Shields, Veney win in Virginia

4/22/2012


DIVISION 1
Virginia Motorsports Park
Richmond, Va., April 20-21, 2012 

Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central - Follow the action at - http://northeastdragreview.com/

http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=248294


Saturday

PETERSBURG, Va. – At the Eastern Region Lucas Oil Drag Racing Season opener at Virginia Motorsports Park, reigning Top Alcohol Dragster world champ Duane Shields put a disastrous start to his title defense behind him, outlasting a giant field for his first victory of the season. In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Todd Veney drove Jay Blake's Permatex/Follow A Dream Impala to a close final-round win over D.J. Cox, 5.66 seconds to 5.69.

Shields, who had gone up in smoke right off the line in the first round in each of his four previous starts this year, qualified No. 3 and ran down Jackie Fricke and Mike Kosky in the preliminary rounds and Rich McPhillips, who had dominated all weekend, in the final.

"The car has run well at every track we've been to this year – just not in eliminations," Shields said. "It's kind of hard to tune the thing when it only goes five feet, but we got it calmed down this weekend and finally got a win."

Fricke, who won a national event at this track as a Super Comp driver, got the jump in round one, but Shields ran her down, 5.40 to 5.47. In the semi's, Kosky, who closed 2011 with his first national event win since 1999, was off like a shot and seemingly had the race in hand when his fuel tank ruptured and Shields slipped past him, 5.41, 268 mph to 5.61, 253.

"I saw him almost all the way," Shields said. "My car usually makes a charge at the top end, but I was already thinking, 'I don't know about this…' because he was so far out there. Then he just disappeared and I shot by him."

The final was over early when McPhillips, who ran quicker on his worst qualifying run (5.33) than any other driver did on his best, went up in smoke a few hundred feet off the line. After qualifying No. 1 with a 5.31, McPhillips had low e.t. of the opening round with a 5.37 against two-time Division 1 champ John Finke and low e.t. of the semifinals with a 5.34 opposite Doug Foley's close 5.39. He slipped to a 6.98 in the final while Shields streaked to a 5.38, his quickest run of eliminations.

"It really left hard that time," Shields said. "I dropped a cylinder pretty early in the run and still ran a .38. McPhillips had been running so well all weekend that when I felt it drop that cylinder I was sure he was going to come around me, but he never did."

Seventeen drivers attempted to qualify, and several "name" drivers missed the cut, including Chase Copeland, Dan Page, and 2011 Division 1 champion Karen Stalba, who broke behind the line on her final qualifying attempt.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Veney qualified No. 1 and set low e.t. and top speed with a 5.60 at 258.07 mph. "It's great to win a race this early in the season," he said. "I really owe Jay, tuner Tommy Howell, and our whole team for having this car set up perfectly all weekend. We overcame some problems and won some close ones – especially the semi's and the final. Eric Lourie and I always seem to have good races, and D.J. is someone I have a lot of respect for. He's really a good driver – most people just don't know about him yet."

Cox ran a strong 5.66 on his only qualifying run, which was his first run anywhere all year. He took out the automatic-transmission-equipped car of Wayne Morris in round one, 5.72 to 5.78, and recent Charlotte runner-up Dan Pomponio in the semifinals, 5.70 to 5.75, and left first in every round.

Former NHRA Lucas Oil Comp Champion Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., grabbed the win in Comp Eliminator defeating Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., as both drivers suffered mechanical problems in the final round while Lincoln Morehead held off the hard charging Byron Worner in Super Stock.  Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., drove his '87 Camaro to a 10.136 second, 129.83 mph pass to Worner's 9.915, 133.42 out of Duncannon, Pa.

A pair of home state racers made trips to the winners circle with Kevin Maupin, Stuarts Draft, Va., winning in Super Gas and Mark Payne, Waynesboro, Va., in the Division's MXI/Magnaflux Top Sportsman class.  Maupin beat second generation driver Mike Sawyer in his '93 Beretta with a perfect reaction time coupled with a 9.892 second, 149.71 mph lap.  Payne clocked in at 192.22 mph in 7.026 seconds for the win over John Taylor, Naples, Fla.

Other winners in Petersburg were Donald Pires, Somerset, Mass., in Stock; Tom Cable, Hughesville, Md., in Super Comp; Brian Lee Baker, Asheboro, N.C., in Super Street and Bill Russell, Russell, Mass., in Top Dragster.

Running in conjunction with the Lucas Oil event this weekend was Pro Stock Snowmobile with Scott Marsh, Highland, N.Y., taking out the No. 1 qualifier Ed Armstrong in the final round.  Marsh went 8.360, 152.02 mph to Armstrong's 8.426, 154.05.

