Driver Bobby Cottrell was doing some testing of his alcohol Funny Car at this weekend’s SoCal Association race at Auto Club Fontana. Unfortunately, a flip and a fire put an end to the Mustang’s Sunday morning test session. Cottrell was not injured.  (Bob Johnson photos)  [06/18/18]

The Holley National Hot Rod Reunion® presented by AAA Insurance came to a conclusion on Sunday, June 17, as the racing champions were crowned.

 

In the Nostalgia Top Fuel finals, it was the two top qualifiers of the event as No. 1 Mendy Fry faced No. 2 Jim Young. When the lights went green Jim Young had the initial jump but went out of the groove at halftrack allowing Fry to drive around him for her first win at the event with a run of 5.720 seconds at 252.05 mph to the losing run of 5.841 at 256.26. Leaving the event Fry is the new points leader in the Nostalgia Top Fuel category.

 

“Tom (Shelar, owner/tuner) had a bracket car all day and he knows how to read this track,” said Fry. “It was 150 degrees, greasy, and he gave me a car that could win. I didn’t screw anything up and we won.”

 

Nostalgia Funny Car featured Dan Horan Jr. and John Smith in the finals. Smith suffered a wheel stand early in the run allowing Horan to streak to the victory with a run of 5.881 at 216.27 to the trailing run of 11.902 at 52.34.

 

“This was one of my father’s favorite places to come with his front engine car and we lost him in 2016,” said Horan. “We decided to have a new Murf (McKinney) car built, it was finished a week ago, my guys went to his shop, put it together, and hauled it here. Here we are in the winners circle. Pretty emotional to win on Father’s Day weekend.”

 

7.5 PRO: Kelly Freels KEY, Bantam, 7.539, 172.56 def. Dan McWhirter, Bantam, 7.575, 175.25.

 

7.0 PRO: Robbie Freels, Canode, 7.015, 191.19 def. Billy Smith, Holt, 7.011, 186.38.

 

Nostalgia Super Stock: Kurt Neighbor, Comet, 9.861, 114.59 def. Butch Cassady, Dart, 12.681, 105.42.

 

Comp Eliminator: Pat Lamont, Chevy, 8.252, 139.75 def. Stan Hunter, Bantam, 10.019, 123.70.

 

Modified Eliminator: Dennis Breeden, Plymouth, 10.661, 94.13 def. Greg O Quinn, Henry J, Foul - Red Light.

 

ScotRods Gassers: Jeff Cryan, Willys PU, 5.682, 113.39 def. Mark Benjamin, Willys, 6.181, 111.71.

 

Hot Rod Eliminator: Bob Westhoff, Ford, 10.476, 124.95 def. Johnny Matthews, Comet, 11.581, 113.52.

 

6.0: Mike Taylor, Taylor, 11.108, 105.68 def. Barrie Young, Camaro, 17.944, 48.48.

 

Geezer Gassers: Don Moyer, Willys, 11.676, 114.90 def. Joe Bush, Willys, Broke.

 

Top Stock Eliminator: Doug Duell, Barracuda, 10.489, 123.35 def. Rick Winchester, Corvette, Foul - Red Light.

 

Gas: John Treesh, Corvette, 10.629, 94.02 def. Kenny Robinson, Fairlane, 17.197, 69.79.

 

348/409: Timothy Tassmer, Wagon, 12.367, 112.45 def. James Schrader, Chevy, Foul - Red Light.  [06/18/18]

It was a Father’s Day to remember for Mopar Dodge//SRT drivers Ron Capps and Tony Schumacher, who raced to victory in the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes, respectively, at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals in Bristol, TN. Capps’ victory marked the fifth straight for a Mopar Dodge Charger R/T Funny Car driver at Bristol Dragway. The first win of the season for Capps was the 300th win for Don Schumacher Racing, the third of 2018 for a DSR Funny Car driver and moved him to fifth in the Funny Car standings.

 

Tony Schumacher’s first victory of the year was the 301st for his father’s mega team.

 

“Congratulations to Ron Capps and Tony Schumacher on their victories this weekend at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals,” said Steve Beahm, Head of Passenger Cars, Dodge//SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “Teamwork at the dragstrip between Dodge//SRT and Mopar has yielded multiple wins for our brands, and we feel we’re just getting started.”  (Chris Haverly photos)   [06/18/18]

The following are Saturday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northwest Division LORDCO Auto Parts B.C. Nationals:

 

COMP ELIMINATOR: Ryan Warter, Olalla, Wash., '92 Camaro, F/SM, 8.723, 150.07 def. Jeff Lane, North Bend, Wash., '10 Cobalt, B/SMA, 7.940, 166.75.

 

SUPER STOCK: Cody Lane, North Bend, Wash., '05 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.454, 156.22 def. Jackie Alley, Eagle, Idaho, '69 Camaro, SS/DA, 9.410, 141.59.

