Reichert takes third in a row, Ferro wins Funny Car
7/22/2012


DIVISION 3
National Trail Raceway
Hebron, Ohio, July 20-22, 2012 

Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central


Sunday

Backed into a corner after losing early in his first two regional starts, Bill Reichert won his third straight to complete a perfect regional season and put himself in position to challenge runaway points leader Jim Whiteley for the Alcohol Dragster championship. Mickey Ferro had a much tougher time negotiating the National Trail Raceway surface but managed to eke out the win in Top Alcohol Funny Car for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event just outside Columbus.

Reichert, upset in the first round at both Indianapolis and Norwalk, followed up his Maple Grove and Chicago wins by stopping Robin Samsel in the Columbus final, 5.40 to 5.84. "You try not to think about the pressure of having to win three races in a row for a perfect three-win regional season, but in the back of your mind, it's always there," said Reichert, who won every national championship from 2006 to 2010 and settled for second last year. "I just tried to concentrate on winning each round and dealing with the conditions."

An iffy track and oppressive heat kept drivers in all classes fighting for traction all weekend. "The track was hot, and the air was, too," Reichert said. "A lot of cars smoked the tires ahead of us in the first round, and it seemed like every time another one did, we'd take a little more timing out of it. We didn't want to, but we had to for the car to be able to get a hold of the track."

Running in the last pair of the round, Reichert pounded alternate Dave Heitzman in a rematch of the Chicago final with a 5.35 (low e.t.) that surprised even him. "I definitely didn't think the car would run that good, and we weren't even trying to, but that's the number that came up," he said. After a 5.41 against fellow title contender Randy Meyer in the semifinals, Reichert ran a consistent 5.40 in the final to deny the veteran Samsel.

Ferro struggled with the conditions all weekend but persevered to win his third race this season and second in a row in the North Central Region. "That was ugly," he admitted. "We lucked out. The track got hot and we couldn't get a handle on it. The car would leave hard every time, but it would get out there and start moving around on me and I'd have to short-shift it or just shut it off. "

Ferro qualified No. 2 behind Norwalk winner Chris Foster, who had everybody covered in qualifying with a 5.64, but in the first round, Foster went up in smoke and lost to many-time IHRA event winner Tony Bogolo, 6.12 to a shutoff 13.26. One pair later, Ferro defeated Brian Harvanek in the best race of the event, 5.74 to 5.79. "We had everything – clutch, transmission ratio, timing – backed way down," Ferro said, "and I made it." In round two against Paul Noakes, he didn't.

"The car started getting sideways, I saw the cones coming, and I stepped off of it," Ferro said. "We were just too aggressive down track. This was the kind of race where you probably could just run off the main jet and the barrel valve and count on the track to give you the wheel speed you need."

Ferro strapped a holeshot on Bogolo in the final, .099 to .257, and still won despite having his car shut itself off in the mid-range, coasting to a 6.35 at 187 mph. Bogolo chased him down but fell three-hundredths of a second short with a 6.23, 227.

"They say a win's a win, and I can think of times I've run 5.50s and got sent home, but this isn't the kind of thing I'm going to feel too good about," Ferro said. "When I look at this trophy, I'm not going to feel the same as I will when I look at other ones that I feel we really earned. I guess the important thing is that this weekend helped us keep pace with the other cars going for the championship, but we can't have another one like this and expect to win."

Greg Kamplain held on to take one from Robert Bailey in Comp Eliminator out of Brownsburg, Ind., running 6.927 seconds at 192 mph while John Scali grabbed his second win of the year in the Brodix/Steve Schmidt Top Sportsman class. The Chicago racer went 199 mph to defeat Mike Sowards in 7.107 seconds.

James Monroe advanced to his second final round grabbing his first win of the year in the Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster when Jenifer White fouled at the start and Rob Moser put his Moser Engineering '10 Corvette in the winner's circle in Super Gas taking out Steve Mikus.

Other winners at National Trail Raceway included Dan Olding in Super Stock over Jeremy Duncan; Tom Rambo beating Jeff Taylor in Stock; Michael Shelton defeated Rob Goins in Super Comp; and Scotty Rienschield knocking out Marsha McFall in Super Street.

