DIVISION 1
Atco Raceway
Atco, N.J., June 19-21, 2009 

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

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 Saturday

ATCO, N.J. (June 21, 2009) – Due to a soft mist at Atco Raceway and weather forecasts for heavier rain, race officials have decided to pull the plug on racing this weekend. This event in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series will be completed during the second scheduled LODRS event at Atco Raceway, Oct. 2-4

For more information please call Atco Raceway, (856) 768-2167, or visit www.AtcoRaceway.com.

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 Friday

Because of persistent rain at Atco Raceway, all racing has been cancelled for Saturday. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event will resume tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. The tentative schedule calls for racing to resume at 9:30 a.m. and continue tocompletion.

For more information please call Atco Raceway, (856) 768-2167, or visit www.AtcoRaceway.com.

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 Friday

ATCO, N.J. (June 19, 2009) – The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series takes over Atco Raceway this weekend for the third of seven events in Northeast division competition. Friday's qualifying and time trials are in the books with the No.1 spots going to Top Alcohol Dragster pilot John Finke of Selkirk N.Y, and Morganville N.J., resident Frank Manzo in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Finke, who picked up a national event win last weekend at Englishtown, blistered a 5.317 second, 275.79 mph pass to take the pole.  He currently sits atop the Northeast division leader board with one out-of-division win at Bradenton to start off the year.

Manzo is putting forth yet another strong season by leading the divisional and national points standings.  The Top Alcohol Funny Car legend ran a 5.544 second, 260.21 mph lap to grab the top seed after Friday's qualifying runs and a bye in the first round.

Other top qualifiers include Charlie Greco of Paoli PA, in Comp Eliminator; Brian Oakes, Williamstown NJ, in Super Stock; and Gene Monahan from Brockton, Mass., in Stock.

Racing continues Saturday, June 20 with gates opening at 7 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all three rounds of eliminations at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.  All classes will run at least one round of eliminations. Gates open Sunday at 7 a.m.  Eliminations continue at 9:30 a.m.

General Admission with a Pit Pass is $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday. 

Children 6 to 11 years old are $1 each day. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.

For more information please call Atco Raceway, (856) 768 2167, or visit www.AtcoRaceway.com.

The following are Friday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Northeast Division LODRS 1-3 at Atco Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.317 seconds, 275.79 mph
2) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.362, 263.77
3) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.528, 268.17
4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.559, 256.80
5) Darvin Martinets, Lake Jackson, Texas, 5.603, 251.95
6) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.671, 244.29
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.754, 219.72
8) Gene Arrigoni, Yorktown Hts, N.Y., 8.027, 122.30

First round TAD pairings
1) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.317 seconds, 275.79 mph vs.
8) Gene Arrigoni, Yorktown Hts, N.Y., 8.027, 122.30

2) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.362, 263.77 vs.
7) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.754, 219.72

3) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.528, 268.17 vs.
6) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.671, 244.29

4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.559, 256.80 vs.
5) Darvin Martinets, Lake Jackson, Texas, 5.603, 251.95

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.544 seconds, 260.21 mph
2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.629, 257.19
3) John Anderika, Pittson, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.689, 248.02
4) Jason McKnight, Barrie, Ont., '08 Impala, 5.741, 254.04
5) Scott McNiece, Brick, N.J., '08 Mustang, 5.807, 246.26
6) DJ Cox, Whiteford, Md., '02 Firebird, 6.525, 153.23
7) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '03 Corvette, 7.934, 161.15

First round TAFC pairings
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.544 seconds, 260.21 mph vs. Bye

2) Mickey Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.629, 257.19 vs.
7) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '03 Corvette, 7.934, 161.15

3) John Anderika, Pittson, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.689, 248.02 vs.
6) DJ Cox, Whiteford, Md., '02 Firebird, 6.525, 153.23

4) Jason McKnight, Barrie, Ont., '08 Impala, 5.741, 254.04 vs.
5) Scott McNiece, Brick, N.J., '08 Mustang, 5.807, 246.26

