Competition Eliminator
2007 Champ: Frank Aragona, Jr. – Points per event: 87
No. 5 Points per event: 70
No. 10 Points per event: 66
With fewer events to claim towards points than the alcohol categories, Competition Eliminator lends itself to more late season runs. In allowing three of your first six national events and five of your first eight divisionals, divisional points definitely come at a premium. With some division’s schedules just getting started, the Comp championship is wide open. David Rampy could play spoiler, as he has three national event finals to his credit. If he decides to hit the divisional trail and make a run, could really make an impact.
- 1. Craig Bourgeois (Current Rank: 1, Points: 471, Events: (4 nat., 4 div.) Points per event: 67) Bourgeois (that’s BOOJ-wah for those of you not New Awlins oriented) has been on a tear with his potent B/Nostalgia Dragster. Recent win in the heat at Chicago shows there is plenty more left in his front engine digger. Couple that with the ability to drive both ends of the track, he’s going to be hard to beat. Needs a few more late round divisional showings to maintain his points lead.
- 2. Lou Ficco, Jr. (Current Rank: 14, Points: 261, Events: (3 nat., 1 div.) Points per event: 65) Ficco has gotten off to a strong start, collecting a national event win and a divisional win in four starts. Strong running B/Altered Planetary is usually towards the top of the qualifying order. With such a strong start and a strong car, is one of several cars that are poised to make a late season run in the points.
- 3. Dan Fletcher (Current Rank: 3, Points: 420, Events: (4 nat., 3 div.) Points per event: 70) Talented sportsman driver meets Rick Braun’s powerful C/Econo Altered. The duo has been a threat anywhere they have went. Fletcher’s prowess at both ends of the track has made this team a legitimate title contender this season. Has two divisional wins in three starts to go with two national event runner-ups. Has a real shot at the title.
- 4. Rodger Brogdon (Current Rank: 2, Points: 459, Events: (3 nat., 5 div.) Points per event: 57) Early season favorite has used up a lot of divisional events without a win. Has a national event win and a divisional runner-up to his credit thus far. However, if anyone had the resources and talent to field a car capable of such a run, Brogdon would certainly be one.
- 5. David Rampy (Current Rank: 24, Points: 243, Events: (5 nat., 0 div.) Points per event: 81) Rampy holds a definite wild card in this year’s points race. Typically this professional sportsman racer tends to race national events primarily for the prize money, if he does decide to make a run at the title, all bets are off. Has a fast car and is one of the best sportsman drivers, if not the best, ever.
- 6. Scott Benham (Current Rank: 13, Points: 262, Events: (2 nat., 2 div.) Points per event: 66) Texas engine builder doesn’t make a lot of stops on the tour, but makes his presence felt when he does. Has a divisional win and a national event runner-up to his credit this year. With a good start and the potential to run at the top of the pack just about anywhere, could mix it up with the boys at the top.
- 7. Frank Cervelli (Current Rank: 4, Points: 415, Events: (3 nat., 5 div.) Points per event: 52) Former Super Comp standout has made a nice transition to Comp in his C/Dragster Automatic. Has a divisional win and semi so far this year, but has been to a lot of races already. If he can win out the year, who knows where he could end up. A more likely scenario is a strong finish to the year and a possible top ten finish.
- 8. Pat Ross, Sr. (Current Rank: 5, Points: 393, Events: (3 nat., 5 div.) Points per event: 49) While certainly a contender anywhere he shows up, needs a strong finish to the year to remain in the top ten. Has a divisional win so far this year, so has a chance at a top ten finish if he can pick up one or two more this year.
Now you should be able to look at the remainder of the sportsman events this year with a good idea of the points implications of each racer. Give us your feed back at response@dragracingonline.com, or feel free to drop in and comment at one of my websites at www.InsideTopAlcohol.com, www.InsideCompRacing.com or www.InsideFastBrackets.com. - WH