Manzo, Mercier lead winners at Maple Grove Lucas Oil Series event
5/27/2007

DIVISION 1 Maple Grove Raceway Reading, Pa., May 25-27
Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central
Event preview
Sunday eliminations:
Winners crowned at Maple Grove
READING, Pa. – NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors put the second of seven races in the books this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway. The event, presented by Boat N RV, kicked off on Friday and wrapped up today. Frank Manzo found his way to the winner's circle in Top Alcohol Funny Car as did Dan Mercier in Top Alcohol Dragster.
The win at Maple Grove Raceway gives Manzo, a Morganville, N.J., resident, his second win in as many weeks. Last weekend he took the win at an out-of-division race in Norwalk, Ohio. This weekend, the top qualifier just got by No. 2 qualifier Robert Tasca III of Cranston, R.I., in the final. Manzo made a 5.735-second, 255.92 mph pass to Tasca's 5.749-second, 253.99 mph effort.
In Top Alcohol Dragster action, reigning division champion Dan Mercier, Montreal, Que., got the win over the class's defending national champion, Bill Reichert of Owosso, Mich. Like Manzo, Reichert also scored the win in Norwalk last week. Reichert blew his competitors away in qualifying to take the top spot. But in the final, it was Mercier who won handily, posting a 5.487-second, 260.46 mph run to Reichert's 5.573-second, 228.04 mph pass.
Frank Aragona, Old Bridge, N.J., earned the win in Comp Eliminator and Bryan Worner, Duncannon, Pa., drove his Super Stocker to the win. Dan Fletcher of Churchville, N.Y., found his way to the winner's circle and was joined there by Gary Treager, Clifton Park, N.Y., in Super Street, Al Campbell, Blairstown, N.J., in Top Sportsman and Dennis Stewart, Dover, Pa., in Top Dragster. Clinton, Ohio's Ron Erks scored a double win, earning the trophies in Super Comp and Super Gas. Erks is the defending national champion in Super Comp and in the Super Gas final, he knocked off the reigning Super Gas national champ, Iggie Boicesco of Warmister, Pa.
NHRA Northeast division racers head to New Jersey for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. Atco Raceway in Atco, N.J., will host the series June 15-17.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV at Maple Grove Raceway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER Round 1 1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.379, 264.13 def. 8) Karen Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., 5.798, 239.53
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.974, 187.44 def. 2) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, broke
3) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.474, 262.03 def. 6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.617, 257.58
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.402, 263.15 def. 4) Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., foul
Semifinals Reichert, 5.475, 263.41 def. Kosky, 5.472, 257.33 Mercier, 5.537, 256.89 def. Winward, 5.689, 240.04
Final Mercier, 5.487, 260.46 def. Reichert, 5.573, 228.04
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR Round 1 1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.572, 260.46 def. 8) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.777, 247.61
2) Bob Tasca III, Cranston, R.I., '07 Mustang, 5.708, 255.53 def. 7) David Ray, Plaistow, N.H., '01 Avenger, 5.774, 252.24
4) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '00 Camaro, 5.854, 248.75 def. 5) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.796, 251.02;
6) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.806, 250.97 def. 3) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.846, 250.69
Semifinals Tasca III, 5.697, 255.58 def. Schuster, 21.821, 94.08 Manzo, 5.639, 258.42 def. Pomponio, 5.894, 245.81
Final Manzo, 5.735, 255.92 def. Tasca III, 5.749, 253.99
COMP ELIMINATOR Frank Aragona, Old Bridge, N.J., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.491, 151.32 def. Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, I/AA, 8.306, 156.92
SUPER STOCK Bryan Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Cutlass, GT/JA, 10.766, 120.66 def. Bob Hochrun, Colonia, N.J., '87 Camaro, GT/DA, 9.805, 135.25
STOCK ELIMINATOR Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '69 Ford, B/SA, 10.747, 111.14 def. Gary Simpers Jr., Northeast, Md., '91 Thunderbird, I/FIA, 13.105, 98.60
SUPER COMP Ron Erks, Clinton, Ohio, dragster, 8.934, 176.4 def. Jeff Livezey Jr., Philadelphia, dragster, 8.921, 159.29
SUPER GAS Ron Erks, Clinton, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 9.922, 164.55 def. Iggie Boicesco, Warminster, Pa., '02 Corvette, 9.898, 163.33
SUPER STREET Gary Treager, Clifton Park, N.Y., '62 Corvette, 10.902, 143.23 def. Steve Feller, Pleasant Valley, N.Y., '79 Malibu, 10.884, 129.54
TOP SPORTSMAN Al Campbell, Blairstown, N.J., '02 Cavalier, 7.760, 177.51 def. Arty DeCesare, Oakdale, N.Y., '63 Corvette, foul
TOP DRAGSTER Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., dragster, 7.523, 180.62 def. Wayne Hofmann, New Preston, Conn., dragster, 7.290, 180.00
Saturday qualifying:
Early action sets stage for Sunday finale
READING, Pa. – Final qualifying and time trials at Maple Grove Raceway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV are complete. Competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car were slated to complete eliminations tonight but a late rain delay made NHRA and track officials opt to pull the plug on racing for the night. They did get in first round and will resume eliminations along with the other categories in the morning.
