Tedesco, Leanders lead Gainesville Lucas Oil Series winners

3/12/2016


DIVISION 2
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville, Fla., March 11-13, 2016 

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


Saturday

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the final results from Southeast Division Prelude to the Gators event at Gainesville Raceway and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Mia Tedesco, Murrysville, Pa. and Ulf Leanders, Viksjofors, Sweden, took home the wins in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car respectively.

Tedesco, worked her way through the field and ran 5.393 seconds at 271.90 mph in her final round victory over Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., who clocked in at 5.417 seconds, 268.76 mph. Tedesco defeated No. 1 qualifier Duane Shields in the semifinals with a 5.262, 274.50. In the final round, Tedesco was out first and led the whole way to take her third TAD Regional win. She also has two divisional wins to go with them, one in Super Comp and one in Super Gas.

Leanders faced off against Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., and posted a winning run of 5.586 seconds, 261.47 mph in his '10 Monte Carlo. Gordon drove to a 5.664 second, 246.08 mph lap for his runner up finish. This was a close race most of the way with Leanders trailing but steadily closing the gap. As Gordon slowed Leanders went by for the win earning his second regional win, in his second-ever final round. The other came at the final regional event at The Strip at Las Vegas in 2014.

David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., took home his 47th divisional event win, and his 32nd win in Comp Eliminator. Rampy faced off against Jim Greenheck, Schofield, Wis. The pair had identical lights at the start but Greenheck slowed and Rampy got the win posting run of 7.345 seconds at 155.97 mph.

Jim Bailey, Bradenton, Fla., won for his first time in Stock Eliminator. Bailey had the advantage at the light and scored a winning run of 9.872 seconds at 128.44 mph over Joseph Santangelo, Marlborough, Conn. Along with this being Bailey's first ever win this is his first ever final round in a divisional event in his classic '65 Belvedere. His only other divisional-level final rounds were in the eighties, with three finals in Top Alcohol Funny Car at tracks in the Midwest

In the Davis Golf Carts Top Sportsman Series, Mike Weaver, Griffin, Ga., took home the win over Sandy Wilkins, Mount Ulla, N.C. It was a good final round with Weaver taking a small holeshot and running closer to his dial for the win. This was Weaver's first divisional win in Top Sportsman. Weaver recorded a winning run of 7.376 seconds at 187.73 mph.  The Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster saw Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., take home the trophy in 6.446 seconds at 210.31 mph to beat Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C.

Other racers visiting the winner's circle this weekend were Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., in Super Stock; Brad Plourd, Holly Pond, Ala., in Super Comp; John Taylor, Naples, Fla., in Super Gas; and Jonathan Anderson, Griffin, Ga., in Super Street;

Southeast Division racers head to Atlanta Dragway for a double header Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series weekend, March 31-April 3.

The following are Saturday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division Prelude to the Gators:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Mia Tedesco, Pittsburg, Pa., 5.393, 271.90  def.
Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., 5.417, 268.76.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Ulf Leanders, Viksjofors, Sweden, '10 Monte Carlo, 5.586, 261.47  def.
Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '15 Camaro, 5.664, 246.08.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.345, 155.97  def.
Jim Greenheck, Schofield, Wis., '12 Camaro, C/AA, 7.679, 145.08.

SUPER STOCK
Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., '98 Grand Am, SS/AS, 8.925, 143.55  def.
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.158, 125.75.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Jim Bailey, Bradenton, Fla., '65 Belvedere, AA/SA, 9.872, 128.44  def.
Joseph Santangelo, Marlborough, Conn., '95 Camaro, C/SA, 10.598, 121.62.

SUPER COMP
Brad Plourd, Holly Pond, Ala., dragster, 8.928, 158.07  def.
John Labbous, White House, Tenn., dragster, 8.908, 164.65.

SUPER GAS
John Taylor, Naples, Fla., '99 Dakota, 14.461, 68.12  def.
Al Walker, Lawrenceville, Ga., '74 Trans Am, foul.

SUPER STREET
Jonathan Anderson, Griffin, Ga., '05 Sunfire, 10.929, 129.31  def.
Morgan Hoda, Biloxi, Miss., '69 Camaro, 10.898, 148.20.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Mike Weaver, Griffin, Ga., '15 Camaro, 7.376, 187.73  def.
Sandy Wilkins, Mount Ulla, N.C., '69 Camaro, 6.669, 207.02.

TOP DRAGSTER
Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '14 American, 6.446, 210.31  def.
Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., '13 American, 6.457, 217.98.



Friday

GAINESVILLE, Fla.. – Racing kicked off today for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Prelude to the Gators event at Gainesville Raceway. The event is the first of six in the NHRA Southeast Division with racers earning points toward national, regional and divisional championships as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $500,000. 

The 270-mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car classes highlight the event with three qualifying runs today. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car eliminations are Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. with final eliminations at 6 pm.

