Old hands show the way

Words by Eric Lotz
Photos by Todd Dziadosz

Joe Santangelo

In the final results for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the Toyota NHRA Supernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park two reigning national champions and a former champion took home the hardware.  Reigning Stock Champion Joe Santangelo, Marlborough, Conn., won in Stock and Super Gas Champion Peter Biondo won in Super Street to become just the second driver in history to win an NHRA national event in six different classes.

Santangelo won immediately off the starting line in his ’95 Camaro as Eric Cabral, Manchester, NH, left early with a redlight. Santangelo drove through to a 10.866 second 119.79 mph winning run.

Peter Biondo

Biondo, Maspeth, NY, used a better reaction time to knock out Chris Butcher for his first national event win in Super Street to tie Jeg Coughlin Jr. as the only driver to win in six different categories at an NHRA national event. Biondo has also won in Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp and Super Gas.

In the final Biondo’s Nova went 10.887, 146.29 to the quicker 10.883, 146.40 of Butcher’s Mustang.