 

STOCK ELIMINATOR: Bill Bushmaker, Auburn, Wash., '76 Road Runner, I/SA, 11.323, 115.11 def. Larry McLanahan, Kennewick, Wash., '16 Mustang, FS/A, foul.

 

SUPER COMP: Randy Beck, Tacoma, Wash., '02 Undercover, 8.921, 165.74 def. John Dalrymple, Sunnyside, Wash., '09 Mullis, 8.913, 182.70.

 

SUPER GAS: Cam McPherson, Edmonton, Alb., '27 Ford T, 9.913, 154.13 def. Dave Holmes, Spokane, Wash., '63 Savoy, 9.931, 148.07.

 

SUPER STREET: Martin Jackman, Mission, B.C., '79 Pontiac, 10.899, 131.31 def. Justin Cooper, Medical Lake, Wash., '67 Chevelle, 10.890, 138.22.

 

TOP SPORTSMAN: Danny Wargnier, Keizer, Ore., '08 GTO, 7.358, 188.08 def. Pat McNally, St. Albert, Alb., '06 GTO, 6.847, 199.15.

 

TOP DRAGSTER: Ryan Carlson, Maple Valley, Wash., '10 RCF, 6.193, 224.71 def. Quentin Chambers, Bellingham, Wash., '07 Parker, 6.029, 223.99.

 

SPORTSMAN MOTORCYCLE: Don Depeel, Gladstone, Ore., '74 Kawasaki, 8.396, 155.92 def. Miles Hauer, Seattle, Wash., '04 Suzuki, 8.523, 150.47.

 

SUPER PRO: Robbie White, Calgary, Alb., '01 Mullis, 7.873, 166.82 def. Jan Christensen, Langley, B.C., '67 Nova, 8.746, 151.82.

 

PRO: Jim Behnke, Mission, B.C., '67 Cuda, 10.228, 115.45 def. Ross Walker, , , '66 Chevy II, 10.150, 130.26.   [06/18/18]

Results from the final round of eliminations at the June 16 Carl’s 4WD & Performance Bracket Series event at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, IL.

 

SUPER PRO: Tim Foley (Dardenne Prairie, MO) defeated Jon Tignor (St. Louis).

 

PRO: Jon Tignor (St. Louis) defeated Ron Conroy (St. Charles, MO).

 

SPORTSMAN: Ted Lipka (O’Fallon, MO) defeated Steve Zuener (Imperial, MO).

 

MOTORCYCLE: Scott Leonard (Glen Carbon, IL) defeated Kevin Wilkerson (Springfield, IL).

 

TROPHY: Kevin Wilkerson (Springfield, IL). Sole entry.

 

JR. DRAGSTER THUNDER: Kennedy Hale (Pevely, MO) defeated Cohen Hale (Pevely, MO).

 

JR. DRAGSTER LIGHTNING: Luke Albietz (Wentzville, MO) defeated Bryce Micke (Troy, MO).

 

JR. DRAGSTER OVERALL: Kennedy Hale (Pevely, MO) defeated Luke Albietz (Wentzville, MO).

 

MOPAR SHOOTOUT A: Phil Rebello (Winfield, MO) defeated Mark Waltrip (St. Genevieve, MO).

 

MOPAR SHOOTOUT B: Robert Haberberger (Beaufort, MO) defeated Roger Mallinchrodt (St. Charles, MO).

 

MOPAR A VS. B OVERALL: Robert Haberberger (Beaufort, MO) defeated Phil Rebello (Winfield, MO).   [06/18/18]

Sometimes in life you don’t get a second chance, but on Friday night, June 15, at Lancaster National Dragway Dale Eckert (shown) got two second chances and used them to win both Top Eliminator and McGard Mod ET.

 

The 11-time track champion from South Wales, NY, lost in the first round of both Top & Mod, but used buybacks to be reinserted into the bracket of both classes. Buybacks allow to competitors to pay a second entry fee to continue racing if they lost in the first round. The investment paid off for Eckert as he advanced all the way to the finals in each class.

 

Eckert went up against Tony Galuzzi in the Top final in an almost heads-up race as the drivers’ dial-ins were separated by only .09 seconds. Galuzzi cut a near perfect light at the starting line but could not catch Eckert at top end. He didn’t have to work as hard in the McGard Mod final as his opponent, Robert Hetrick, triggered the red light at the starting line, which allowed Eckert to cruise to victory. The wins give Ecekert three overall victories in 2018, including back-to-back wins in Mod ET.

 

In other Franco’s Pizza Friday Night IHRA Drag Racing action, Mike Nowak of Lancaster took the win in Top 8 Eliminator over Zell Gaymon. Nowak blistered the dragstrip with an elapsed time of 4.998 seconds and average speed of 139.37 mph.

 

The Salemi family picked up their second win in a row in Hebeler’s Sales Bikes & Sleds. Lucas Salemi of Clarence Center, NY, was the winner this week after his cousin Angelo won the week before. Adding to the Salemi family’s success as of late was Evan Salemi, who went to the final round of Junior Dragsters during Advance Auto Parts Tuesday Test & Tune earlier this week.