Top Alcohol Funny Car No. 1 qualifier Frank Manzo has advanced to the semifinals. The Morganville, N.J., racer made a 5.572-second, 260.46 mph pass against No. 8 qualifier Fred Tigges of Holbrook, Mass. Tigges ran 5.777 seconds at 247.61 mph. Bob Tasca III, Cranston, R.I., was the No. 2 qualifier and he advanced to the next round on the strength of a 5.708-second, 255.53 mph run that eclipsed David Ray's 53774-second, 252.24 mph pass. Chesterfield, N.J., resident Frank Schuster took the first round win over Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., running 5.806 seconds at 250.97 mph to Ferro's 5.846-second, 250.69 mph effort. Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., moved on to the second round after beating Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., on a hole-shot. Pomponio got out of the gate first and ran 5.854 seconds at 248.75 mph to Gill's quicker-but-losing 5.796-second 251.02 mph run.
In Top Alcohol Dragster, top qualifier Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., put the hurt on Karen Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., making a 5.379-second, 264.13 mph pass to Stalba's 5.798-second run at 239.53 mph. The No. 7 qualifier, Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., grabbed the first-round win when second-place qualifier Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah, broke on the starting line. Dan Mercier, Montreal, Que., moved into the semis on a 5.474-second, 262.03 mph pass over John Finke's 5.617-second, 257.58 mph effort. Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., ran a very respectable 5.402-second, 263.15 mph pass against Dave DeAngelis of Middlesex, N.J., but Kosky already had the win as DeAngelis had red-lighted.
Vinny Barone of Dix Hill, N.Y., stayed in the top qualifying position in Comp Eliminator as did Stock Eliminator racer Tom Kreeber, Rensselaer, N.Y., and Duke Roney III, Broomall, Pa., in Top Dragster. In Super Stock, Don Carpenter III, Conway, Pa., set the pace while in Top Sportsman, John Prime, Thomastown, Conn., took over the top spot.
Racing continues Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations continue at 9 a.m. Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event are $20. Children 6 to 11 years old are $6 and kids 5 and under are admitted free. For more information call Maple Grove Raceway, (610) 856-7812, or visit www.MapleGroveRaceway.com.
The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and the first round of eliminations results for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV at Maple Grove Raceway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER Round 1 1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.379, 264.13 def. 8) Karen Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., 5.798, 239.53
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.974, 187.44 def. 2) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, broke
3) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.474, 262.03 def. 6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.617, 257.58
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.402, 263.15 def. 4) Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., foul
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR Round 1 1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.572, 260.46 def. 8) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.777, 247.61
2) Bob Tasca III, Cranston, R.I., '07 Mustang, 5.708, 255.53 def. 7) David Ray, Plaistow, N.H., '01 Avenger, 5.774, 252.24
6) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.806, 250.97 def. 3) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.846, 250.69
4) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '00 Camaro, 5.854, 248.75 def. 5) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.796, 251.02
