Pac Division Drivers Clinch Championships

Words by Eric Lotz
Photos by Tim Marshall and James Drew

(Tim Marshall photo)

Sunday evening, Nov. 6, brought on cold weather with temperatures dropping into the 50’s forcing NHRA and track officials to postpone the remainder of eliminations until Monday morning for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Short Line Express Gambler Showdown event at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was the final Lucas Oil divisional event of the year leaving the Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals to end the season and the national championship points chase.

Joe Santangelo went seven rounds in Stock eliminator to take the win and the NHRA Lucas Oil National Championship on Monday, Nov. 7. Santangelo, Marlborough, Conn., beat Jimmy Hidalgo Jr. (above), Donaldsonville, La., in the final round as both were chasing Jody Lang for the Championship.

Santangelo’s win in his ’95 Camaro moved him past Lang for the championship. Hidalgo also had a shot at the title but the win gave Santangelo an insurmountable lead over Hidalgo with one race remaining, and Lang is out of events where he can score points.