NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series picked up from where it left off in April at Virginia Motorsports Park, after Mother Nature forced the event to be moved to this past weekend. Rich McPhillips and Kris Hool reeled in final-round victories to close out the divisional event.

McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., hit a great light (.008 second reaction time) powering his way down the strip for the win light leaving Dan Mercier, Saint-Michel, Que., behind him in the Top Alcohol Dragster final round. McPhillips crossed the finish line at 5.318 seconds, 276.63 mph; Mercier, had problems and slowed to 12.679 at 68.76 mph.

Dan Pomponio of Berlin, N.J. took the early lead in the Top Alcohol Funny Car final round but lost traction; Kris Hool, Evansville, Wyo., worked his way around his Northeast opponent and scored the final round victory, hitting his final stride at 5.507 seconds, 264.18 mph. Pomponio followed up at 6.226 seconds, 179.80 mph.

In the MX Industrial Top Dragster Presented by Selected Performance final round, Scott Luken, Perry Hall, Md., had an easy pass, clocking in at 6.866 seconds, 196.87 mph to eliminate Clayton Roberts, Willow Spring, N.C., who triggered the red light at the starting line. Sandy Wilkins,Mt Ulla, N.C., squared off against George Forster, Greencastle, Pa., in the final round of MX Industrial Magna Flux Top Sportsman Presented by Selected Performance. Wilkins gained the starting line advantage and held on successfully to take the win.

The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were: Frank Aragona Jr. in Comp Eliminator; Marty Rinehart Jr. in Super Stock; Jack Matyas in Stock; Amanda Boicesco in Super Comp; Jason Kenny in Super Gas; Brian Sawyer in Super Street; Tiina Duncanson in Pro Stock Snowmobile; Tyler Depascale in Junior Dragster 6-9; Haley Walter in Junior Dragster 10-12; Jordan Dittman in Junior Dragster 13-17; Rick Mattioli Super Street Quick 8; Kenny Lafollette in Super Gas Quick 8; Chris DePascale in Super Comp Quick 8; Jonathan Allegrucci in Stock Quick 8; and James Antonette in Super Stock Quick 8.

The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series visits the Northeast Division at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park Sept. 8-10. 

The following are Saturday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northeast Division Power in the Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.318, 276.63 def.
Dan Mercier, Saint-Michel, Quebec, 12.679, 68.76.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Kris Hool, Evansville, Wyo., '16 Camaro, 5.507, 264.18 def.
Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '10 Monte Carlo, 6.226, 179.80.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Frank Aragona Jr., Freehold, N.J., '15 Neil & Parks, E/DA, broke def.
Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., '05 dragster, F/ED, broke.

SUPER STOCK PRESENTED BY ATI PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS
Marty Rinehart Jr., Thomasville, Pa., '69 Camaro, SS/EA, 9.676, 129.22 def.
Jerry Hatch, Lubec, Maine, '70 Challenger, SS/EA, 9.813, 133.50.

STOCK ELIMINATOR PRESENTED BY ATI PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS 
Jack Matyas, Copo, 9.632, 127.50  def.
Jermey Holmes, Camaro, 10.441, 126.68.

SUPER COMP
Amanda Boicesco, Warminster, Pa., '02 Undercover, 8.915, 175.39 def.
Richard Bernier, Va. Beach, Va., '01 Quay, 8.981, 151.85.

SUPER GAS
Jason Kenny, Kutztown, Pa., '03 Corvette, 9.937, 158.73 def.
David Anspach, Suffolk, Va., '68 Barracuda, 9.911, 153.74.

SUPER STREET
Brian Sawyer, Acton, Mass., '67 Camaro, 10.920, 138.53 def.
Martin Ganjoin, Brick, N.J., '69 Camaro, 10.953, 131.16.

TOP DRAGSTER
Scott Luken, Perry Hall, Md., '12 Spitzer, 6.866, 196.87 def.
Clayton Roberts, Willow Spring, N.C., '06 Cavalier, foul.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Sandy Wilkins, Mt Ulla, N.C., '69 Camaro, 6.671, 198.55 def.
George Forster, Greencastle, Pa., '98 Monte Carlo, 7.367, 184.83.

PRO STOCK SNOWMOBILE
Tiina Duncanson, Acton, Ont., '10 Skidoo, 8.263, 155.56 def.
Frank Berard Jr, Troy, N.Y., '12 Skidoo, 8.352, 152.16.

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 6-9
Tyler Depascale, , , '02 Half Scale, 12.121, 50.68 def.
Frank Aragona III, Freehold, N.J., '07 URC, 12.062, 51.60.

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 10-12
Haley Walter, Delta, Pa., '05 Half Scale, 9.070, 72.31 def.
Paul Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., '14 Half Scale, foul.

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 13-17
Jordan Dittman, N Dinwiddie, Va., '13 Half Scale, 7.888, 83.01 was unopposed.