North Central Division racers head to Mid-Michigan this coming weekend for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, July 28-29.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central Division Buckeye Fuel Wars Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Denny's:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
ROUND ONE
1) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 13.735, 78.85 def.
8) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., broke;

4) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.602, 262.08 def.
5) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.634, 252.38;

3) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 6.227, 250.37 def.
6) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 8.391, 101.91;

2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.359, 268.01 def.
9) Dave Heitzman, Grand Rapids, Ohio, 5.869, 247.79;

SEMIFINALS
Samsel, 5.975, 239.31 def. Dreher, 9.257, 103.14;
Reichert, 5.411, 267.43 def. Meyer, 5.528, 255.68;

FINALS
Reichert, 5.406, 266.11 def. Samsel, 5.849, 234.00.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE
6) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '99 Mustang, 6.129, 227.77 def.
1) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '11 Mustang, 13.268, 66.14;

2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '12 Monte Carlo, 5.747, 252.90 def.
5) Brian Harvanek, Cheswick, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.790, 245.54;

4) Paul Noakes, London, Ont., '02 Mustang, 14.337, 81.00 def.
3) Cassie Simonton, Brooklyn Park, Minn., '09 Monte Carlo, broke;

SEMIFINALS
Ferro, 6.546, 176.63 def. Noakes, foul;
Bogolo, 23.188, 45.44 was unopposed;

FINALS
Ferro, 6.354, 187.29 def. Bogolo, 6.231, 227.08.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, Ind., dragster, B/ED, 6.927, 192.58  def. Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.698,
202.45.

SUPER STOCK
Dan Olding, Hartland, Mich., '99 Monte Carlo, GT/KA, 11.138, 120.80  def. Jeremy Duncan, Charlestown, Ind., '69 Camaro,
SS/GA, foul.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Tom Rambo, Washington C.H., Ohio, '68 Camaro, G/SA, 11.369, 115.50  def. Jeff Taylor, Sellersburg, Ind., '69 Camaro,
C/SA, 11.116, 115.46.

SUPER COMP
Michael Shelton, Independence, Ky., dragster, 8.896, 174.28  def. Rob Goins, Plymouth, Mich., dragster, 8.888, 162.67.

SUPER GAS
Rob Moser, Portland, Ind., '10 Corvette, 9.899, 162.16  def. Steve Mikus, Ashley, Mich., '72 Nova, 9.888, 133.43.

SUPER STREET
Scotty Rienschield, Sunman, Ind., '69 Corvette, 10.862, 148.67  def. Marsha McFall, Tipp City, Ohio, '67 Camaro, 10.861,
119.27.

TOP SPORTSMAN
John Scali, Chicago, Ill., '67 Camaro, 7.107, 199.02  def. Mike Sowards, Clarkston, Mich., '90 Beretta, 7.817, 171.49.

TOP DRAGSTER
James Monroe, Bloomington, Ind., dragster, 6.991, 146.93  def. Jenifer White, Conroe, Texas, dragster, foul.

SUPER GAS SHOOTOUT PRESENTED BY MOSER ENGINEERING
Gary Linkhorn, Cumberland, Ohio, '27 roadster, 9.907, 146.46  def. Rock Haas, White Lake, Mich., '05 Corvette, 9.913,
149.00.

SUPER STREET SHOOTOUT PRESENTED BY MOSER ENGINEERING
Joey Shipp, Whiteland, Ind., '68 Camaro, 10.906, 136.33  def. John Parsons, Blacklick, Ohio, '84 Camaro, 10.912, 139.34.

SUPER COMP SHOOTOUT PRESENTED BY MOSER ENGINEERING
Nathanael Stilwell, Baltimore, Ohio, '11 Pickens, 8.913, 147.57 def.
Sean Graham, Gahanna, Ohio, '08 American, 8.935, 177.21.


Saturday

HEBRON, Ohio – Day two is complete and fields are set in the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car classes for this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Buckeye Fuel Wars presented by Denny's at National Trail Raceway.  Racers in the other eight classes of competition made their final qualifying passes today, along with some early rounds of eliminations.  Eliminations continue on Sunday for this, the fourth event of 2012 for the NHRA North Central Division.  

