, 8.057 seconds, 161.03 mph.

Super Stock
Brad Zaskowski, Grand Rapids, Mich., ’87 Camaro, 10.219 seconds def.
Jimmy Hidalgo Jr., Donaldsonville, La., ’99 Firebird, DISQ.

Stock Eliminator
Houston Raikes, Bradgordsville, Ky., ’71 Chevelle, 10.487 seconds def.
Craig Marshall, Columbus, Ohio, ’74 Dart, 11.033 seconds.

Super Comp
Tyler Bohannon, Louisville, Ky., ’13 dragster, 8.893 seconds def.
Nick Folk, Durand, Ill., ’13 dragster, 8.891 seconds.

Super Gas
Craig Anderson, Waxahachie, Texas, ’63 Camaro, 9.891 seconds def.
Rob Stigall, Brentwood, Tenn., ’67 Chevy Nova, 9.833 seconds.

Super Street
Michelle Furr, Galax, Va., ’68 Camaro SS, 10.882 def.
Jimmy Bannister, La Vergne, Tenn., ’73 Vega Wagon, 10.867 seconds.

Top Sportsman
Jerry Albert, Avon, Ohio, ’97 Camaro, 6.939  seconds def.
Greg Coffman, Russellville, Ky., ’97 Cutlass, 7.102 seconds.

Top Dragster
Danny Nelson, Batesville, Ark., ’16 dragster,  6.730 seconds def.
Bob Mandell III, Culleoka, Tenn., ’11 dragster, 7.187 seconds.
 

SATURDAY

Qualifying and specialty events complete

Qualifying, time trials and specialty bonus events concluded on Saturday at the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals presented by Quick Fuel. Competition Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will begin eliminations at 8 a.m. on Sunday at the historic Kentucky track.

In Competition Eliminator, Craig Bourgeois from Metairie, La., took the top qualifying position with a 6.804 second pass in his ’05 Haase. Bourgeois, the reigning Lucas Oil Comp champ, powered to the No. 1 spot by posting a run 0.726 seconds under his index. Bourgeois will open Sunday’s eliminations with a first round bye. Jason Coan qualified second in his dragster. Greg Kamplain is third, Frank Cervelli is fourth and Bruno Massel, a reporter for NHRA on FOX, is fifth.

Dan Jacobs, from Elizabeth, Ind., raced his ’05 Cavalier to the No. 1 spot in Super Stock. Jacobs posted a 9.339 to cross the finish line at a category best 1.161 seconds under his index.  Jacobs will face Brad Zaskowski of Grand Rapids, Mich., in Sunday’s first round. Aaron Stanfield of Bossier City, La., qualified second in his ’87 Camaro while Todd Frantz and Mark Nowicki qualified third and fourth, respectively. Dale Meers is fifth and Mike Cotten, who posted a runner up finish last week in Topeka, Kan., is sixth.

In Stock, Gary Summers of Franklin, Ky., raced to the top qualifier with a 13.563 in his ’75 Mustang. Summers’ elapsed time was 1.287 seconds under his index. He will race Joe Martens in Sunday’s opening round. John McCarthy, hailing from Lyndon, Ky., is second in his ’60 Kingswood station wagon. Jimmy Hidalgo Sr. is third, Randy Eakins is fourth and Travis Morgan is fifth.

Lester Johnson of Cynthiana, Ky., sprinted to the No. 1 qualifier in Top Sportsman by posting a 6.143 at 228.04 mph in his ’55 Bel Air. Johnson will have a first round bye to start Sunday’s eliminations. Eric Burnett is No. 2 and Cheyenne Stanley, who is also from Cynthina, Ky., is No. 3. Rick Corn, from Paducah, Ky., qualified fourth and was followed by Paul Pittman in fifth.

In Top Dragster, Andrew Johnson from Cynthiana, Ky., qualified No. 1 with a 6.268 at 221.78. Johnson will face Steve Cohen in the first round of eliminations. John Deakins from Louisville, Ky., qualified second, Mike Coughlin of Team JEGS qualified third and Mario Boesch Jr. qualified fourth.

Jason Coan, near lane, took out reigning world champion Craig Bourgeois in the C-Tech Comp Fast Four Shootout

Tim Paap collected the win in the RacingRVs Top Dragster Fast Four with a 6.311-second, 214.86-mph lap.

Steve Kent, Hemi Chootout winner.

Saturday’s portion of the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals presented by Quick Fuel also featured a number of specialty bonus events.

Comp competitors competed in the C-Tech Manufacturing Comp Fast Four Shootout. In the final round of the bonus event, Coan drove to a 8.050 at 161.19 to outlast Bourgeois’ 9.744 at 102.30 to pick up the first-place check.