Northeast Division racers head to Maple Grove Raceway for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, May 25-27.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Power In The Park event at Virginia Motorsports Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
ROUND ONE
2) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.406, 267.22 def.
7) Jackie Fricke, Flemington, N.J., 5.472, 263.51;

4) Doug Foley, Statesville, N.C., 5.394, 241.32 def.
5) Aaron Tatum, Oklahoma City, Okla., 5.531, 261.88;

3) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.387, 260.86 def.
6) Dan Mercier, LaPrairie, Quebec, 5.392, 265.69;

1) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.377, 271.68 def.
8) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 15.005, 68.67;

SEMIFINALS
Shields, 5.414, 268.28 def. Kosky, 5.619, 253.28;
McPhillips, 5.345, 272.56 def. Foley, 5.396, 264.39;

FINALS
Shields, 5.380, 265.12 def. McPhillips, 6.982, 143.93.

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE
2) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.701, 254.71 def.
7) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, foul;

5) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.991, 248.16 def.
4) John Anderika, Wyoming, Pa., '06 Monte Carlo, 11.816, 61.55;
 
3) DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford, Md., '09 Monte Carlo, 5.720, 251.95 def.
6) Wayne Morris, Lincoln Univ., Pa., '09 Mustang, 5.780, 248.29;

1) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., '10 Impala SS, 5.658, 256.02 def.
8) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '09 Mustang, 5.804, 245.72;

SEMIFINALS
Cox Jr., 5.707, 252.66 def. Pomponio, 5.750, 252.80;
Veney, 5.712, 253.28 def. Lourie, 5.749, 250.83;

FINALS
Veney, 5.667, 253.99 def. Cox Jr., 5.697, 253.66.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., dragster, F/ED, broke  def.
Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., '32 Bantam, G/EA, broke.

SUPER STOCK
Lincoln Morehead, Marlboro, N.Y., '89 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.136, 129.83  def.
Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '96 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.915, 133.42.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Don Pires Jr, Somerset, Mass., '72 Nova, H/SA, 11.915, 97.26  def.
Sterling Simmons, Chesterfield, Va., '98 Camaro, D/SA, foul.

SUPER COMP
Tom Cable, Hughesville, Md., dragster, 8.915, 173.09  def.
Ken Griffiths, Eden Prairie, Minn., dragster, 8.920, 168.56.

SUPER GAS
Kevin Maupin, Stuarts Draft, Va., '93 Beretta, 9.892, 149.71  def.
Mike Sawyer, Leominster, Mass., '03 Cavalier, 9.890, 157.03.

TOP DRAGSTER
Bill Russell, Chester, Mass., dragster, 6.786, 197.13  def.
Jason Hoff, Littlestown, Pa., dragster, 6.885, 194.52.

SUPER STREET
Brian Lee Baker, Asheboro, N.C., '71 Comet, 10.910, 140.02  def.
James Neville, Franklinville, N.J., '79 Camaro, 10.884, 127.81.
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
 Mark Payne, Waynesboro, Va., '06 Cavalier, 7.026, 192.22 def.
 John Taylor, Naples, Fla., '99 Dakota, 7.543, 178.07

PRO STOCK SNOWMOBILE
Scott Marsh, Highland, N.Y., '05 Ski Doo, 8.360, 152.02  def.
Ed Armstrong, Westfield, Mass., '03 Ski Doo, 8.426, 154.05.


Friday

PETERSBURG, Va.– Racing kicked off today for the NHRA Northeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Power In The Park event at Virginia Motorsports Park with racers in eleven classes looking to battle the quarter mile this weekend.  Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars highlight the event, making two qualifying runs today that will set the field for Saturday's eliminations beginning start at 3 p.m. with round 1.

The division's MXI/Magnaflux Top Sportsman, Top Dragster and Comp Eliminator classes are also in competition making a final qualifying run on Saturday prior to the start of eliminations for the sportsman classes.  The Pro Stock Snowmobile class will run two qualifying sessions on Saturday as well as all of their elimination rounds.  Gates open at 8 a.m. on Saturday with racing set to begin at 8:30 a.m. 