SUPER STREET QUICK 8
Rick Mattioli, Middlesex, N.J., '67 Camaro, 10.914, 131.88 def.
Martin Ganjoin, Brick, N.J., '69 Camaro, 10.899, 129.83.

SUPER GAS QUICK 8
Kenny Lafollette, Sarahsville, Ohio, '88 Mustang, 9.864, 149.98 def.
Mike Sawyer, Leominster, Mass., '03 Cavalier, foul.

SUPER COMP QUICK 8
Chris DePascale, Parlin, N.J., '00 Mullis, 8.902, 158.04 def.
Ed McCleaft, Shinglehouse, Pa., '06 BOS, 8.873, 178.68.

STOCK QUICK 8
Jonathan Allegrucci, Scott Township, Pa., '15 Challenger, FS/B, 9.198, 138.03 def.
Allison Smyth, Uxbridge, Mass., '98 Firebird, B/SA, 10.428, 124.16.

SUPER STOCK QUICK 8
James Antonette, Wantagh, N.Y., '98 Grand Am, SS/CS, 9.812, 130.37 def.
Marty Rinehart Jr., Thomasville, Pa., '69 Camaro, SS/EA, 9.690, 130.99.

EVENT RESUMPTION PREVIEW

PETERSBURG, Va. - The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast Division returns to Virginia Motorsports Park for the Power in the Park on Saturday, August 26. Drivers will be racing to earn points leading to divisional, regional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $519,000. 

Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.  The division’s MXI Magnaflux Top Sportsman and Top Dragster classes will also be in action this weekend, along with the Ultimax Pro Stock Snowmobiles.  Spectator admission is free.  Parking is $20. For additional information please call Virginia Motorsports Park, 804-862-3174, or visit www.virginiamotorsports.com. 

FRIDAY, August 25 
Gates Open – 7:30 a.m.
Test and Tune – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, August 26 
Gates Open - 8 a.m.
Time Trials - 8:30 a.m. 
Top Dragster, Comp and Top Sportsman Time Trial – 10:30 a.m.
Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car Time Trial – 11:15 a.m.
Eliminations Round One – Following Time Trial Session
TAD & TAFC Eliminations 2, 4, and 6 p.m.
 

POSTPONEMENT (APRIL 23)

Mother Nature got the best of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series this past weekend at Virginia Motorsports Park and the 2017 NHRA Northeast Division opener.

With weather forecasted for Sunday, NHRA and track officials altered the schedule and were hoping to run all rounds of eliminations on Saturday and complete the event. However, the wet weather came early, forcing officials to postpone the event, which has been rescheduled for August 26, back at Virginia Motorsports Park. Qualifying was completed, and all classes are closed to new entries except for the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League classes that are running in conjunction with the event.

When racing resumes on August 26, competitors will get one time run prior to the start of eliminations. Round one of Stock Eliminator was completed on Saturday prior to the rain putting a halt to the racing action. The track will be open on Friday, August 25, for a test ‘n’ tune day.

Northeast Division racers will head to Maple Grove Raceway, May 26-28, for their next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event.

PREVIEW

Petersburg, Va. - The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast Division arrives at Virginia Motorsports Park for the Power in the Park as the opening event in the NHRA Northeast Division. This Friday through Sunday, April 21-23, drivers will be racing to earn points leading to divisional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $519,000. 

Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street. The Stock and Super Stock classes are presented by ATI performance products. A highlight for the event is the Jr. drag racers running qualifying, eliminations, and finals on Saturday only. 

In addition, the division’s Top Sportsman Shootout MX Industrial.com Magnaflux Series, the MX Industrial Top Dragster Challenge, and the Ultimax Pro Stock Snow Mobile classes will also be running in conjunction with the event. This a free event for all spectators! The schedule is as follows: 

FRIDAY, April 21 – FREE FOR SPECTATORS!
Gates open at 7:30 a.m.  
Qualifying and time trials begin at 8:30 a.m. 
Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car qualifying at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.  
Top Dragster, Comp and Top Sportsman qualifying at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Pro Stock Snowmobile Time Trial 5:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 22 – FREE FOR SPECTATORS!
Gates open at 8 a.m.  
Qualifying and time trials begin at 8:30 a.m. 
Junior Dragster Qualifying 8 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Top Dragster, Comp, Top Sportsman qualifying at 10 a.m. Eliminations begin at noon.
TAD & TAFC qualifying at 11:30 a.m., Eliminations 3, 5 and 7 p.m.
Pro Stock Snowmobile Qualifying noon, Eliminations 2:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, April 23 – FREE FOR SPECTATORS!
Gates open at 8 a.m.  
Eliminations continue at 10:00 a.m.  

For additional information please call Virginia Motorsports Park, 804-862-3174, or visit www.virginiamotorsports.com.