Classes in the series range from five-second, 260 mph alcohol dragsters and funny cars to super gas roadsters and wheel standing super stocks, all battling it out on the quarter mile.

Racing gets back underway on Sunday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. with round 1 of the Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars set for noon.

Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, children 6-12 are $5 and kids 5 and under are free with a paid adult.  For more information please call National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706, or visit www.nationaltrailraceway.com

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central Division Buckeye Fuel Wars Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Denny's:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.398 seconds, 252.52 mph
2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.421, 263.15
3) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.425, 266.11
4) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.445, 264.96
5) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.610, 250.60
6) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.645, 254.33
7) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 5.715, 252.52
8) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., 5.970, 235.06
Not Qualified
9) Dave Heitzman, Grand Rapids, Ohio, 7.343, 232.39
10) Don Nolan, Manchester, Ky., (no time)

First round TAD pairings
1) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.398 seconds, 252.52 mph vs.
8) Denny Hummel, Clinton Twnshp, Mich., 5.970, 235.06

2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.421, 263.15 vs.
7) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 5.715, 252.52

3) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.425, 266.11 vs.
6) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.645, 254.33

4) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.445, 264.96 vs.
5) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.610, 250.60

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '11 Mustang, 5.640 seconds, 256.02 mph
2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '12 Monte Carlo, 5.722, 251.95
3) Cassie Simonton, Brooklyn Park, Minn., '09 Monte Carlo, 5.726, 252.71
4) Paul Noakes, London, Ont., '02 Mustang, 5.740, 253.28
5) Brian Harvanek, Cheswick, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.779, 248.52
6) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '99 Mustang, 6.035, 235.56

First round TAFC pairings
1) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '11 Mustang, 5.640 seconds, 256.02 mph vs.
6) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '99 Mustang, 6.035, 235.56

2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '12 Monte Carlo, 5.722, 251.95 vs.
5) Brian Harvanek, Cheswick, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.779, 248.52

3) Cassie Simonton, Brooklyn Park, Minn., '09 Monte Carlo, 5.726, 252.71 vs.
4) Paul Noakes, London, Ont., '02 Mustang, 5.740, 253.28

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Jason Coan, Kokomo, Ind., dragster, F/ED, 8.084 seconds, -0.606 (under index)
2) Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, Ind., dragster, B/ED, 6.908, -0.572
3) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.848, -0.542
4) Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '10 Cobalt, E/SM, 8.534, -0.536
5) Brian Browell, Lafayette, Ind., dragster, D/D, 7.257, -0.533
6) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.635, -0.525
7) Chuck Haubiel, Gahanna, Ohio, '10 Cobalt, C/SM, 8.240, -0.520
8) Rick Brown, Lebanon, Ohio, '00 S-10, B/TA, 8.271, -0.509
9) Scott Chamness, Kankakee, Ill., dragster, B/D, 6.738, -0.502
10) Jeremy Bailey, N. Manchester, Ind., dragster, B/DA, 6.862, -0.498

SUPER STOCK
1) Drew Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '12 Mustang, SS/AAA, 8.369 seconds, -1.031 (under index)
2) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '08 Cobalt, GT/BA, 9.253, -0.997
3) Rich South, Pataskala, Ohio, '08 G5, GT/EA, 9.694, -0.956
4) James Evanuik, N. Versailles, Pa., '98 Escort, GT/A, 9.066, -0.934
5) Nick Morris, Bardstown, Ky., '98 Mustang, GT/FA, 9.879, -0.921
6) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '08 Cobalt, GT/GA, 9.989, -0.911
7) Jeff Niceswanger, Zanesville, Ohio, '89 Camaro, GT/FA, 9.909, -0.891
8) Dan Kyle, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '88 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.111, -0.889
9) Jeff Dona, Gordonville, Mo., '98 Firebird, SS/HA, 9.712, -0.888
10) Dave Dupps Jr., Germantown, Ohio, '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.369, -0.881

