Results will be posted as soon as they are available. For detailed results, go to Drag Race Central
PETERSBURG, Va. (May 2, 2009) – Top Alcohol Funny Car ace Frank Manzo came out of the gate swinging in the NHRA Northeast division. The reigning divisional and national champion opened the division season with a win at Virginia Motorsports Park's Full Throttle Shootout, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Joining Manzo in the winner's circle is the current Top Alcohol Dragster national champ, Bill Reichert of Owosso, Mich., and Belleville, N.J., resident Anthony Fetch who scored a rare double win, taking home the goods in both Super Stock and Stock Eliminator.
Manzo, a resident of Morganville, N.J., started the race from the No. 1 position and never looked back. He made his best run of the day in the final when he squared off against No. 2 qualifier John Anderika of Pittson, Pa. Manzo ran 5.583 seconds at 238.02 mph to Anderika's 5.916-second, 221.89 mph lap.
Reichert had qualified in the No. 3 spot but made his best pass of the weekend, 5.379 seconds at 265.85 mph, in the final. Runner-up Duane Shields of Boulder City, Nev., ran a respectable 5.444 seconds at 269.62 mph but it was not enough to catch Reichert who is fresh off a win last week in Indianapolis.
In Super Stock, Fetch wheeled his '92 Camaro to the win over Sal Piacentini of North East, Md., while in Stock Eliminator he took his '68 Camaro to the win over Richmond's Raymond Skipper Jr.
Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., got the win in Comp Eliminator when he bested Vinny Barone of Dix Hills, N.Y. Super Comp racer Many Teets, Manassas, Va., ousted Jason Huff, Littlestown, Pa., in the final and Al Kenny, Kingston, Ont., got the win in Super Gas beating Chris DePascale, Parlin N.J., in the final. The Super Street win went to Martin Ganjoin of Brick, N.J., over Scott Williams of Carson, Va. Lantana, Fla., racer Matthew Buck earned the win in Top Sportsman when he jettisoned No. 1 qualifier John Benoit, Montpelier, Vt., in the final and Frank Altilio, Ocoee, Fla., got the win in Top Dragster beating out Jeff Serra, Reingolds, Pa., in the final.
The NHRA Northeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series season continues May 22-24. Racers will head to Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., for the next event.
The following are Saturday's final results at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Round 1
1) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.368, 265.90 def.
8) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.647, 246.08;
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.447, 258.02 def.
2) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 7.701, 107.66
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.509, 269.51 def.
6) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 8.211, 118.06
5) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.513, 268.38 def.
4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 8.031, 103.47
Semifinals
Reichert, 5.462, 267.27 def. Allen, 5.467, 258.42
Shields, 5.395, 270.10 def. Finke, 5.486, 265.59
Final
Reichert, 5.379, 265.85 def. Shields, 5.444, 269.62
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.685, 214.72 def.
8) Rob Atchison, London, Ont., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.997, 242.50
2) John Anderika, Pittson, Pa., '02 Camaro, 12.235, 77.78 def.
7) Larry Dobbs, Welland, Ont., '01 Corvette, broke
3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '09 Impala, 5.786, 252.19 def.
10) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '08 Mustang, 6.087, 233.88
4) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.857, 253.23 def.
5) Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., '05 Monte Carlo, 13.093, 85.49
Semifinals
Anderika, 5.716, 247.57 def. Nothstein, 5.746, 251.91
Manzo, 5.604, 257.38 def. Tigges, 9.236, 95.50
Final
Manzo, 5.583, 238.02 def. Anderika, 5.916, 221.89
COMP ELIMINATOR
Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, I/AA, 8.220, 163.04 def.
Vinny Barone, Dix Hills, N.Y., '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 7.866, 168.26
SUPER STOCK
Anthony Fetch, Belleville, N.J., '92 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.433, 122.06 def.
Sal Piacentini, North East, Md., '77 Firebird, SS/MA, 11.134, 118.24
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Anthony Fetch, Belleville, N.J., '68 Camaro, E/SA, 11.307, 110.74 def.
Raymond Skipper Jr., Richmond, Va., '93 Camaro, B/SA, 10.528, 119.67
SUPER COMP
Mandy Teets, Manassas, Va., dragster, 9.271, 118.87 def.
Jason Huff, Littlestown, Pa., dragster, 9.019, 140.24
SUPER GAS
Alan Kenny, Kingston, Ont., '03 Corvette, 9.936, 158.13 def.
Chris DePascale, Parlin, N.J., '04 Corvette, 9.941, 159.51
SUPER STREET
Martin Ganjoin, Brick, N.J., '69 Camaro, 10.887, 132.32 def.
Scott Williams, Carson, Va., '53 Studebaker, broke
TOP SPORTSMAN
Matthew Buck, Lantana, Fla., '96 Firebird, 7.022, 195.28 def.
