DIVISION 2
Bradenton Motorsports Park
Bradenton, Fla., Feb. 15-17, 2008
Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central
Event preview
Sunday:
BRADENTON, Fla. – Morgan Lucas took his No. 1 qualifying effort in Top Alcohol Dragster all the way to the winner's circle at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park while Mickey Ferro earned the win over Top Alcohol Funny Car top qualifier Jay Payne. Bradenton resident Stanley Albritton Jr., the defending division champ, scored the win in Top Sportsman.
Lucas, who resides in Brownsburg, Ind., and also campaigns a Top Fuel Dragster in NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series, made his best run of the day in the opening round of eliminations when he knocked out Marion, Ind., racer Robin Samsel with a 5.353-second, 265.56 mph pass. In the final, he lined up against No. 2 qualifier, Dan Mercier, Montreal, Que. Lucas's 5.424-second, 261.17 mph pass was more than enough to cover Mercier's 5.613-second run at 240.00 mph.
Ferro, a Stamford, Conn., resident, qualified in the No. 2 spot behind Payne, but was outpacing the Claremont, Calif., racer all day. In the final, Ferro ran 5.773 seconds at 255.68 mph while Payne slowed to a 6.739-second pass at 143.42 mph.
Albritton Jr. squared off in the Top Sportsman final against Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga. Albritton ran his '04 Grand Am to a 7.028-second pass to Davis's 10.180 second effort in his '63 Corvette.
Jesup, Ga., resident Grant Lewis wheeled his '05 Cavalier to the win in Comp Eliminator, beating out Larry Pritchett of Clarkrange, Tenn., in an '07 Sunfire. In Super Stock, Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., driving a '98 Grand Am, beat out No. 1 qualifier Lee Sharp of Maryville, Tenn., in an '05 Cavalier. Former Stock Eliminator national champion Randy Wilkes of Zanesville, Ohio, drove his '01 Firebird to the win over Chris Puzycki, W. Melbuourne, Fla., in his '85 Camaro. In Super Comp, Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., grabbed the win from Sherman Adcock Jr., of Fortson, Ga. Newington, Conn., racer Lynn Hoosigian drove her '66 Chevelle to the Super Gas win, beating out Ray Connolly of Elyria, Ohio, while in Super Street, David Polichena, Lake Worth, Fla., beat Tom DePascale, Sayreville, N.J. Another Lake Worth racer, John Weidner, beat Bradenton's Gary Williams in the Top Dragster final.
Southeast Division racers head to Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, February 22-24.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., 5.353, 265.56 def.
8) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 17.874, 41.77
2) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.396, 260.49 def.
7) Peter Gallen, Broomoll, Pa., 5.756, 235.84
3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.548, 258.76 def.
6) Doug Hegge, Vancouver, Wash., 6.103, 228.60
5) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.616, 257.58 def.
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 6.227, 206.04
Semifinals
Mercier, 5.510, 261.39 def. Finke, 5.606, 259.36
Lucas, 5.420, 261.55 def. Bourke, 5.642, 258.84
Final
Lucas, 5.424, 261.17 def. Mercier, 5.613, 240.00
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.730, 252.31 def.
8) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., '00 Avenger, 6.414, 223.93
2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.684, 255.17 def.
7) Bill Naves, Salisbury, N.C., '01 Avenger, 6.427, 221.18
6) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '04 Firebird, 5.881, 244.43 def.
3) Keeter Ray, Newport Bch, Calif., '08 Mustang, 6.141, 239.80
5) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 6.091, 234.07 def.
4) Mike Bell, Fulton, Mo., '06 Monte Carlo, 12.497, 57.97
Semifinals
Payne, 5.734, 253.02 def. Billington, 24.843, 30.94
Ferro, 5.665, 256.04 def. Sullivan, 5.957, 242.91
Final
Ferro, 5.773, 255.68 def. Payne, 6.739, 143.42
COMP ELIMINATOR
Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., '05 Cavalier, F/SMA, 8.711, 151.69 def.
Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '07 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.119, 167.06
SUPER STOCK
Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., '98 Grand Am, SS/AS, 9.406, 140.36 def.
Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '05 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.593, 155.19
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '01 Firebird, A/SA, 10.468, 112.19 def.
Chris Puzycki, W. Melbourne, Fla., '85 Camaro, I/SA, foul
SUPER COMP
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., dragster, 8.956, 158.08 def.
Sherman Adcock Jr., Fortson, Ga., dragster, 8.937, 157.31
SUPER GAS
Lynn Hoosigian, Newington, Conn., '66 Chevelle, 9.871, 140.80 def.