Super Stock competitors put on a wheel-standing show during the Hemi Shootout, a special event to honor late NHRA racers Tim Hebert and “Big Joe” Teuton. Steve Kent, of Lottie, La., and a former Pro Stock driver in the NHRA Mello Yello Series, won the event by beating Doug Fazzolare, of Houma, La. In the final round, Kent drove his ’68 Barracuda to an 8.550 at 145.86 to defeat Fazzolare’s 8.901 at 139.34.

Racers in Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street finished up their time trials for Sunday’s eliminations and also competed in the 16-car Lucas Oil / K&N Filters Super Shootouts on Saturday.

Ryan Richardson, from Greenbrier, Tenn., raced to victory in the Super Comp portion of the Lucas Oil / K&N Filters Super Shootouts. Richardson raced to a 8.889 at 170.17 to beat Marshal Glass’ 8.876 at 149.28 on a double breakout.

In Super Gas, Steve Hoyt of Fort Wayne, Ind., won the specialty event over Brentwood, Ten., resident Rob Stigall. Hoyt powered his ’63 Corvette to a breakout win with a 9.902 at 168.62 compared to Stigall’s 9.891 at 140.34.

Philip Smida of Canfield, Ohio, won the Super Street portion of the Lucas Oil / K&N Super Shootout on a holeshot by racing his ’88 Cavalier to a 10.918 at 140.68 and crossing the finish line before Bowling Green local Mark Smith, who posted a 10.917 at 127.56 in his ’82 Mustang.

Top Dragster and Top Sportsman racers competed in the Racing RV’s Top Sportsman / Top Dragster Fast Four Shootout. Pittman, who also has experience in the Pro Stock class, raced to victory in his ’13 Camaro over Burnett during the Top Sportsman specialty event on Saturday. Pittman sprinted to a 6.497 at 214.42 to beat Burnett’s 6.373 at 225.45 on a holeshot. In Top Dragster, Tim Paap from Charleston, Ill., sprinted to a 6.311 at 214.86 to defeat Joe Fisher’s 6.387 at 224.70.

A showcase for NHRA Lucas Oil Series drivers, the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals has returned to its birthplace in Bowling Green for the first time since 1986. The event has attracted a field of nearly 600 drivers from all over North America including NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series professionals Shawn Langdon and Bo Butner.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Saturday’s final results from the specialty bonus events held at the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals presented by Quick Fuel at Beech Bend Raceway Park.

C-Tech Manufacturing Comp Fast Four Shootout
Jason Coan, Kokomo, Ind., ’16 Jesse Plant, 8.050 seconds, 161.19 mph def.
 Craig Bourgeois, Metairie, La., ’05 Haase, 9.744 seconds, 102.30 mph.

Tim Hebert / Big Joe Hemi Shootout
Steve Kent, Lottie, La., ’68 Barracuda, 8.550 seconds, 145.86 mph def.
Doug Fazzolare, Houma, La., ’68 Dart, 8.901 seconds, 139.34 mph.

Lucas Oil / K&N Filters Super Shootouts
Super Comp
Ryan Richardson, Greenbrier, Tenn., ’14 dragster, 8.889 seconds, 170.17 mph def.
Marshal Glass, Hopkinsville, Ky., ’23 Ford T-altered, 8.876 seconds, 149.28 mph.

Super Gas
Steve Hoyt, Fort Wayne, Ind., ’63 Corvette, 9.902 seconds, 168.62 mph def. 
Rob Stigall, Brentwood, Ten., ’67 Chevy II, 9.891 seconds, 140.34 mph.

Super Street
Philip Smida, Canfield, Ohio, ’88 Cavalier, 10.918 seconds, 140.68 mph def.
Mark Smith, Bowling Green, Ky., ’82 Mustang, 10.917 seconds, 127.56 mph.

Racing RV’s Top Sportsman / Top Dragster Fast Four Shootout
Top Sportsman
Paul Pittman, Bloomington, Minn., ’13 Camaro, 6.497 seconds, 214.42 mph def.
Eric Burnett, Charlestown, Ind., ’05 Cavalier, 6.373 seconds, 225.45 mph.

Top Dragster
Tim Paap, Charleston, Ill., ’11 dragster, 6.311 seconds, 214.86 mph def.
Joe Fisher, Clatyon, Ohio, ’15 dragster, 6.387 seconds, 224.70 mph.

Friday racing complete at JEGS SPORTSnationals

Rain cut qualifying and time trials short Friday at the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  Runs were scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. but weather delayed racing until 1 p.m. on Friday. Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street completed a single session on Friday at the historic Kentucky track.

In Super Stock, Dan Jacobs leads qualifying through Friday in his ’05 Cavalier. Jacobs ran 1.129 seconds under his 10.50 second index to take the provisional lead. Aaron Stanfield, son of four-time world champion Greg Stanfield, is second in his ’87 Camaro. Mike Cotten, who posted a runner up finish last week in Topeka, Kan., is third in his ’87 Camaro. Leonard Mattingly, from Coxs Creek, Ky., is eighth.