John Benoit, Montpelier, Vt., '57 Bel Air, 6.736, 203.28
TOP DRAGSTER
Frank Altilio, Ocoee, Fla., dragster, 7.176, 187.76 def.
Jeff Serra, Reingolds, Pa., dragster, 7.037, 182.92
PETERSBURG, Va. (May 1, 2009) – The opening rounds of qualifying are complete at Virginia Motorsports Park's Full Throttle Shootout, a round of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. Local Top Dragster racer, Kenny Young of Petersburg, is No. 1 in his class while John Finke of Selkirk, N.Y., leads the Top Alcohol Dragster contingent and Top Alcohol Funny Car ace Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., set the pace in that category. There were a total of 13 Top Alcohol Dragsters and 14 Top Alcohol Funny Cars at VMP vying for a spot in the eight-car fields.
Finke's 5.382-second, 261.78 mph lap in the final qualifying session was just enough to put him ahead of Mike Kosky of Cuddy, Pa. Kosky ran 5.385 seconds at 262.79 mph. Finke will take on No. 8 qualifier Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del. in the first round of eliminations Saturday. Reigning Top Alcohol Dragster national champ Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., is qualified in the No. 3 slot.
Manzo, who is the defending division and national Top Alcohol Funny Car champion, outran the No. 2 qualifier, John Anderika, Pittson, Pa., by more than a tenth of a second. Manzo ran 5.554 seconds at 259.51 mph to Anderika's 5.656-second, 251.39 mph pass. Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., is qualified in the No. 3 position.
David Allen, Sewickly, Pa., leads the Comp Eliminator field and Jon Richardson, Lexington, N.C., wheeled his '67 Camaro to the top of the Super Stock ladder. Westfield, Mass., resident Gary Parker is No. 1 in Stock Eliminator in his '75 Camaro and John Benoit, Montpelier, Vt., and his '57 Bel Air lead the Top Sportsman class.
Racing continues Saturday at Virginia Motorsports Park. Gates open at 8 a.m. and final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Eliminations will follow immediately. Racers in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run first round at noon.
Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park are $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Virginia Motorsports Park is located approximately 30 minutes south of Richmond at 8018 Boydton Plank Road. For more information call the track, (804) 862-3174, or visit www.VirginiaMotorsports.com.
The following are Friday's qualifying results, including first round pairings for TAD and TAFC, from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Virginia Motorsports Park:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.382 seconds, 261.78 mph
2) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.385, 262.79
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.419, 266.48
4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.450, 260.97
5) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.451, 264.91
6) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.475, 264.03
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.502, 256.26
8) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.566, 254.66
Not Qualified
9) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.687, 244.60
10) Darvin Martinets, Lake Jackson, Texas, 5.713, 245.00
11) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.839, 246.30
12) Bob Weickgenannt, Marriottsville, Va., 5.852, 238.81
13) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.886, 257.28
First round TAD pairings
1) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.382 seconds, 261.78 mph vs.
8) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.566, 254.66
2) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.385, 262.79 vs.
7) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.502, 256.26
3) Bill Reichert, Owosso, Mich., 5.419, 266.48 vs.
6) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.475, 264.03
4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.450, 260.97 vs.
5) Duane Shields, Boulder City, Nev., 5.451, 264.91
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.554 seconds, 259.51 mph
2) John Anderika, Pittson, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.656, 251.39
3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '09 Impala, 5.713, 254.90
4) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.736, 255.19
5) Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.830, 241.71
6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.970, 244.52
7) Larry Dobbs, Welland, Ont., '01 Corvette, 5.999, 235.31
8) Rob Atchison, London, Ont., '06 Monte Carlo, 6.009, 243.63
Not Qualified
9) Scott McNiece, Brick, N.J., '08 Mustang, 6.015, 238.34
10) Melinda Green-King, Norfolk, Va., '08 Mustang, 6.024, 232.99
11) John Fiorini, Dalton, Mass., '00 Avenger, 6.265, 236.84
12) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '03 Corvette, 6.362, 218.80
13) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 8.475, 106.77
14) Jason McKnight, Barrie, Ont., '08 Impala, (no time)
First round TAFC pairings
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.554 seconds, 259.51 mph vs.
8) Rob Atchison, London, Ont., '06 Monte Carlo, 6.009, 243.63
2) John Anderika, Pittson, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.656, 251.39 vs.
7) Larry Dobbs, Welland, Ont., '01 Corvette, 5.999, 235.31
3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '09 Impala, 5.713, 254.90 vs.
6) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.970, 244.52
4) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.736, 255.19 vs.