Ray Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, '63 Corvette, 9.857, 161.08
SUPER STREET
David Polichena, Lake Worth, Fla., '69 Firebird, 10.893, 138.86 def.
Tom DePascale, Sayreville, N.J., '74 Vega, 10.848, 142.69
TOP SPORTSMAN
Stanley Albritton Jr., Bradenton, Fla., '04 Grand Am, 7.082, 161.87 def.
Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 10.180, 92.44
TOP DRAGSTER
John Weidner, Lake Worth, Fla., dragster, 6.897, 186.45 def.
Gary Williams, Bradenton, Fla., dragster, 7.203, 170.84
Saturday:
BRADENTON, Fla. – NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors made their final qualifying runs today at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Morgan Lucas of Brownsburg, Ind., set the pace in Top Alcohol Dragster while Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., was No. 1 in Top Alcohol Funny Car.
Lucas, who also campaigns a Top Fuel Dragster in NHRA's POWERade Drag Racing Series, laid down a 5.318-second, 266.27 mph pass to take the top spot. The No. 2 qualifier is Dan Mercier of Montreal, Que., who is nearly a tenth of a second off the pace, with a 5.409-second, 270.43 mph run.
Payne, the division's reigning TAFC champion, covered the quarter-mile in 5.663 seconds at 254.45 mph. Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., is the second-place qualifier with a 5.758-second, 252.24 mph pass.
Lee Sharp of Maryville, Tenn., is the best qualifier in two categories. He stayed in the top spot in Comp Eliminator in his '07 Cobalt, while he drove his '05 Cavalier to the top of the Super Stock field. Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., heads up the Stock Eliminator class in his '69 Camaro while Boca Raton's Doug Patrick is No. 2 in his '72 Cutlass. In Top Sportsman, Ben Donhoff, Melbourne, Fla., wheeled his '93 Daytona to the No. 1 position. In Top Dragster, Mars Hill, Fla., resident Eddie Careccia leads the field while Don Marks of St. Petersburg, Ron Logan of Port Charlotte, and Troy Williams of Bradenton are the No. 2, 3, and 4 qualifiers, respectively. Another Bradenton resident, Gary Williams, is the No. 10 qualifier in Top Dragster.
Racing continues Sunday at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. and eliminations start at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car run first round at 1 p.m.
Tickets for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park are $20. Children 11 and under are admitted free.
Bradenton Motorsports Park is located on SR 64, nine miles east of I-75, exit 220. For more information call the track, (941) 748-1320, or visit www.BradentonMotorsports.com.
The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park:
The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., 5.318 seconds, 266.27 mph
2) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.409, 270.43
3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.454, 263.62
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.652, 254.23
5) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.655, 240.70
6) Doug Hegge, Vancouver, Wash., 5.784, 258.39
7) Peter Gallen, Broomoll, Pa., 5.816, 238.47
8) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.935, 236.84
Not Qualified
9) Cherissa Griffis-Smallwood, Gainesville, Fla., 6.150, 214.08
First round TAD pairings
1) Morgan Lucas, Brownsburg, Ind., 5.318 seconds, 266.27 mph vs.
8) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.935, 236.84
2) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.409, 270.43 vs.
7) Peter Gallen, Broomoll, Pa., 5.816, 238.47
3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.454, 263.62 vs.
6) Doug Hegge, Vancouver, Wash., 5.784, 258.39
4) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.652, 254.23 vs.
5) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.655, 240.70
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.663 seconds, 254.45 mph
2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.758, 252.24
3) Keeter Ray, Newport Bch, Calif., '08 Mustang, 5.863, 249.65
4) Mike Bell, Fulton, Mo., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.909, 245.23
5) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.955, 241.87
6) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '04 Firebird, 6.015, 245.63
7) Bill Naves, Salisbury, N.C., '01 Avenger, 6.066, 210.18
8) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., '00 Avenger, 6.305, 229.35
First round TAFC pairings
1) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '07 Mustang, 5.663 seconds, 254.45 mph vs.
8) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., '00 Avenger, 6.305, 229.35
2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.758, 252.24 vs.
7) Bill Naves, Salisbury, N.C., '01 Avenger, 6.066, 210.18
3) Keeter Ray, Newport Bch, Calif., '08 Mustang, 5.863, 249.65 vs.
6) John Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala., '04 Firebird, 6.015, 245.63
4) Mike Bell, Fulton, Mo., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.909, 245.23 vs.
5) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.955, 241.87
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '07 Cobalt, B/EA, 7.707 seconds, -0.683 (under index)
2) Rodger Brogdon, Houston, '05 Cavalier, G/A, 8.348, -0.682
3) Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '08 Cobalt, H/A, 8.696, -0.644
4) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, G/ED, 8.032, -0.628
5) Justin Lamb, Henderson, Nev., '08 G5, D/SMA, 8.397, -0.623
6) Michael Park, Norman, Okla., '04 Neon, G/AA, 8.290, -0.620
7) Jenny Treadwell, Mt. Plymouth, Fla., dragster, E/ED, 8.304, -0.606
8) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '07 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.076, -0.604
9) Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., '05 Cavalier, F/SMA, 8.680, -0.600
10) Frank Cervelli, Mt. Holly, N.C., dragster, C/DA, 7.046, -0.594
SUPER STOCK
1) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '05 Cavalier, SS/CM, 8.513 seconds, -1.437 (under index)
2) Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Daytona, GT/IA, 10.195, -1.305
3) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '08 Cobalt, SS/BS, 8.752, -1.298
4) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '07 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.148, -1.252
5) John Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.621, -1.229
6) Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., '98 Avenger, GT/HA, 10.129, -1.221
7) Rick Twitchell, Cape Coral, Fla., '03 S-10, GT/TD, 10.404, -1.196
8) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.212, -1.188
9) Tony Cafaro, Brandon, Fla., '02 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.366, -1.134
10) Zack Running, Lapeer, Mich., '95 Achieva, GT/HA, 10.221, -1.129
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.487 seconds, -1.213 (under index)
2) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, L/SA, 11.813, -1.187
3) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.110, -1.140
4) Brett McFarland, Manchester, Ohio, '68 Camaro, A/S, 10.131, -1.119
5) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, J/SA, 11.658, -1.092
6) Mike Meints, Panama City Bch, Fla., '84 Firebird, J/SA, 11.667, -1.083
7) Mary Meints, Panama City Bch, Fla., '86 Camaro, F/SA, 11.092, -1.058
8) Dave Lindsay, Ft. Pierce, Fla., '95 Cobra, E/S, 10.900, -1.050
9) Russell Johnson, Tyrone, Ga., '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.964, -1.036
10) Randy Wilkes, Zanesville, Ohio, '01 Firebird, A/SA, 10.269, -1.031
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ben Donhoff, Melbourne, Fla., '93 Daytona, 6.415 seconds, 220.26 mph
2) Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.854, 201.79
3) Stanley Albritton Jr., Bradenton, Fla., '04 Grand Am, 6.889, 197.23
4) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.897, 201.52
5) Billy Vaughn, Knoxville, Tenn., '01 S-10, 7.026, 190.75
6) Matthew Buck, Lantana, Fla., '96 Firebird, 7.049, 197.62
7) Ricky Adkins, Milan, Mich., '57 Bel Air, 7.060, 190.75
8) Jason Lynch, Pleasant View, Tenn., '03 Cavalier, 7.064, 194.93
9) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.106, 192.34
10) Dewey Pedrick, Lighthouse Pt., Fla., '63 Corvette, 7.152, 194.93
TOP DRAGSTER
1) Eddie Careccia, Mars Hill, Fla., dragster, 5.904 seconds, 241.80 mph
2) Don Marks, St. Petersburg, Fla., dragster, 6.141, 226.81
3) Ron Logan, Port Charlotte, Fla., dragster, 6.363, 217.65
4) Troy Williams, Bradenton, Fla., dragster, 6.826, 192.34
5) John Weidner, Lake Worth, Fla., dragster, 6.862, 195.90
6) Kurt Damron Jr., Fruitland Park, Fla., dragster, 6.878, 192.26
7) Ricky Adkins, Milan, Mich., dragster, 6.916, 194.09
8) Brian Folk, Durand, Ill., dragster, 6.922, 187.18
9) Charlie Culotto, Palm City, Fla., dragster, 6.942, 194.25
10) Gary Williams, Bradenton, Fla., dragster, 6.978, 192.59
Friday:
BRADENTON, Fla. – The first day of qualifying got underway today at Bradenton Motorsports Park's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event with Lee Sharp of Maryville, Tenn., setting the pace in Comp Eliminator behind the wheel of his '07 Cobalt and Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., leading the Super Stock qualifiers in his '91 Daytona. The three-day event, which is the first of six in NHRA's Southeast Division, features drivers in eight categories vying for points leading divisional and national championships.