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '12 Mustang, AA/SA, 9.041 seconds, -0.959 (under index)
2) Drew Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '12 Mustang, AA/SA, 9.047, -0.953
3) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '10 Challenger, A/SA, 10.072, -0.928
4) Donnie Beeler, Elizabethtown, Ky., '67 Camaro, G/S, 11.001, -0.899
5) Bill Sempsrott, Franklin, Ohio, '66 Nova, K/S, 11.653, -0.897
6) David Walther, Lanesville, Ind., '69 Camaro, G/S, 11.005, -0.895
7) Chuck Beach, Delaware, Ohio, '68 Barracuda, F/SA, 10.974, -0.876
8) Andrew Hill, Lousiville, Ky., '70 Camaro, D/SA, 10.677, -0.873
9) Jim Boburka, Corapolis, Pa., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.131, -0.869
10) Bruce Witherspoon, Lansing, Mich., '90 Corvette, G/SA, 11.133, -0.867

SUPER COMP
1) Todd Kujawa, Elkhart, Ind., dragster, S/C, 8.901 seconds, 0.001 (over index)
2) Phil Smida, Canfield, Ohio, dragster, S/C, 8.901, 0.001
3) Steven Fields, Carleton, Mich., dragster, S/C, 8.901, 0.001
4) Troy Galbraith, Indianapolis, Ind., dragster, S/C, 8.907, 0.007
5) Billy Upton, Taylors, S.C., dragster, S/C, 8.910, 0.010
6) Rob Goins, Plymouth, Mich., dragster, S/C, 8.910, 0.010
7) John Berberich, Blacklick, Ohio, dragster, S/C, 8.911, 0.011
8) Josh Gnandt, Wellington, Ohio, dragster, S/C, 8.912, 0.012
9) Joey Serena, Petersburg, Ill., dragster, S/C, 8.914, 0.014
10) Rusty Cook, Cynthiana, Ky., dragster, S/C, 8.914, 0.014

SUPER GAS
1) Don Miller, Dover, Pa., '68 Camaro, S/G, 9.903 seconds, 0.003 (over index)
2) Nathan Vrooman, Wabash, Ind., '91 Beretta, S/G, 9.904, 0.004
3) Ray Connolly, Elyria, Ohio, '63 Corvette, S/G, 9.904, 0.004
4) Dwight Nuest, Kouts, Ind., '92 Cavalier, S/G, 9.904, 0.004
5) Paul Fidler, Greenwich, Ohio, '76 Vega, S/G, 9.906, 0.006
6) Steve Mikus, Ashley, Mich., '72 Nova, S/G, 9.909, 0.009
7) Pat Martin, London, Ohio, '27 roadster, S/G, 9.909, 0.009
8) Aaron Witsman, Bloomington, Ind., '81 Monza, S/G, 9.910, 0.010
9) Steven Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., '68 Camaro, S/G, 9.910, 0.010
10) David Dailey, E. Liverpool, Ohio, '48 Anglia, S/G, 9.910, 0.010

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Randy Primozic, Willoughby Hills, Ohio, '01 Cavalier, 6.737 seconds, 206.76 mph
2) Lester Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., '55 Bel Air, 6.741, 205.32
3) Billy Thoman, Mt Washington, Ky., '63 Corvette, 6.769, 204.23
4) Andy Horne, Delaware, Ohio, '10 Mustang, 6.807, 203.22
5) Bob Mandell, Culleoka, Tenn., '57 Bel Air, 6.809, 202.33
6) Curt Fredrich, Burlington, Wis., '68 Camaro, 6.811, 204.51
7) Glenn Butcher, Doylestown, Ohio, '68 Camaro, 6.863, 200.23
8) Gary Wojnowski Jr., Brunswick, Ohio, '96 Monte Carlo, 6.883, 199.61
9) Gary Wojnowski Sr., Strongsville, Ohio, '96 Cutlass, 6.884, 204.14
10) Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '06 Cobalt, 6.905, 204.35