5) Neal Parker, Millville, N.J., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.830, 241.71
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) David Allen, Sewickley, Pa., '09 GXP, BB/AM, 6.856 seconds, -0.634 (under index)
2) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., dragster, F/D, 8.040, -0.610
3) Dave Yediny, Nazareth, Pa., '71 Opel, L/A, 8.887, -0.603
4) Charlie Greco, Berwyn, Pa., '06 GTO, D/AA, 7.683, -0.597
5) Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, I/AA, 8.197, -0.593
6) Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Grand Am, H/SM, 8.994, -0.566
7) Michael Hardee, Hampstead, N.C., '05 Sunfire, E/SM, 8.533, -0.557
8) Vinny Barone, Dix Hills, N.Y., '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 7.848, -0.552
9) Frank Aragona Jr., Freehold, N.J., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.329, -0.551
10) Joe Carnasciale, Cranston, R.I., '92 Camaro, I/SM, 9.127, -0.543
SUPER STOCK
1) Jon Richardson, Lexington, N.C., '67 Camaro, SS/AS, 8.684 seconds, -1.216 (under index)
2) Melvin Daniels, Yardley, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AH, 8.576, -1.174
3) Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.533, -1.167
4) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '96 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.847, -1.153
5) Hunt Sharron, Greensboro, N.C., '87 Camaro, GT/CA, 9.548, -1.152
6) Bob Bagley, Fredricksburg, Va., '02 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.073, -1.127
7) Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.442, -1.108
8) Tom Sheehan, Belle Vernon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.398, -1.102
9) Edward Alessi, Bethpage, N.Y., '02 Firebird, GT/AA, 9.302, -1.098
10) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '66 Corvette, SS/B, 9.120, -1.080
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Gary Parker, Westfield, Mass., '75 Camaro, H/SA, 11.145 seconds, -1.305 (under index)
2) Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.444, -1.256
3) Bud Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '94 Camaro, B/SA, 10.294, -1.256
4) Bobby Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firehawk, C/SA, 10.457, -1.243
5) Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.519, -1.231
6) Jack Matyas, Bethlehem, Pa., '00 Pontiac, B/SA, 10.342, -1.208
7) J. Wayne Totaro, Baltimore, Md., '02 Firebird, B/SA, 10.461, -1.089
8) Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '90 Camaro, K/SA, 11.863, -1.087
9) Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.170, -1.080
10) Mike Moyer, Sandston, Va., '78 Firebird, J/SA, 11.670, -1.080
TOP SPORTSMAN
1) John Benoit, Montpelier, Vt., '57 Bel Air, 6.733 seconds, 202.52 mph
2) Matthew Buck, Lantana, Fla., '96 Firebird, 6.810, 203.65
3) Jeff Brooks, Fredericksburg, Va., '51 Henry J, 6.949, 197.28
4) Glenn Teets Jr., Manassas, Va., '08 GTO, 6.954, 198.70
5) William Brown III, Chesapeake, Va., '05 Grand Am, 7.019, 188.57
6) Ronnie Proctor, Harpers Ferry, W.V., '02 Mustang, 7.067, 193.99
7) Frank Maiolo, White Plains, N.Y., '07 GTO, 7.174, 190.73
8) Michael Kaufman, Woodcliff Lake, N.J., '67 Corvette, 7.241, 189.47
9) Bernard Goode, Richmond, Va., '99 Monte Carlo, 7.290, 187.94
10) Arthur DeCesare, Oakdale, N.Y., '63 Corvette, 7.292, 188.41
TOP DRAGSTER
1) Kenny Young, Petersburg, Va., dragster, 6.778 seconds, 206.23 mph
2) Al Miller, Chester, Md., dragster, 6.832, 195.85
3) James Monroe, Bloomington, Ind., dragster, 6.867, 195.22
4) Jeff Serra, Reingolds, Pa., dragster, 6.954, 191.92
5) Doug Doll, Lititz, Pa., dragster, 6.987, 190.97
6) Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., dragster, 7.055, 187.86
7) Mark Brown, Lake Worth, Fla., dragster, 7.059, 188.81
8) Jason Hoff, Littlestown, Pa., dragster, 7.074, 187.52
9) Frank Altilio, Ocoee, Fla., dragster, 7.094, 189.90
10) Scott Giordano, Staten Island, N.Y., dragster, 7.126, 186.36
Reigning division Top Alcohol Dragster champ, Art Gallant has attended three out-of-division races but his best showing is a trip to the semifinals in Cecil, Ga. The Boxboro, Mass., racer won at VMP a year ago and also racked up wins at Atco (N.J.) Raceway and Old Bridge Twp. Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J. He also was runner-up at Lebanon Valley Dragway in West Lebanon, N.Y. Gallant is currently second in the point standings.
In Top Alcohol Funny Car, ace driver Frank Manzo has yet to attend a divisional race. But the Morganville, N.J., resident won here last year on his way to his 12th national championship and his 18th division title. On the division level last year, he went to six final rounds in seven races and scored five wins. Along with the win here, Manzo won at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.; Lebanon Valley Dragway; Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun, Md.; and in Englishtown. He was runner-up at an out-of-division race in Norwalk, Ohio.
NHRA Northeast division Lucas Oil Series racers will head to Maple Grove Raceway for the next event. The facility will play host May 22-24.
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