The division's Hickory Enclosed Trailers Top Dragster and Davis Golf Carts Top Sportsman classes also made qualifying runs today, and will make two qualifying passes on Saturday at 12:15 & 4:30 p.m. and eliminations will begin on Sunday at 10 a.m.  Super Stock, Super Gas and the rest of the classes in competition ran qualifying and time trials today.

Gates open at 7 a.m. on Saturday with final qualifying set to begin at 9:00 a.m. An admission for the event is $15 daily for adults and children 12 and under ticket is free with a paid adult.  For more information call Gainesville Raceway (352-377-0046) - or visit www.gainesvilleraceway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division Prelude to the Gators:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.198 seconds, 276.92 mph
2) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.295, 275.34
3) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.325, 273.11
4) Mia Tedesco, Pittsburg, Pa., 5.365, 273.44
5) Josh Hart, Ocala, Fla., 5.372, 271.19
6) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.450, 262.59
7) Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., 5.518, 269.35
8) Dan Mercier, LaPrairie, Quebec, 5.540, 268.65
Not Qualified
9) Don Nolan, Manchester, Ky., 6.020, 238.64
10) Jackie Fricke, Flemington, N.J., 6.053, 235.43
11) Jake Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 10.771, 95.54


TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Doug Gordon, Paso Robles, Calif., '15 Camaro, 5.521 seconds, 267.11 mph
2) DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford, Md., '09 Monte Carlo, 5.568, 260.51
3) Ulf Leanders, Viksjofors, Sweden, '10 Monte Carlo, 5.575, 261.32
4) Kris Hool, Evansville, Wyo., '10 Monte Carlo, 5.619, 260.11
5) Tyler Scott, Exeter, Ont., '10 Monte Carlo, 5.784, 242.15
6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '10 Monte Carlo, 5.791, 257.19
7) Matt Gill, W. Bridgewater, Mass., '16 Camaro, 5.859, 258.07
8) Phil Burkart, Yorkville, N.Y., '15 Camaro, 5.905, 255.39
Not Qualified
9) Mark Rogers, Highlands, N.C., '04 Monte Carlo, 5.940, 195.22
10) Joshua Haskett, Millers Creek, N.C., '10 Monte Carlo, 6.668, 182.97
11) Rob Pfeister, Crestwood, Ky., '04 Camaro, 13.094, 60.41

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR (Not Final)
1) Lee Sharp, Loudon, Tenn., '09 G5, D/SMA, 8.248 seconds, -0.732 (under index)
2) Rodney Rosenstiel, Pace, Fla., '23 Ford T, AA/AM, 6.344, -0.696
3) Ray Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '14 Mustang, D/AA, 7.540, -0.680
4) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '32 Bantam, A/EA, 7.254, -0.666
5) Jim Greenheck, Schofield, Wis., '12 Camaro, C/AA, 7.301, -0.659
6) Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '05 Cavalier, G/AA, 8.253, -0.657
7) Tony Terry, Lynchburg, Va., '11 Cobalt, G/AA, 8.275, -0.635
8) Danny Holt, Powell, Tenn., '05 Escort, C/EA, 8.077, -0.623
9) Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., '05 Ken Keir, F/ED, 8.092, -0.618
10) Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, Ind., '14 Spitzer, B/DA, 6.854, -0.606

SUPER STOCK (Final)
1) Ray Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '10 Mustang, FSS/D, 8.773 seconds, -1.127 (under index)
2) Bill Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '10 Mustang, FSS/E, 9.054, -0.996
3) Allen Wade, Rochester, Ind., '69 Camaro, SS/DA, 9.214, -0.986
4) Jerry Silveus, Van Buren, Ohio, '05 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.289, -0.961
5) Kevin Helms, Schriever, La., '11 Challenger, FSS/E, 9.099, -0.951
6) Leonard Mattingly, Cox's Creek, Ky., '95 Achieva, GT/IA, 10.251, -0.949
7) Irvin Johns, Memphis, Ind., '08 Cobalt, GT/BA, 9.308, -0.942
8) Jeff Taylor, Sellersburg, Ind., '03 Cavalier, GT/DA, 9.583, -0.917
9) Jeff Adkinson, Damascus, Ga., '05 Sunfire, GT/CA, 9.496, -0.904
10) David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., '87 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.146, -0.904

STOCK ELIMINATOR (Final)
1) Drew Skillman, Greenwood, Ind., '12 Mustang, FS/B, 8.959 seconds, -1.041 (under index)
2) Anthony Bongiovanni, Rockaway, N.J., '08 Mustang, FS/A, 8.715, -0.985
3) Jerry Hatch, Lubec, Maine, '71 Duster, D/SA, 10.569, -0.981
4) Gary Richard, Bayshore, N.Y., '10 Mustang, FS/D, 9.657, -0.943
5) Charley Downing, Britton, Mich., '10 Mustang, FS/J, 10.860, -0.940
6) Jim Marshall, Indian Land, S.C., '78 Nova, H/SA, 11.222, -0.928
7) Gregory Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '91 Corvette, G/SA, 11.090, -0.910
8) Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.400, -0.900
9) J Allen Sherman, Donaldsonville, La., '00 Corvette, B/SA, 10.352, -0.898
10) Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '15 Camaro, FS/F, 10.305, -0.895

