Fletcher wins 100th NHRA national event; Bogacki doubles
Many special moments were made this past weekend at Route 66 Raceway. Dan Fletcher and team celebrated in winner’s circle as Fletcher took home his 100th national event win. Mark McDonald took home trophies from both the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the JEGS Allstars championship event.
Fletcher racing out of Churchville, N.Y., squared off against West Coast rival Greg Ventura from Corona, Calif., in the Super Street final round. Ventura was a few ticks too quick on the Tree and turned on the red light, giving Fletcher his 100th national event Wally. The New York driver recorded his victory lap at 11.681 seconds, 94.65 mph. He is only the third driver in NHRA history to win 100 national events, joining John Force (148) and Frank Manzo (105).
McDonald, Boonville, Ind., captured his second national event win, downing Todd Ewing, Vinemont, Ala., in the Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs final round. McDonald took the starting-line advantage and outran Ewing, coming in at 6.677 seconds, 195.79 mph. Ewing runner-upped at 6.833 seconds, 192.66 mph. McDonald also captured the Top Sportsman crown in JEGS Allstars final round, outlasting J.J. Heber of Centennial, Colo., on Saturday.
McDonald was not the only driver to double up this weekend. Local Illinois racer Luke Bogacki of Carterville took home the Super Comp and Super Gas crowns. Bogacki (8.909 seconds, 169.32 mph) edged out fellow Illinois driver and 2016 Lucas Oil Super Comp champ Nick Folk (8.918 seconds, 168.81 mph) in that class' final round. In the Super Gas final round, Bogacki hit a perfect light .000 and ran 9.930 seconds, 149.10 mph to cruise to victory, upending Mike Sawyer, Leominister, Mass. Folk did take home the Super Comp championship in the JEGS Allstars event.
Father and son battled in the final round of Super Stock as Greg and Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City, La., met at the starting line. Aaron took the starting-line advantage and never gave his dad the chance to get back into the race. Aaron recorded his victory lap at 9.909 seconds, 128.74 mph vs. Greg's 9.059 seconds, 141.56 mph.
Megan Meyer of Olathe, Kan., defeated 2016 Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster champion Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., for the first time in her career in the final round of TAD. Meyer took the lead and never gave Severance, who had technical issues midway through race, a chance. Meyer finished at 5.427 seconds, 263.46 mph vs. Severance's 5.798 seconds, 181.96 mph.
In a battle for Southern California bragging rights in Top Alcohol Funny Car, Sean Bellemeur, Placentia, ran 5.528 seconds, 266.90 mph to defeat Shane Westerfield, Anaheim, who clocked in at 6.095 seconds, 239.44 mph, in the final round.
The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were David Rampy in Comp Eliminator, Brad Burton in Stock, and Zach Sackman in Top Dragster.
The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central event at Route 66 Raceway in Joilet:
Top Alcohol Dragster
Megan Meyer, 5.427, 263.46 def. Joey Severance, 5.798, 181.96.
Top Alcohol Funny Car
Sean Bellemeur, Chevy Camaro, 5.528, 266.90 def. Shane Westerfield, Camaro, 6.095, 239.44.
Competition Eliminator
David Rampy, Roadster, 7.741, 130.12 def. Brian Hyerstay, Dragster, Foul - Red Light.
Super Stock
Aaron Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 9.809, 128.74 def. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 9.059, 141.56.
Stock Eliminator
Brad Burton, Pontiac Firebird, 10.412, 119.87 def. Justin Picillo, Dodge Challenger, 10.010, 126.93.
Super Comp
Luke Bogacki, Dragster, 8.909, 169.32 def. Nick Folk, Dragster, 8.918, 168.81.
Super Gas
Luke Bogacki, Chevy Corvette, 9.930, 149.10 def. Mike Sawyer, Chevy Cavalier, 9.890, 163.06.
Super Street
Dan Fletcher, Chevy Nova, 11.681, 94.65 def. Greg Ventura, Nova, Foul - Red Light.
Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs
Mark McDonald, Ford Mustang, 6.677, 195.79 def. Todd Ewing, Chevy Camaro, 6.833, 192.66.
Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs
Zach Sackman, Dragster, 6.206, 189.20 def. Shanna Snyder, Dragster, 6.262, 231.36.