NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The 18th annual Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals took place this past weekend at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the NHRA Lucas Oil Racing Series in full gear as winners were recognized in Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Stock, Super Stock, and the rest of the classes that encompass the nationwide series.

Garrett Bateman, Albany, Ore., and Casey Grisel, Orangevale, Calif., faced off in the Top Alcohol Dragster final round. Grisel’s car was up in smoke early and clicked off, registering a runner-up pass of 8.195 seconds, 112.59 mph. Bateman finished strong at 5.384 seconds, 271.24 mph to reel in the victory.

In an all-California Top Alcohol Funny Car final round, Shane Westerfield, Anaheim, Calif., earned his second national event win of the season and third overall. Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., fouled at the line, giving Westerfield the victory. Westerfield registered a victory pass of 5.547 seconds, 265.17 mph.

Alan Ellis, Mapleton, Utah, and Tony Mandella, Easvale, Calif., put on a great show in the Comp Eliminator final round. Ellis pulled out the victory by less than 20 feet on the dragstrip, finishing at 6.535, 187.89. Mandella was runner-up at 8.490, 155.45.

Chuck Phelps, Chandler, Ariz., took home his first national event Wally in the Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com final round. Phelps produced an almost perfect reaction time of .001 and finished at 6.603, 200.32. Kyle Seipel, Pleasanton, Calif., was the runner-up with a 6.941, 197.36.

Dean Hall, Guerneville, Calif., was able to hold off Ed Olpin, Pleaston Grove, Utah for the Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com national event Wally. Hall started off with a great light and never looked back cruising to 7.295, 188.89 to Olpin’s 7.160, 192.28. 

Defending Top Fuel Harley champion, Jay Turner, Julian, N.C., took one step closer to defending his title again, registering a victory pass of 6.460, 215.10 over Mike Pelrine.

The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were Chris Hall in Stock Eliminator; Mike Loge in Super Stock; Ryan Herem in Super Comp; and Rick Cates in Super Gas.

The following are the final results from the Denso Spark Plugs NHRA Nationals at Las Vegas Motor Speedway:

Top Alcohol Dragster 
Garrett Bateman, 5.384, 271.24 def.
Casey Grisel, 8.195, 112.59. 

Top Alcohol Funny Car 
Shane Westerfield, Chevy Camaro, 5.547, 265.17 def.
Doug Gordon, Camaro, foul

Comp Eliminator 
Alan Ellis, '23-T Ford, 6.535, 187.89 def.
Tony Mandella, Chevy S-10, 8.490, 155.45

Super Stock
Mike Loge, Plymouth Barracuda, 11.549, 113.04 def.
Tim Hall, Dodge Dart, foul

Stock Eliminator 
Chris Hall, Chevy Camaro, 11.013, 94.94 def.
Phil Mandella Jr., Chevy Chevelle, foul

Super Comp 
Ryan Herem, Dragster, 9.056, 153.21 def.
Luke Bogacki, Dragster, 9.049, 167.24

Super Gas 
Rick Cates, Chevy Corvette, 10.155, 138.20 def.
Tim Parker, Chevy Camaro, 11.894, 118.82

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com 
Chuck Phelps, Dragster, 6.603, 200.32 def.
Kyle Seipel, Dragster, 6.941, 197.36

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com 
Dean Hall, Chevy Corvette, 7.295, 188.89 def.
Ed Olpin, Chevy Camaro, 7.160, 192.28

Top Fuel Harley
Jay Turner, Dixie, 6.460, 215.10 def.
Mike Pelrine, Harley, 7.433, 138.31