Admission tickets for the event are $20 for adults, children 6-12 are just $5 and kids under 5 are free with a paid adult.  Virginia Motorsports Park is located in Central Virginia just 30 miles south of Richmond in Dinwiddie County.  For more information call the track at (804) 862-3174, or visit www.virginia motorsports.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Power In The Park event at Virginia Motorsports Park:


TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.318 seconds, 272.06 mph
2) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.355, 266.37
3) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.368, 263.41
4) Doug Foley, Statesville, N.C., 5.401, 261.52
5) Aaron Tatum, Oklahoma City, Okla., 5.410, 269.62
6) Dan Mercier, LaPrairie, Quebec, 5.422, 270.27
7) Jackie Fricke, Flemington, N.J., 5.460, 262.69
8) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.460, 257.24
Not Qualified
9) Jeff Veale, Hamilton, Ont., 5.462, 251.06
10) Ryan Copeland, Gainesville, Texas, 5.494, 271.02
11) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., 5.558, 255.53
12) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.592, 246.98
13) Dan Dietrich, Glen Arm, Md., 5.940, 185.61
14) Sidnei Frigo, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., 6.921, 168.79
15) Mike Burns, Bisbee, Ariz., 8.636, 98.05
16) Karen Stalba, Hammonton, N.J., 10.190, 114.09
17) Dan Page, Hampstead, N.H., 11.988, 262.44

First round TAD pairings
1) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.318 seconds, 272.06 mph vs.
8) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.460, 257.24

2) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.355, 266.37 vs.
7) Jackie Fricke, Flemington, N.J., 5.460, 262.69

3) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.368, 263.41 vs.
6) Dan Mercier, LaPrairie, Quebec, 5.422, 270.27

4) Doug Foley, Statesville, N.C., 5.401, 261.52 vs.
5) Aaron Tatum, Oklahoma City, Okla., 5.410, 269.62

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., '10 Impala SS, 5.600 seconds, 258.07 mph
2) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.656, 256.99
3) DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford, Md., '09 Monte Carlo, 5.662, 254.38
4) John Anderika, Wyoming, Pa., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.703, 250.88
5) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.711, 252.28
6) Wayne Morris, Lincoln Univ., Pa., '09 Mustang, 5.726, 250.69
7) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.837, 251.25
8) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '09 Mustang, 5.837, 249.07
Not Qualified
9) John Headley, Newportville, Pa., '09 Mustang, 6.583, 211.63
10) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '02 Corvette, (no time)

First round TAFC pairings
1) Todd Veney, Indianapolis, Ind., '10 Impala SS, 5.600 seconds, 258.07 mph vs.
8) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '09 Mustang, 5.837, 249.07

2) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.656, 256.99 vs.
7) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.837, 251.25

3) DJ Cox Jr., Whiteford, Md., '09 Monte Carlo, 5.662, 254.38 vs.
6) Wayne Morris, Lincoln Univ., Pa., '09 Mustang, 5.726, 250.69

4) John Anderika, Wyoming, Pa., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.703, 250.88 vs.
5) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.711, 252.28

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR
1) Frank Aragona, Freehold, N.J., dragster, F/ED, 8.035 seconds, -0.675 (under index)
2) Lee Sharp, Maryville, Tenn., '09 G5, D/SMA, 8.299, -0.671
3) Russell Joly, Louisa, Va., '10 Cobalt, C/AA, 7.253, -0.657
4) Glen Treadwell, Sorrento, Fla., dragster, G/ED, 7.814, -0.646
5) Calvin Hill, Tamaqua, Pa., '09 Pontiac, I/AA, 8.062, -0.638
6) Tony Terry, Forest, Va., '11 Cobalt, G/AA, 8.259, -0.611
7) Charlie Greco, Paoli, Pa., '10 Cobalt, L/AA, 8.742, -0.598
8) Jim Kimbrough, Pace, Fla., dragster, C/DA, 6.952, -0.598
9) Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.183, -0.597
10) Joe Carnasciale, Cranston, R.I., '06 Cavalier, I/SM, 8.988, -0.592

SUPER STOCK
1) Guy DesJardins, St. Bruno, Quebec, '67 Camaro, SS/FA, 9.433 seconds, -1.017 (under index)
2) Jacques Blais, Tolland, Conn., '98 Mustang, GT/EA, 9.747, -0.903
3) Mark LaBrecque, W. Springfield, Mass., '00 S-10, GT/TC, 10.203, -0.897
4) Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.506, -0.894
5) Bob Cupp, Alexandria, Va., '65 Chevelle, SS/KA, 10.381, -0.869
6) Larry Perkins, Collegeville, Pa., '68 Barracuda, SS/AH, 8.436, -0.864
7) Ray Scardelli, Manalapan, N.J., '97 Probe, GT/H, 9.997, -0.853
8) Nick Scardelli, Manalapan, N.J., '85 Capri, GT/KA, 10.598, -0.852
9) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '10 Mustang, GT/AA, 9.263, -0.837
10) Bryan Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '90 Camaro, GT/EA, 9.820, -0.830