COMP ELIMINATOR 1) Vinny Barone, Dix Hills, N.Y., '34 Chevrolet, B/SR, 7.940 seconds, -0.640 (under index) 2) Peter Hanratty, Speonk, N.Y., dragster, A/DA, 6.584, -0.616 3) Frank Aragona, Old Bridge, N.J., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.483, -0.587 4) Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, I/AA, 8.276, -0.574 5) Gerry Russo, Saddle River, N.J., '05 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.297, -0.573 6) Gary Guarriello, Peace Dale, R.I., dragster, C/ED, 7.346, -0.564 7) Charlie Greco, Berwyn, Pa., '06 GTO, D/AA, 7.798, -0.552 8) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand Am, F/A, 8.129, -0.551 9) Scott MacKay, Broomall, Pa., dragster, D/ED, 7.456, -0.544 10) David Allen, Sewickley, Pa., '02 Camaro, BB/AM, 7.109, -0.541
SUPER STOCK 1) Don Carpenter II, Conway, Pa., '79 Cadillac, SS/PA, 11.691 seconds, -1.259 (under index) 2) Joseph Franco III, N. Babylon, N.Y., '85 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.100, -1.250 3) Angelo Ditocco, Mahopac, N.Y., '02 Firebird, SS/IA, 9.765, -1.235 4) Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Pa., '04 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.478, -1.222 5) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '96 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.792, -1.208 6) Scott Gove, Dennysville, Maine, '93 Daytona, SS/AM, 8.098, -1.202 7) David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Corvette, SS/BA, 9.040, -1.160 8) Bo Kenney, Manassas, Va., '01 Firebird, SS/GA, 9.716, -1.134 9) Rich South, Pickerington, Ohio, '05 Pontiac, GT/EA, 9.828, -1.122 10) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '07 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.313, -1.087
STOCK ELIMINATOR 1) Tom Kreeber, Rensselaer, N.Y., '65 Coronet, I/SA, 11.283 seconds, -1.317 (under index) 2) Evan Smith, Linden, N.J., '93 Mustang, D/FI, 10.906, -1.294 3) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '71 Mustang, F/SA, 10.880, -1.270 4) Doug Blackley, Hanover, Mass., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.493, -1.257 5) Gary Richard, Bayshore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.322, -1.228 6) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.496, -1.204 7) Dean Cook II, Coventry, R.I., '95 Cobra, F/FI, 11.652, -1.198 8) Jack Matyas, Atlantic City, N.J., '00 Trans Am, B/FIA, 10.508, -1.192 9) Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '87 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.775, -1.175 10) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.425, -1.175
TOP SPORTSMAN 1) John Prime, Thomastown, Conn., '68 Camaro, 6.805 seconds, 205.13 mph 2) Chris Rini, Holmes, N.Y., '07 Stratus, 6.852, 206.64 3) Glen Puluse, Paterson, N.J., '98 Firebird, 6.979, 200.59 4) Fred Gallo, Shirley, N.Y., '03 Cavalier, 7.007, 199.37 5) Ronnie Proctor, Harpers Ferry, W.V., '02 Mustang, 7.044, 197.97 6) Dana MacLeod, Wayland, Mass., '02 Cavalier, 7.058, 200.08 7) Tommy Daras, Acokeek, N.D., '62 Bel Air, 7.231, 190.46 8) Michael Kaufman, Woodcliff Lake, N.J., '67 Corvette, 7.288, 190.00 9) Jeff Brooks, Fredericksburg, Va., '51 Henry J, 7.330, 188.60 10) Bob Bailey, Glen Burnie, Md., '86 Monte Carlo, 7.425, 185.05
TOP DRAGSTER 1) Duke Roney III, Broomall, Pa., dragster, 6.589 seconds, 205.82 mph 2) Alan O'Brien, Roncerverte, W.V., dragster, 6.879, 195.79 3) Ernie Kendall, Doylestown, Pa., dragster, 7.004, 200.98 4) Ed Alessi Jr., Bethpage, N.Y., dragster, 7.081, 190.00 5) Gary Koebbe, Fairfield, Conn., dragster, 7.098, 189.71 6) Jeff Moore, Elkton, Md., dragster, 7.116, 189.36 7) Bob Wolkwitz, Darien, Conn., dragster, 7.121, 187.70 8) Mike Sullivan, W Prelidy, Maine, dragster, 7.179, 189.68 9) Frank Zeffiro, Winchester Center, Conn., dragster, 7.194, 187.39 10) Jerry Thomas, Alburtis, Pa., dragster, 7.203, 189.92
Friday qualifying:
Fields set for final eliminations
READING, Pa. – In the first rounds of qualifying at Maple Grove Raceway's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV, Frank Manzo tops the Top Alcohol Funny Car class and Bill Reichert leads in Top Alcohol Dragster. Both men are defending Lucas Oil Series national champions and Manzo held off 14 competitors vying to make the 8-car field while Reichert out ran 12 other racers.
Manzo, of Morganville, N.J., outpaced Bob Tasca III, Cranston, R.I., to take the No. 1 qualifying spot. Manzo ran 5.615 seconds at 259.36 mph to Tasca's 5.655-second, 255.43 mph effort. In the first round of eliminations Saturday Manzo will face No. 8 qualifier Fred Tigges of Holbrook, Mass.