In Tread City Tire Street, Derek Kovach of Lancaster defeated Meg Grzekiewicz for his first win of the season in a double breakout.

 

Lancaster continued its annual Ladies Night tradition of special female only drag racing classes with the top prize of a diamond ring from Cash & Go Pawn on the line for each winner. Sharon Hayek won the Ladies Pro class for experienced drivers for the second year in a row as she beat Deanna Nugent in the finals. Sara Taulbee was victorious in the Amateur Ladies class over Kat Brewer.

 

The Franco’s Pizza IHRA Drag Racing program is off next weekend for the Niagara Swap Meet & Car Show presented by Totally Tools. There is a $1,000 Box/No-Box Shootout open to all competitors Tuesday night, June 19, to make up for the week off. Friday night racing resumes on June 29 with a special Buffalo Street Outlaws show.  [06/18/18]

Mark Oswald, who lives in Bristol Dragway lore as a Funny Car legend of the 1980s, joined an esteemed group as the newest Legend of Thunder Valley. Oswald, currently a crew chief for three-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown, was inducted as the newest Legend of Thunder Valley during pre-race ceremonies of the Fitzgerald USA NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals on Sunday, June 17.

He joined the likes of former track GM Jeff Byrd, Speedway Motorsports executive chairman Bruton Smith, NHRA legend Don Garlits, NHRA legend and current Funny Car driver John Force, and NHRA team owner Don Schumacher.

 

“Mark raced to much success at Thunder Valley in the 1980s,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager of Bristol Dragway. “Not only did he win a lot of races here, he beat some of drag racing’s biggest names, including the likes of Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Dale Pulde. His continued success at Bristol as Antron’s crew chief further cements him as a deserving honoree.”

 

Between 1982 and 1988, Oswald picked up five Funny Car victories and two runner-up finishes, all behind the controls of the iconic Candies & Hughes Funny Car. His two wins in 1983 and victories in 1984 and 1986 helped lead Oswald to IHRA Funny Car championships. His 1984 season was extra special as the nitro pilot also won the NHRA Funny Car championship, becoming one of the few drivers to achieve the sweep.

 

In addition to Funny Car, Oswald had success in two other categories at Thunder Valley. The Houma, La. resident picked up his first Bristol win in 1977, racing to victory in the Pro Comp category. Just five years later, Oswald reached the finals in Top Fuel behind the wheel of his own car.  (Chris Haverly photos)   [06/18/18]

The Joe’s Transmission TNT Super Series presented this weekend by Kevin Orr Mechanical saw JJ Jablonski from Alden, NY, take the win and the $1,000 big check on Sunday, June 10, at Toronto Motorsports Park.

 

Races 3 and 4 in the 2018 series saw Saturday’s event washed away after round one due to rain. On Sunday Jablonski, who has won the TNTSS points championship multiple times, showed why he is a repeat champ by marching through the field to the winner’s circle.

 

“It was a long weekend but I'd have to say it was more luck and car then me,” said Jablonski. “Saturday I found the number and the new Hoosiers from Ron McKay varied a hundredth all weekend  I'd like to thank my wife Nicole for her efforts, Jason Vitez Race Cars, Jan-Cen Racing Engines, Competition Transmission, Joe Boniferro, Ted Barnes, Charlene Lepp, Laurie and Kevin Orr."

 

Next up are Races 5 and 6 along with the REVS Full Throttle Powersports RACE OF CHAMPIONS at St. Thomas Raceway Park on June 23-24.   [06/18/18]

At Petty’s Garage work has commenced building the grand prize for the 2018 MAHLE “Drive with the Original” Technician Promotion – a custom, resto-mod 1968 Chevrolet Camaro RS. The one-of-a-kind vehicle will be finished and tested in time to be awarded to the winner by MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. at the Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas, taking place from October 30 to November 1, 2018.

 

The “Drive with the Original” promotion runs to October 1, 2018. Four finalists will be randomly selected from all entries at www.drivewiththeoriginal.com to receive a trip for two to AAPEX in Las Vegas. The “Original,” Richard Petty, will be present when the finalists each select a key from The King’s signature Charlie One Horse hat – one of which will start the grand prize MAHLE Camaro RS from Petty’s Garage.

 

“Last year’s MAHLE Mustang was a huge hit at AAPEX and we wanted to do something that would surpass even that,” said Jon Douglas, General Manager, MAHLE Aftermarket North America. “The MAHLE Camaro RS will be a real showcase for MAHLE Original gaskets, filters and other MAHLE parts. One lucky technician is going to be very happy!”

 

In addition to the grand prize, over 1,000 additional instant prizes will be awarded, including Richard Petty Driving Experiences, autographed Richard Petty signature Charlie One Horse cowboy hats and autographed #43 die-cast model cars.   [06/18/18]