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Troy Stone, Elkhart, Ind., dragster, 6.014 seconds, 236.63 mph
2) Alan O'Brien, Roncerverte, W.V., dragster, 6.067, 238.60
3) Michael Smith, Owosso, Mich., dragster, 6.299, 221.09
4) Tom Elliott, Brooks, Ky., dragster, 6.366, 216.31
5) Martin Chappo, Hobart, Ind., dragster, 6.368, 215.13
6) Rick Forish, New Palestine, Ind., dragster, 6.469, 210.37
7) James Monroe, Bloomington, Ind., dragster, 6.470, 210.41
8) Vince Nannini, Lake Bluff, Ill., dragster, 6.491, 211.73
9) Rob Moser, Portland, Ind., dragster, 6.507, 210.05
10) Ed Dudley, Fishers, Ind., dragster, 6.509, 210.60


Friday

HEBRON, Ohio – NHRA North Central division racers are back in action this week at National Trail Raceway for the Buckeye Fuel Wars presented by Denny's, the fourth of six events in their 2012 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.  Bill Reichert and Chris Foster come into the event leading the points chase in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively and look to add to their points totals. 

Racers in ten different classes, made qualifying and time trial runs today including the series' premier Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars who ran their opening qualifying session with two more scheduled for tomorrow at 1 and 4 p.m.  The division's Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster, Brodix/Steve Schmidt Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator classes ran one session today with two more tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. 

Racing gets underway at 9 a.m. on Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. on Sunday.  Tickets are $20 each day for adults, children 6-12 are just $5 and kids 5 and under are free with a paid adult.  For more information please call National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706, or visit www.nationaltrailraceway.com

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Buckeye Fuel Wars presented by Denny's event at National Trail Raceway:



TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Jared Dreher, Clinton, Ind., 5.398 seconds, 250.18 mph
2) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.430, 260.86
3) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 5.445, 264.08
4) Randy Meyer, Spring Hill, Kan., 5.453, 262.23
5) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.673, 250.37
6) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.750, 247.20
7) Brian Mans, Godfrey, Ill., 8.418, 105.83
8) Dave Heitzman, Grand Rapids, Ohio, 11.734, 93.27
Not Qualified
9) Don Nolan, Manchester, Ky., (no time)

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Chris Foster, Davenport, Iowa, '11 Mustang, 5.713 seconds, 249.49 mph
2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '12 Monte Carlo, 5.722, 251.95
3) Cassie Simonton, Brooklyn Park, Minn., '09 Monte Carlo, 5.726, 249.72
4) Tony Bogolo, Hamilton, Ohio, '09 Mustang, (no time)
5) Paul Noakes, London, Ont., '02 Mustang, (no time)

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Jason Coan, Kokomo, Ind., dragster, F/ED, 8.123 seconds, -0.567 (under index)
2) Robert Bailey, Wabash, Ind., dragster, A/ED, 6.676, -0.484
3) Scott Chamness, Kankakee, Ill., dragster, B/D, 6.759, -0.481
4) Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, Ind., dragster, B/ED, 7.003, -0.477
5) Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven, Mich., '23 roadster, J/AA, 7.945, -0.445
6) Ed Bennett, Carleton, Mich., dragster, A/D, 6.585, -0.445
7) Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '10 Cobalt, E/SM, 8.628, -0.442
8) Chuck Haubiel, Gahanna, Ohio, '10 Cobalt, C/SM, 8.323, -0.437
9) Rick Brown, Lebanon, Ohio, '00 S-10, B/TA, 8.345, -0.435
10) David Billingsley, Decatur, Ill., '93 Cutlass, L/AA, 8.907, -0.433

SUPER STOCK
1) Rich South, Pataskala, Ohio, '08 G5, GT/EA, 9.755 seconds, -0.895 (under index)
2) James Evanuik, N. Versailles, Pa., '98 Escort, GT/A, 9.110, -0.890
3) Dan Kyle, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '88 Firebird, SS/JA, 10.127, -0.873
4) Jeff Dona, Gordonville, Mo., '98 Firebird, SS/HA, 9.755, -0.845
5) Dave Layer, Dayton, Ohio, '08 Cobalt, GT/GA, 10.056, -0.844
6) Jeff Niceswanger, Zanesville, Ohio, '89 Camaro, GT/FA, 9.958, -0.842
7) Drew Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '12 Mustang, SS/AAA, 8.565, -0.835
8) Todd Frantz, Louisville, Ky., '88 Beretta, GT/DA, 9.668, -0.832
9) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '08 Cobalt, GT/BA, 9.419, -0.831
10) Rock Haas, White Lake, Mich., '08 Mustang, SS/CA, 9.219, -0.831