Reichert's 5.320-second pass at 272.34 mph was just enough to give the Owosso, Mich., racer the edge over Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah. Olivarez, who is wheeling the entry owned by former NHRA Northeast division and national champion Arthur Gallant, made a 5.347-second, 268.17 mph pass. Reichert will take on eighth-place qualifier Karen Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., in the opening round of eliminations Saturday.
Dix Hills, N.Y., resident Vinny Barone set the pace in Comp Eliminator, Jim Boburka, Corapolis, Pa., is No. 1 in Super Stock, and Tom Kreeber, Rensselaer, N.Y., tops the field in Stock Eliminator. Top Sportsman racer Fred Gallo, Shirley, N.Y., is No. 1 in his class and Broomall, Pa., resident Duke Roney III leads Top Dragster qualifiers.
Racing continues Saturday and Sunday at Maple Grove Raceway. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and all classes will run at least one round of eliminations. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all three rounds of eliminations starting at 5 p.m. A fireworks show is slated to follow the final round of Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car. Eliminations continue Sunday at 9 a.m.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV are $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 11 years old are $6 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free. There is a Saturday Special price of $25 per carload to the spectator side of the track.
For more information call Maple Grove Raceway, (610) 856-7812, or visit www.MapleGroveRaceway.com.
The following are Friday's qualifying results, including Saturday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC, from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV at Maple Grove Raceway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.320 seconds, 272.34 mph 2) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.347, 268.17 3) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.445, 262.03 4) Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.473, 260.11 5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.510, 247.97 6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.678, 257.24 7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.697, 240.00 8) Karen Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., 5.743, 206.10 Not Qualified 9) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.785, 244.03 10) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.896, 242.84 11) Gene Arrigoni, 6.017, 235.02 12) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 6.143, 214.08 13) Bruce Insinger, Dushore, Pa., 7.219, 202.52
First round TAD pairings 1) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.320 seconds, 272.34 mph vs. 8) Karen Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., 5.743, 206.10
2) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.347, 268.17 vs. 7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.697, 240.00
3) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.445, 262.03 vs. 6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.678, 257.24
4) Dave DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.473, 260.11 vs. 5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.510, 247.97
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.615 seconds, 259.36 mph 2) Bob Tasca III, Cranston, R.I., '07 Mustang, 5.655, 255.43 3) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.769, 248.89 4) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '00 Camaro, 5.783, 248.25 5) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.793, 250.00 6) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.798, 249.95 7) David Ray, Plaistow, N.H., '01 Avenger, 5.801, 251.20 8) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.852, 249.07 Not Qualified 9) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '01 Camaro, 5.880, 241.67 10) Bruce Peterson, Wappinger Falls, N.Y., '03 Corvette, 5.896, 243.81 11) Wayne Morris, Lincoln Univ, Pa., '05 Stratus, 5.989, 239.40 12) Chris Brown, Ivyland, Pa., '06 Stratus, 6.139, 202.70 13) DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford, Md., '02 Firebird, 6.627, 241.20 14) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '02 Firebird, 7.029, 139.92 15) John Headley, Newportville, Pa., '00 Mustang, 9.864, 75.07
First round TAFC pairings 1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.615 seconds, 259.36 mph vs. 8) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.852, 249.07