Gary Summers, from Franklin, Ky., powered his ’75 Mustang to the qualifying lead in Stock Eliminator. Summers posted a 13.694 second pass to cross the finish line 1.156 seconds under his 14.85 index. Bill Sempsrott, from Franklin, Ohio, is currently qualified second in his ’66 Nova and is followed by Andrew Hill and Gary Robillard in third and fourth, respectively. Jimmy Hidalgo Jr., from Donaldsonville, La., is fifth in his ’04 GTO. Hiladgo Jr. recently won the Super Stock title in Atlanta and also posted a runner up finish at the same event in Stock. Tommy Turner, from Tompkinsville, Ky., is 10th.

Racers in Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street began their time trial runs on Friday in preparation for Saturday’s 16-car Lucas Oil / K&N Filters Super Shootouts, and Sunday’s final eliminations.

Leading the 16-car field in Super Comp is Ryan Richardson from Greenbrier, Ten. Richard posted an 8.900 at 179.37 to perfectly match the category’s 8.90 index. Shannon Mingee from Urbana, Ill., is second and Megan Strassweg from Evansville, Ind., is third.

Troy Coughlin Jr., representing event sponsor JEGS Mail Order, is currently qualified first in Super Gas in his ’57 Corvette. Coughlin Jr. raced to a 9.900 at 163.97, posting a perfect run against a 9.90 index. Dwight Nuest, from Kouts, Ind., and Brian Folk, from Durand, Ill., are qualified second and third, respectively, for the bonus event. Rusty Cook of Cynthiana, Ky., is currently 12th.

Philip Smida, hailing from Canfield, Ohio, currently leads the Super Street category heading into the specialty Shootout event. Smida races an ‘88 Cavalier. He is followed by Nick Vogelsang in second and Denny Napier in third. Robert Armbrsuter from Clinton, Ky., is seventh, Bitsy Satterly from Lawrenceburg, Ky., is ninth, Marshal Glass from Hopkinsville, Ky., is 14th and James Hinkle from Danville, Ky., is 15th.

A showcase for NHRA Lucas Oil Series drivers, the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals has returned to its birthplace in Bowling Green for the first time since 1986. The event has attracted a field of nearly 600 drivers from all over North America including NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series professionals Shawn Langdon and Bo Butner.

Qualifying for the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals will resume at Beech Bend Raceway Park at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 27. Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will each get one more session while Competition Eliminator, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will get two sessions. Saturday’s schedule will also feature the popular class eliminations for Super Stock and Stock drivers.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals presented by Quick Fuel:

SUPER STOCK
1) Dan Jacobs, Elizabeth, Ind., '05 Cavalier, GT/E, 9.371 seconds, -1.129 (under index)
2) Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City, La., '87 Camaro, GT/FA, 9.816, -0.984
3) Mike Cotten, Cave Creek, Ariz., '70 Barracuda, SS/JA, 10.021, -0.979
4) Dave Dupps Jr, Germantown, Ohio, '87 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.278, -0.972
5) Tucker Wingo, Springfield, Tenn., '96 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.032, -0.968
6) Jim McBean, Chardon, Ohio, '95 Mustang, GT/CA, 9.447, -0.953
7) Matt Hoover, Adamsville, Tenn., '01 S-10, GT/TB, 9.905, -0.945
8) Leonard Mattingly, Cox's Creek, Ky., '96 Achieva, GT/IA, 10.256, -0.944
9) Irvin Johns, Memphis, Ind., '08 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.181, -0.919
10) Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., '98 Avenger, FGT/E, 9.585, -0.915

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Gary Summers, Franklin, Ky., '75 Mustang, U/SA, 13.694 seconds, -1.156 (under index)
2) Bill Sempsrott, Franklin, Ohio, '66 Nova SS, K/S, 11.481, -1.069
3) Andrew Hill, Royal Oak, Mich., '70 Camaro, D/SA, 10.514, -1.036
4) Gary Robillard, Walker, La., '09 Challenger, FS/H, 10.465, -1.035
5) Jeff Sharp, Louisville, Ky., '65 Chevelle Wgn, K/SA, 11.629, -1.021
6) Jimmy Hidalgo Jr., Donaldsonville, La., '04 GTO, E/SA, 10.686, -1.014
7) Jim Marshall, Indian Land, S.C., '77 Nova, I/SA, 11.304, -0.996
8) Patrick Downing, Adrian, Mich., '83 Malibu Wgn, N/SA, 12.010, -0.990
9) David Garrity, Greenfield, Ind., '74 Apollo, M/SA, 11.863, -0.987
10) Tommy Turner, Tompkinsville, Ky., '85 Mustang, M/S, 11.882, -0.968