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Drew Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '12 Mustang, AA/SA, 9.047 seconds, -0.953 (under index)
2) Irvin Johns, Charlestown, Ind., '10 Challenger, A/SA, 10.102, -0.898
3) Bo Butner, Floyds Knobs, Ind., '12 Mustang, AA/SA, 9.124, -0.876
4) Donnie Beeler, Elizabethtown, Ky., '67 Camaro, G/S, 11.029, -0.871
5) David Walther, Lanesville, Ind., '69 Camaro, G/S, 11.032, -0.868
6) Bruce Witherspoon, Lansing, Mich., '90 Corvette, G/SA, 11.133, -0.867
7) Jim Boburka, Corapolis, Pa., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.143, -0.857
8) Lewis Conkey, London, Ohio, '88 Camaro, L/S, 11.849, -0.851
9) Dave Edwards, Washington C.H., Ohio, '94 Camaro, C/SA, 10.551, -0.849
10) Chuck Beach, Delaware, Ohio, '68 Barracuda, F/SA, 11.016, -0.834

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Randy Primozic, Willoughby Hills, Ohio, '01 Cavalier, 6.741 seconds, 205.72 mph
2) Lester Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., '55 Bel Air, 6.741, 205.32
3) Andy Horne, Delaware, Ohio, '10 Mustang, 6.807, 203.22
4) Bob Mandell, Culleoka, Tenn., '57 Bel Air, 6.809, 202.18
5) Gary Wojnowski Jr., Brunswick, Ohio, '96 Monte Carlo, 6.884, 199.23
6) Jeff Sexton, Fairborn, Ohio, '03 Cavalier, 6.918, 202.18
7) Curt Fredrich, Burlington, Wis., '68 Camaro, 6.944, 199.58
8) Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, '06 Cobalt, 6.973, 202.55
9) Billy Thoman, Mt Washington, Ky., '63 Corvette, 6.974, 197.31
10) Tim Molnar, Seville, Ohio, '02 Grand Am, 6.996, 197.16

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Alan O'Brien, Roncerverte, W.V., dragster, 6.203 seconds, 234.00 mph
2) Michael Smith, Owosso, Mich., dragster, 6.384, 217.11
3) Vince Nannini, Lake Bluff, Ill., dragster, 6.507, 210.28
4) Rob Moser, Portland, Ind., dragster, 6.507, 208.01
5) Rick Forish, New Palestine, Ind., dragster, 6.512, 207.53
6) Martin Chappo, Hobart, Ind., dragster, 6.515, 193.49
7) James Monroe, Bloomington, Ind., dragster, 6.571, 205.85
8) Cheyenne Stanley, Cynthiana, Ky., dragster, 6.584, 206.32
9) Ed Dudley, Fishers, Ind., dragster, 6.600, 207.78
10) Andy Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., dragster, 6.605, 208.17


Preview

HEBRON, Ohio - Buckeye Fuel Wars presented by Denny's will take place on July 20-22 at National Trail Raceway for the fourth stop in the North Central division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. The event is one of 43 scheduled across the country where drivers earn points leading to divisional, regional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $519,000. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The division's Brodix/Steve Schmidt Top Sportsman Series and Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

Gates at National Trail Raceway open at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and Sunday at 7.a.m. Qualifying and time trials start Friday morning at 10 a.m. and continue Saturday at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator will qualify once on Friday, at 2:30 p.m., and twice on Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will qualify Friday, at 4 p.m. and Saturday, at 1 and 5 p.m. Eliminations start Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will round one is at noon.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at National Trail Raceway are $10 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 each day and children 5 and under are admitted free.

National Trail Raceway is located on U.S. Highway 40 between Highway 158 (exit 122) and Highway 37 (exit 126) off of Interstate 70, east of Columbus. For more information call the track, (740) 928-5706, or visit www.NationalTrailRaceway.com.