Doug Patrick of Boca Raton wheeled his '72 Cutlass to the No. 1 qualifying spot in Stock Eliminator while Plant City's Brenda Grubbs, driving her '69 Camaro qualified in the tenth spot. In Top Sportsman qualifying, Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., drove his '63 Corvette to the top of the field and Bradenton's Jim Carlton, in an '04 Corvette, qualified No. 9. Top Dragster competitor Eddie Careccia, Mars Hills, Fla., is the No. 1 qualifier while St. Petersburg resident Don Marks is No. 2 and Port Charlotte racer Ron Logan is No. 3. Another Bradenton resident, Gary Williams, is the tenth-place qualifier in Top Dragster.
Racing continues Saturday and Sunday at Bradenton Motorsports Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. both days. Qualifying and time trials continue Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will each have two qualifying sessions, starting at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 2 and 5 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday morning at 9. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car run first round at 1 p.m.
Tickets for the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park are $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 11 and under are admitted free.
Bradenton Motorsports Park is located on SR 64, nine miles east of I-75, exit 220. For more information call the track, (941) 748-1320, or visit www.BradentonMotorsports.com.
The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bradenton Motorsports Park:
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '07 Cobalt, B/EA, 7.707 seconds, -0.683 (under index)
2) Michael Park, Norman, Okla., '04 Neon, G/AA, 8.290, -0.620
3) Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '08 Cobalt, H/A, 8.727, -0.613
4) Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., '05 Cavalier, F/SMA, 8.680, -0.600
5) Ray Vierheller III, Barberton, Ohio, dragster, D/ED, 7.399, -0.591
6) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand Am, F/A, 8.089, -0.591
7) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '07 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.092, -0.588
8) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.733, -0.587
9) Frank Cervelli, Mt. Holly, N.C., dragster, C/DA, 7.072, -0.568
10) Russell Joly, Louisa, Va., '07 Cobalt, F/AA, 8.079, -0.561
SUPER STOCK
1) Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Daytona, GT/IA, 10.195 seconds, -1.305 (under index)
2) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '08 Cobalt, SS/BS, 8.770, -1.280
3) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '07 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.148, -1.252
4) Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., '98 Avenger, GT/HA, 10.129, -1.221
5) John Fogle, Norway, S.C., '67 Camaro, SS/GA, 9.649, -1.201
6) Rick Twitchell, Cape Coral, Fla., '03 S-10, GT/TD, 10.404, -1.196
7) Terry Pearson, Spanish Fort, Ala., '05 Cavalier, GT/AA, 9.212, -1.188
8) Tony Cafaro, Brandon, Fla., '02 Firebird, GT/IA, 10.366, -1.134
9) Zack Running, Lapeer, Mich., '95 Achieva, GT/HA, 10.221, -1.129
10) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '66 Corvette, SS/B, 9.094, -1.106
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, L/SA, 11.828 seconds, -1.172 (under index)
2) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.110, -1.140
3) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.568, -1.132
4) Brett McFarland, Manchester, Ohio, '68 Camaro, A/S, 10.131, -1.119
5) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, J/SA, 11.658, -1.092
6) Mike Meints, Panama City Bch, Fla., '84 Firebird, J/SA, 11.667, -1.083
7) Mary Meints, Panama City Bch, Fla., '86 Camaro, F/SA, 11.092, -1.058
8) Russell Johnson, Tyrone, Ga., '67 Fairlane, E/SA, 10.964, -1.036
9) Bill Harris, Ooltewah, Tenn., '71 Mustang, D/SA, 10.846, -1.004
10) Brenda Grubbs, Plant City, Fla., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.698, -1.002
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.854 seconds, 199.95 mph
2) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.897, 201.52
3) Matthew Buck, Lantana, Fla., '96 Firebird, 7.049, 197.54
4) Jason Lynch, Pleasant View, Tenn., '03 Cavalier, 7.075, 194.84
5) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.106, 192.34
6) Scott Davis, Pompano Beach, Fla., '97 Cutlass, 7.302, 188.12
7) Scott Gibson, Sanford, Fla., '00 Sonoma, 7.374, 185.98
8) Mike Thompson, Naples, Fla., '03 Cavalier, 7.405, 184.80
9) Jim Carlton, Bradenton, Fla., '04 Corvette, 7.489, 181.12
10) Casey Spradlin, Ranburne, Ala., '69 Camaro, 7.635, 174.38
TOP DRAGSTER
1) Eddie Careccia, Mars Hill, Fla., dragster, 5.904 seconds, 241.80 mph
2) Don Marks, St. Petersburg, Fla., dragster, 6.169, 221.45
3) Ron Logan, Port Charlotte, Fla., dragster, 6.370, 217.65
4) Kurt Damron Jr., Fruitland Park, Fla., dragster, 6.896, 192.18
5) John Weidner, Lake Worth, Fla., dragster, 6.942, 192.30
6) Charlie Culotto, Palm City, Fla., dragster, 6.965, 194.25
7) Bill Empke, W. Palm Beach, Fla., dragster, 7.032, 193.34
8) Ron Raymond, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., dragster, 7.062, 187.22
9) Randy Woods, Moulton, Ala., dragster, 7.112, 188.08
10) Gary Williams, Bradenton, Fla., dragster, 7.113, 186.91
Event preview:
BRADENTON, Fla. – NHRA's Southeast division will kick off its 2008 racing season at Bradenton Motorsports Park, February 15-17. The event will feature drivers in eight categories vying for points leading to divisional and national championships. The division's In-Motion Satellites Top Sportsman Series and the Mid-State RV Top Dragster Series will also run in conjunction with the event.