TOP SPORTSMAN (Final)
1) Marc Caruso, Canandiagua, N.Y., '13 Camaro, 6.161 seconds, 229.31 mph
2) Carl Brunet, Napierville, Quebec, '11 GXP, 6.426, 215.55
3) Jeffrey Barker, Kathleen, Ga., '06 Cobalt, 6.617, 211.53
4) Bruce Thrift, Waycross, Ga., '07 GTO, 6.627, 209.46
5) Sandy Wilkins, Mount Ulla, N.C., '69 Camaro, 6.638, 207.59
6) Dylan Stott, Columbus, N.C., '67 Mustang, 6.659, 209.01
7) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '12 GXP, 6.665, 212.09
8) Donny Urban, Selma, N.C., '10 GXP, 6.711, 205.22
9) Chadrick Morrison, Statesville, N.C., '57 BelAir, 6.761, 201.16
10) Vince Hoda, Diamondhead, Miss., '68 Camaro, 6.780, 202.91

TOP DRAGSTER (Final)
1) Jason Kenny, Kingston, Ont., '14 Dan Page, 6.252 seconds, 218.83 mph
2) Shanna Snyder, Elkhart, Ind., '06 Spitzer, 6.253, 232.35
3) Les Feist, Clearwater, Minn., '13 Miller, 6.266, 221.96
4) Lindsey Barker, Kathleen, Ga., '12 Miller, 6.309, 213.43
5) Matt Cooke, Hendersonville, N.C., '09 Horton, 6.340, 221.31
6) Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., '13 American, 6.378, 219.90
7) Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, Ala., '14 American, 6.408, 214.21
8) Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., '16 Racetech, 6.434, 215.48
9) Lauren Freer, Mooresville, N.C., '15 Miller, 6.490, 210.80
10) Larry Roberts, Laurens, S.C., '06 Racetech, 6.498, 204.70


Preview

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Southeast Division arrives at Gainesville Raceway for the Prelude to the Gators on March 11-13. The event is one of 44 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 Davis Golf Carts Top Sportsman Series and Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

Gates at Gainesville Raceway open at 8 a.m. each day. Qualifying and time trials start at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualify Friday at 4:30 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 4:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualify Friday at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. with all three rounds of eliminations set for Saturday beginning at 11:45 a.m. Eliminations for the other classes begin on Saturday afternoon and continue on Sunday.

Tickets for Gainesville Raceway are $15 each day. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.

Gainesville Raceway is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal Airport. For more information call the track, (352) 377-0046, or visit www.GainesvilleRaceway.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: Prelude to the Gators, one of seven events in the Southeast Division where drivers earn points leading to divisional, regional 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 division's Davis Golf Carts Top Sportsman Series and Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales Top Dragster Series will also be run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. Track is located on State Road 225, 3.5 miles north of the Gainesville Municipal airport.

WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 11-13.

SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, March 11 - Gate opens at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualify at 4:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualify at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 12 - Gate opens at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 9 a.m. Top Dragster, Comp Eliminator and Top Sportsman qualify at noon and 4:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car eliminations at 11:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 13 - Gate opens at 8 a.m. Final Eliminations begin at 9 a.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS - Friday $15, Saturday $15, Sunday $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway, (352) 377-0046 or visit www.gainesvilleraceway.com.

2015 EVENT WINNERS Duane Shields, Top Alcohol Dragster; Mickey Ferro, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Glen Treadwell, Comp Eliminator; Jimmy Hidalgo, Super Stock; Kevin Helms, Stock; Denver Maltba, Super Comp; Craig Porter, Super Gas; John Rollins, Super Street; Jeffery Barker, Top Sportsman; Cameron Manuel, 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 2015 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 $124,000 point fund from JEGS High Performance. The 2015 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 2015 JEGS Allstars. Points are based on in-division races only.

The winning division and regional teams will share $25,000 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 2015 JEGS Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

DAVIS GOLF CARTS TOP SPORTSMAN SERIES: Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Sportsman class are vying for division championships and a share in the year-end purse. The top points finisher will earn a year-end bonus of $2,500, the runner-up will get $1000 and the third place finisher will receive $500

HICKORY ENCLOSED TRAILER SALES TOP DRAGSTER SERIES: Run in conjunction with the NHRA Lucas Oil Series, competitors in the Top Dragster class are vying for division championships and a share in the year-end purse. The top points finisher will earn a year-end bonus of $2,500, the runner-up will get $1000 and the third place finisher will receive $500

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 Southeast Division NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event. The Moser Sportsman Shootout will be held at the 2015 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Silver Dollar Raceway with a posted purse of $15,000, with the winner taking home up to $5,000.

HUGHES PERFORMANCE No. 1 QUALIFIER: Racers in Comp, Super Stock, Stock, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman will compete for the Hughes Performance No. 1 Qualifier with the top qualifier in each class at each Southeast Divisional events receiving a $100 product certificate.


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