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Adam Keir, Dunkirk, Md., '70 Nova, A/SA, 9.893 seconds, -1.107 (under index)
2) Wayne Totaro, Baltimore, Md., '02 Firebird, B/SA, 10.273, -0.977
3) Ryan Hardison, Baybon, N.C., '69 Mustang, B/SA, 10.277, -0.973
4) Tex Miller, Fayetteville, Pa., '72 Mustang, E/SA, 10.730, -0.970
5) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '10 Mustang, A/SA, 10.032, -0.968
6) Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., '85 Camaro, I/SA, 11.355, -0.945
7) Jack Matyas, Bethlehem, Pa., '04 GTO, E/SA, 10.761, -0.939
8) Mike Moller, Youngsville, N.C., '89 Lebaron, BF/S, 13.718, -0.932
9) Sterling Simmons, Chesterfield, Va., '98 Camaro, D/SA, 10.625, -0.925
10) Brian Rowe, New Bern, N.C., '90 Camaro, H/SA, 11.245, -0.905

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '12 GXP, 6.645 seconds, 212.16 mph
2) John Benoit, Barre, Vt., '68 Camaro, 6.686, 204.57
3) Jeff Brooks, Fredericksburg, Va., '51 Henry J, 6.701, 203.86
4) Ryan Ondrejko, Roslindale, Mass., '12 Camaro, 6.743, 203.92
5) Ray Bamond, Paterson, N.J., '99 6.771, 201.88
6) Douglas Bussa, S. Glastonbury, Conn., '02 Camaro, 6.807, 202.73
7) Gerard Milette, St. Etienne, Quebec, '63 Corvette, 6.962, 200.44
8) Glenn Teets, Manassas, Va., '08 GTO, 6.971, 197.25
9) Mark Payne, Waynesboro, Va., '06 Cavalier, 7.000, 194.49
10) Alexander Thomson, New Providence, N.J., '63 Corvette, 7.093, 196.47

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Megan Daymude, Inwood, W.V., dragster, 6.348 seconds, 213.87 mph
2) Alan O'Brien, Roncerverte, W.V., dragster, 6.369, 235.35
3) Warren Heaps, Ashland, Mass., dragster, 6.521, 208.42
4) Lauren Freer, Lewisville, N.C., dragster, 6.571, 202.00
5) Bill Russell, Chester, Mass., dragster, 6.752, 197.97
6) Glenn Flack, Sewell, N.J., dragster, 6.780, 198.85
7) James Bridge, Napanee, Ont., dragster, 6.789, 188.91
8) Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., dragster, 6.796, 162.43
9) Jason Hoff, Littlestown, Pa., dragster, 6.822, 196.10
10) Mike Gardner, Haymarket, Va., dragster, 6.855, 191.10


Preview

Virginia Motorsports Park will hosts to the Power in the Park event on April 20-21. The event is one of seven in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Northeast division. 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 MXI/Magnaflux Top Sportsman and Top Dragster Series' presented by Select Performance and Pro Stock Snowmobile will also run in conjunction with the event.

Gates at Virginia Motorsports Park open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday. Qualifying and time trials start Friday and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Top Sportsman and Top Dragster qualify Friday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.  First round eliminations Top Sportsman and Top Dragster are slated for Saturday at noon. Comp Eliminator qualifies Friday at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. with eliminations starting Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualify Friday at 1 and 5 p.m. Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car start Saturday at 3 p.m. Pro Stock Snowmobile qualifies Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. with eliminations starting at 2:45 p.m.

Virginia Motorsports Park is located at 8018 Boydton Plank Rd, Petersburg, VA 23803.  For more information call the track, (804) 862-3174, or visit www.virginiamotorsports.com.

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series the first of seven events in Northeast 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 MXI/Magnaflux Top Sportsman and Top Dragster Series' presented by Select Performance will also run in conjunction with the event.

WHERE: Virginia Motorsports Park, Petersburg, VA. The track is located in Central Virginia just 30 minutes south of Richmond in Dinwiddie County.

WHEN: Friday through Saturday, April 20-21, 2012

SCHEDULE: FRIDAY, April 20 - Gates open at 7:30 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8:30 a.m. Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Comp Eliminator qualifying is at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying is scheduled noon and 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, April 21 - Gates open at 8 a.m. Qualifying and time trials begin at 8:30 a.m. Comp Eliminator, Top Dragster and Top Sportsman qualifying is at 10 a.m. and round 1 of eliminations at 11:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all three rounds of eliminations at 3 and 5 and 7 p.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS - $20 Friday, $20 Saturday. Children 6 to 12 years old are $5 each day. Children 5 and under are admitted free with a paid adult.  For more information please call Virginia Motorsports Park, (804) 862-3174, or visit www.virginiamotorsports.com.

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.


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