BUCKEYE FUEL WARS: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Buckeye Fuel Wars Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Denny's the fourth of six events in North Central Division competition where drivers earn points leading to divisional, regional and national championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $519,000. Categories include Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The division's Brodix/Steve Schmidt Top Sportsman Series and Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster Series will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: National Trail Raceway, Hebron, Ohio. Track is located on U.S. Highway 40 between Highway 158 (exit 122) and Highway 37 (exit 126) off of Interstate 70, east of Columbus.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, July 20-22, 2012

SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, July 20 - Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator qualifying start at 2:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, July 21 - Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator will each have two qualifying sessions starting at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 1 and 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, July 22 - Eliminations continue at 8:30 a.m. Round 1 for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS - $10 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday. Children 6-12 are $5 each day. Children 5 and under are free with paid adult. For more information please call National Trail Raceway, (740) 928-5706, or visit www.NationalTrailRaceway.com.

2011 EVENT WINNERS: Brian Mans, Top Alcohol Dragster; Tony Bartone, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Rick Brown, Comp Eliminator; David Rampy, Super Stock; Chuck Beach, Stock Eliminator; Michael Shelton, Super Comp; Steve Theodor, Super Gas; Rob Ferris, Super Street; Curt Fredrich, Top Sportsman; Dylan Stott, Top Dragster

BONUS PROGRAMS:
NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES POINTS FUND
: a $519,000 point fund from Lucas Oil, which will be shared by 2012 NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional, regional and national champions. Regional awards include $10,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car champions with Divisional awards of $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 $119,000 point fund from Jegs High Performance. The 2012 Jegs Allstars event will culminate a year-long points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series' eight classes as well as Top Sportsman and Top Dragster. The top points earner in each category will qualify to represent his/her division at the 2012 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, $5,000 to Top Sportsman and Top Dragster champions, 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 $25,000 towing fund to get to the event.

Event sponsor, Jegs High Performance, is offering a "double up" bonus to Jegs Allstars participants. Any 2012 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

DRAW/RFC Super Eliminator Shootouts presented by Moser Engineering: The top 8 qualifiers in Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street compete in special Shootouts presented by Moser Engineering that benefit DRAW (Drag Racing Association of Women) and RFC (Racers For Christ). Qualifying and eliminations take place on Friday.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR BONUS: A $4,000 per event non-contingent round money bonus is awarded to Competition qualifiers by the following companies: Browell Bellhousing, Bruno's Converter Drive Unit, Bullet Racing Cams, Butner Auto Sales, Coan Engineering, C Tech Aluminum Cabinets, Indy Gear, Jenkins Competition, Liberty's Gears, Miller, Goodyear - Competition Tire West, and Stratton Chevrolet. Plus a year-end Miller/JEGS Competition Eliminator Shootout.

SPITZER RACE CARS TOP DRAGSTER CLASS: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Spitzer Race Cars Top Dragster class are vying for division championships and a share in the $3,200 event purse as well as points leading to a divisional championship. Top Dragster racers may earn points at the six North Central Division Lucas Oil events as well as the NHRA Jegs Northern SPORTSnationals. Points may also be earned at other NHRA division Top Dragster series events.

BRODIX/STEVE SCHMIDT TOP SPORTSMAN CLASS: Run in conjunction with the Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Brodix/Steve Schmidt Top Sportsman Class are vying for division championships and a share in the $4,400 event purse plus contingency awards as well as points leading to a divisional championship and a year-end purse of $4,500. Top Sportsman racers may earn points at the six North Central Division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events as well as the NHRA Jegs Northern SPORTSnationals and the NHRA Doorslammer National Open. Points may also be earned at other NHRA out-of-division Top Sportsman series events.

MOSER SPORTSMAN SHOOTOUT: Drivers who compete in seven NHRA sportsman classes will be eligible to participate in a new sportsman shootout program sponsored by Moser Engineering. Moser Engineering Sportsman Shootout qualifying points will be earned by competitors in Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, Super Street, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman at each North Central Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. The Moser Sportsman Shootout will be held at the 2012 JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals with a posted purse of $15,000, with the winner taking home up to $5,000.


National Hot Rod Association
http://sportsman.nhra.com/