2) Bob Tasca III, Cranston, R.I., '07 Mustang, 5.655, 255.43 vs. 7) David Ray, Plaistow, N.H., '01 Avenger, 5.801, 251.20
3) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.769, 248.89 vs. 6) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.798, 249.95
4) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '00 Camaro, 5.783, 248.25 vs. 5) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.793, 250.00
COMP ELIMINATOR 1) Vinny Barone, Dix Hills, N.Y., '34 Chevrolet, B/SR, 7.958 seconds, -0.622 (under index) 2) Frank Aragona, Old Bridge, N.J., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.483, -0.587 3) Charlie Greco, Berwyn, Pa., '06 GTO, D/AA, 7.798, -0.552 4) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand Am, F/A, 8.129, -0.551 5) David Allen, Sewickley, Pa., '02 Camaro, BB/AM, 7.109, -0.541 6) Gerry Russo, Saddle River, N.J., '05 Cavalier, C/SMA, 8.329, -0.541 7) Peter Hanratty, Speonk, N.Y., dragster, A/DA, 6.662, -0.538 8) Scott MacKay, Broomall, Pa., dragster, D/ED, 7.483, -0.517 9) Gary Guarriello, Peace Dale, R.I., dragster, C/ED, 7.403, -0.507 10) Calvin Hill, Tamaqua, Pa., '98 Beretta, I/A, 8.374, -0.486
SUPER STOCK 1) Jim Boburka, Coraopolis, Pa., '04 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.485 seconds, -1.215 (under index) 2) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '96 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.792, -1.208 3) Scott Gove, Dennysville, Maine, '93 Daytona, SS/AM, 8.098, -1.202 4) Don Carpenter II, Conway, Pa., '79 Cadillac, SS/PA, 11.764, -1.186 5) Joseph Franco III, N. Babylon, N.Y., '85 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.202, -1.148 6) David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Corvette, SS/BA, 9.060, -1.140 7) Bo Kenney, Manassas, Va., '01 Firebird, SS/GA, 9.716, -1.134 8) Rich South, Pickerington, Ohio, '05 Pontiac, GT/EA, 9.828, -1.122 9) Robert Burgin, Cuthbert, Ga., '07 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.322, -1.078 10) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '07 Cobalt, SS/DM, 8.981, -1.069
STOCK ELIMINATOR 1) Tom Kreeber, Rensselaer, N.Y., '65 Coronet, I/SA, 11.283 seconds, -1.317 (under index) 2) Evan Smith, Linden, N.J., '93 Mustang, D/FI, 10.906, -1.294 3) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '71 Mustang, F/SA, 10.880, -1.270 4) Doug Blackley, Hanover, Mass., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.493, -1.257 5) Gary Richard, Bayshore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.322, -1.228 6) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.496, -1.204 7) Dean Cook II, Coventry, R.I., '95 Cobra, F/FI, 11.652, -1.198 8) Jack Matyas, Atlantic City, N.J., '00 Trans Am, B/FIA, 10.508, -1.192 9) Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '87 Camaro, F/FIA, 11.775, -1.175 10) Bob Horgan, Tyngsboro, Mass., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.425, -1.175
TOP SPORTSMAN 1) Fred Gallo, Shirley, N.Y., '03 Cavalier, 7.007 seconds, 199.37 mph 2) Ronnie Proctor, Harpers Ferry, W.V., '02 Mustang, 7.051, 196.85 3) John Prime, Thomastown, Conn., '68 Camaro, 7.052, 195.76 4) Chris Rini, Holmes, N.Y., '07 Stratus, 7.062, 201.28 5) Glen Puluse, Paterson, N.J., '98 Firebird, 7.159, 199.29 6) Michael Kaufman, Woodcliff Lake, N.J., '67 Corvette, 7.288, 189.60 7) Jeff Brooks, Fredericksburg, Va., '51 Henry J, 7.371, 185.89 8) Bob Bailey, Glen Burnie, Md., '86 Monte Carlo, 7.443, 184.22 9) Delon Pleasants, Montclair, N.J., '88 Ciera, 7.504, 181.72 10) Donald Bean, Westboro, Mass., '00 Firebird, 7.517, 184.19
TOP DRAGSTER 1) Duke Roney III, Broomall, Pa., dragster, 6.590 seconds, 204.82 mph 2) Alan O'Brien, Roncerverte, W.V., dragster, 6.879, 195.79 3) Ernie Kendall, Doylestown, Pa., dragster, 7.004, 200.98 4) Ed Alessi Jr, Bethpage, N.Y., dragster, 7.094, 188.49 5) Bob Wolkwitz, Darien, Conn., dragster, 7.121, 187.70 6) Gary Koebbe, Fairfield, Conn., dragster, 7.125, 188.12 7) Jeff Moore, Elkton, Md., dragster, 7.174, 187.76 8) Mike Sullivan, W Prelidy, Me., dragster, 7.194, 188.70 9) Jerry Thomas, Alburtis, Pa., dragster, 7.203, 189.47 10) Frank Zeffiro, Winchester Center, Conn., dragster, 7.209, 185.92
Event preview:
Second '07 race heads to Pennsylvania supertrack
READING, Pa. – Maple Grove Raceway will host the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV, May 26-28. The race is the second of seven in NHRA Northeast division competition and will feature drivers in eight classes vying for points leading to divisional and national championships. The division's Foxwoods Top Sportsman class and Top Dragster category will also run in conjunction with the event.