Led by Bradenton resident Stanley Albritton Jr., NHRA Southeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series champions will converge on Bradenton Motorsports Park to start defending their 2007 titles. The event, which is the first of seven on the division calendar, is slated for February 15-17.
Albritton scored the division's Top Dragster championship after starting the season out with a win at this event a year ago. He also posted a win at the event at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga. North Port, Fla., racer Kevin Mac Nicol will also try to earn his second straight Super Street title. In two final-round appearances last year, Mac Nicol scored a win at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Cecil, Ga., and was runner-up at Atlanta Dragway.
Among other defending champions, Florida residents Craig Eaton, Merritt Island, will run in Comp Eliminator, and Jacksonville's Kurt Damron Jr. will compete in Super Comp.
Ten-time Top Alcohol Funny Car division champion Jay Payne, of Claremont, Calif., will be vying for his fifth consecutive Southeast division title. He opened the season last year with a runner-up finish in Bradenton and went on to score wins at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway and out-of-division races in Belle Rose, La., Joliet, Ill., and Gilliam, La.
Top Alcohol Dragster champ, Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah, was also runner-up here last year. He also scored runner-up points at Atlanta Dragway and at an out-of-division race in Atco, N.J.
Gates at Bradenton Motorsports Park open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials start at 11 a.m. Friday and continue at 9 a.m. Saturday. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will each have one qualifying pass on Friday, beginning at 4 p.m., and two on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will have two qualifying runs on Saturday, at 2 and 5 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday morning at 9. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will start eliminations at 1 p.m.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Bradenton Motorsports Park are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. A three-day pass is $50. Children 11 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.
Bradenton Motorsports Park is located in Bradenton on State Route 64, nine miles east of I-75 exit 220. For more information call the track, (941) 748-1320, or visit
www.BradentonMotorsports.com.
The Southeast division 2008 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season will continue February 22-24 when Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway hosts the event.
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet
WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, 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 first of six in Southeast Division competition. The division's TracStar Systems Satellites Top Sportsman Series and Mid-State RV Top Dragster Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.
WHERE: Bradenton Motorsports Park, Bradenton, Fla. Track is located in Bradenton on SR 64, nine miles east of I-75 exit 220.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, February 15-17, 2008
SCHEDULE: Time trials and qualifying schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:
FRIDAY, Feb 15 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualifying are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
SATURDAY, Feb. 16 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Final qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman will each have two qualifying sessions, starting at 1 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 2 and 5 p.m.
SUNDAY, Feb. 17 -- Gates open at 8 a.m. Eliminations begin at 9 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round beginning at 1 p.m.
TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. A three-day pass is $50. Children 11 and under are admitted free. For more information please call Bradenton Motorsports Park, (941) 748-1320 or visit www.BradentonMotorsports.com.
PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $219,625, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.
2007 EVENT WINNERS: John Finke, Top Alcohol Dragster; Marty Nothstein, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Larry Pritchett, Comp Eliminator; Anthony Bertozzi, Super Stock; Mickey Whaley, Stock Eliminator; Dave Connolly, Super Comp; Tom Stalba, Super Gas; Vinny Laudicina, 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 2008 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.
In-Motion Satellites Top Sportsman Series: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse. Top Sportsman racers may run the seven Southeast Division Lucas Oil events as well as three Lucas Oil Series races in either the North Central or South Central Divisions.
Mid-State RV Top Dragster: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Dragster class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,500 purse.
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