A former IHRA track, New England Dragway is located in Epping, New Hampshire, about 50 miles north of Boston. The 2010 census listed a population of 6,410. Looks like they may all have been at the track this weekend. (Gary Nastase main image/ Richard Muir inset photo)

First one is in the books

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Richard Muir and Gary Nastase

A tricky track surface seemed to be the same problem for all the racers at the inaugural New England NHRA Nationals on June 20-23.

“There was no issue that plagued just us,” said 2012 Top Fuel champion Antron Brown, who lost in the first round to Bob Vandergriff. “It plagued 70 percent of the field - 70 percent of the field spun the tires in the same spot.

"That track right there, you just have to be after it early and have it parked in the middle so it can skate through. We thought the track was better to run fast and it wasn't better. It was actually worse in the middle, and that's what got us. It got Tony (Schumacher) that way. It got (Steve) Torrence and (Clay) Millican the same way. It got a whole bunch of people in front of us the same way. It even got (Khalid al-) Balooshi the same way."

TOP FUEL

Spencer Massey carried the Don Schumacher Racing organization into the Winner's Circle at New England Dragway. Massey defeated Al-Anabi Racing's Shawn Langdon in the final round in a tire-smoking battle to secure his second win of the season.
  
"It's just awesome to get another win this season and get the inaugural NHRA Wally from New England," said Massey. "We kind of had an up and down weekend but my guys just kept working at it and it paid off."
  
Massey remains third in NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel points standings, but edged closer to DSR teammate Tony Schumacher in second, whom he defeated in the second round of eliminations on Sunday. Massey now sits 27 points behind the seven-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion for second place.