The Northeast division is traditionally one of the most competitive in NHRA. In 2006, three of seven Lucas Oil Series national champions came from the division and the second place finishers in two classes reside in the region. Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., finished No. 1 in Top Alcohol Funny Car; Peter Biondo, Queens, N.Y., topped the Super Stock standings; and Iggie Boicesco, Warminster, Pa., won the Super Gas title. Biondo's brother Sal finished just outside of the Comp Eliminator national championship but did earn the division crown, and Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., was just behind Peter Biondo in both the national and divisional Super Stock chases.
Manzo, the Top Alcohol Funny Car ace, earned a record 10th national title and collected his 16th Northeast division crown along the way. He earned the national championship on the strength of six NHRA national event wins in seven finals and four wins and a runner-up finish on the divisional level. This year, Manzo has continued his dominating performance. He currently holds the national elapsed time record (5.454 seconds) and the national speed record (264.23 mph) in the class and is the owner of nine of the 10 fastest runs in the category.
For his part, Super Stock champ Biondo is tied for second place on the all-time national championship list with five titles, four in Super Stock and one in Stock Eliminator. He has earned four national titles since 2000 and has 12 division championships in four classes to his credit.
For Boicesco, 2006 was by far his best season since he earned the division Super Gas crown in 1986. On his way to the championship this time, Boicesco won the prestigious U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis and scored runner-up points at two divisional races. He finished just 32 points behind Jeff Szilagyi of Hellertown, Pa., for the division title.
Gates at Maple Grove Raceway open at 7:30 a.m. Friday. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is at 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday, gates open at 8 a.m. and qualifying and time trials continue from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All classes will run first round of eliminations starting at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all three rounds of eliminations beginning at 5 p.m. A fireworks show is scheduled to start after the finals in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car. Eliminations continue on Sunday at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Maple Grove Raceway are $20 each day and $55 for a three-day pass. Children 6 to 11 are $6 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. There is a Saturday Special price of $25 per carload for the spectator side of the track.
Maple Grove Raceway is located 10 miles south of Reading, off Route 10. From the Pennsylvania Turnpike take exit 298 and go north on Route 10 for six miles. For more information call the track, (610) 856-7200, or visit
www.MapleGroveRaceway.com.
All of the Northeast division Lucas Oil champions are expected to take to the quarter-mile at Maple Grove Raceway in hopes of defending their titles. And they will continue their quest for points at the next Lucas Oil Series race, June 15-17, at Atco (N.J.) Raceway.
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV, where drivers earn points leading to divisional and national championships. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The event is the second of seven in Northeast Division competition. The division's Top Dragster category and Foxwoods Top Sportsman class will run in conjunction with the event.
WHERE: Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, Pa. Track is located 10 miles south of Reading, off Route 10. From Pennsylvania Turnpike take exit 298 and go north on Route 10 for six miles.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, May 26-28, 2007
SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Boat N RV:
FRIDAY, May 26 -- Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8:30 a.m. Comp Eliminator will qualify at 5:30 p.m.; Top Dragster will have qualifying sessions at noon and 4:30 p.m.; and Top Sportsman qualifying is at 12:30 and 5 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 and 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, May 27 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30. Comp Eliminator will qualify at 12:30 and 4 p.m. Top Dragster and Top Sportsman will run first round of eliminations beginning at 11:30 a.m.; Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street will run first round of eliminations starting at 1 p.m.; and Comp Eliminator will run first round at 7:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all three rounds of eliminations starting at 5 p.m. A fireworks show is scheduled to follow the finals in TAD and TAFC.
SUNDAY, May 28 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations continue at 9 a.m.
TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A three-day ticket is $55. Children 6 to 11 years old are $6 Friday, $6 Saturday, $6 Sunday. Kids 5 and under are admitted free. There is a Saturday Special price of $25 per car load for admission to the spectator side of the track. For more information please call Maple Grove Raceway, (610) 856-7812.
PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $195,625, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.
2006 EVENT WINNERS: John Finke, Top Alcohol Dragster; Mickey Ferro, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Sal Biondo, Comp Eliminator; Michael Iacono, Super Stock; Raymond Skipper, Stock Eliminator; Mike Robilotto, Super Comp; Regis LePage, Super Gas; Mike Sawyer, Super Street
BONUS PROGRAMS: NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND -- a $561,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2007 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional champions and national champions. Divisional awards include $8,500 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions; $3,000 to the champions in both Competition and Super Stock; $2,000 each to the champions in Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The seven national champions will share a bonus of $135,000.
JEGS ALLSTARS: The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will compete for a share of the $100,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance. The 2008 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2008 Jegs Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.
The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street champions. Runners-up in all categories will earn $2,000 apiece. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.
Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. Any 2008 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.
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