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Charlie Greco, Paoli, Pa., '06 GTO, D/AA, 7.573 seconds, -0.707 (under index)
2) Dave Yediny, Nazareth, Pa., '71 Opel GT, L/A, 8.825, -0.665
3) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., dragster, F/D, 8.000, -0.640
4) Allen Stanfield, Fredericksburg, Va., '98 Grand Am, H/SM, 8.912, -0.628
5) Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '08 Cobalt, C/EA, 8.009, -0.621
6) Vinny Barone, Dix Hills, N.Y., '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 7.788, -0.612
7) Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., dragster, G/D, 9.051, -0.589
8) Sal Biondo, Maspeth, N.Y., '93 Beretta, I/AA, 8.178, -0.582
9) Frank Aragona Jr., Freehold, N.J., '34 Bantam, G/EA, 8.303, -0.577
10) Pete Hanratty, Speonk, N.Y., dragster, A/DA, 6.579, -0.561

SUPER STOCK
1) Brian Oakes, Williamstown, N.J., '69 Camaro, SS/CA, 9.000 seconds, -1.350 (under index)
2) Russ Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 10.052, -1.248
3) John Armstrong, Kingston, N.S., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.775, -1.225
4) Joe Garbarine, Neptune, N.J., '05 Cavalier, GT/EA, 9.736, -1.214
5) Tom Boucher, Byfield, Mass., '97 Firehawk, GT/CA, 9.538, -1.162
6) Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.573, -1.127
7) Tom Sheehan, Belle Vernon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.380, -1.120
8) Jim Daniels, Yardley, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AH, 8.640, -1.110
9) Vic Santos, N. Reading, Pa., '85 Firebird, GT/HA, 10.241, -1.109
10) Bob Bagley, Fredricksburg, Va., '02 Camaro, GT/GA, 10.108, -1.092

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Gene Monahan, Brockton, Mass., '90 Formula, K/SA, 11.562 seconds, -1.388 (under index)
2) Joe Cokinos, Elmwood Park, N.J., '96 S-10, P/S, 12.283, -1.367
3) Jim Boudreau, Tewksbury, Mass., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.271, -1.279
4) Jeffrey Bardekoff, Commack, N.Y., '64 Fury, B/SA, 10.273, -1.277
5) Jack Matyas, Bethlehem, Pa., '00 Trans Am, B/SA, 10.282, -1.268
6) Gary Parker, Westfield, Mass., '75 Camaro, H/SA, 11.212, -1.238
7) Greg Rowe, Bridgeton, N.C., '89 Camaro, K/SA, 11.759, -1.191
8) Lenny Williams, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '71 Gran Sport, F/SA, 10.959, -1.191
9) Bill Hawk, Manassas, Va., '67 Shelby, B/SA, 10.361, -1.189
10) Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.576, -1.174

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 Preview

ATCO, N.J. -- Atco Raceway will host the first of two NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events scheduled at the facility, June 19-21, 2009.  The race is the third of seven on the NHRA Northeast division schedule and will feature drivers in eight categories, including 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car, vying for points leading to divisional and national championships.  Racers will close out the season at Atco Raceway in October.

Selkirk, N.Y., racer John Finke has the lead in the Top Alcohol Dragster points.  Finke got a jump in the point standings by starting the season at an out-of-division event in Bradenton, Fla., where he got the win.  He made his second final-round appearance at the division's last race, at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa., and came away with runner-up points.  The second place racer, Mike Kosky of Cuddy, Pa., is 85 points back.  Kosky was runner-up at an out-of-division race in Norwalk, Ohio, and went to the semis at Maple Grove Raceway.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, perennial Top Alcohol Funny Car champ Frank Manzo is leading the points.  The Morganville, N.J., racer is nearly 100 points ahead of No. 2 racer, Terry Munroe of Beaver, Pa.  Manzo started the year with two consecutive wins, at Virginia Motorsports Park in Petersburg, Va., and at the race in Norwalk, where he squared off against Munroe in the final to earn his 100^th divisional event win.  Manzo made a third final-round appearance in Maple Grove but came up short, earning runner-up points.  Munroe's best outing so far was the runner-up finish in Norwalk but he did go to the semis in an out-of-division race in Indianapolis.

The points battle in Super Gas has all the makings of a good old fashioned family rivalry.  Kingston, Ont., racers Al Kenny and his son Jason have been flip-flopping between first and second place.  Before the race in Maple Grove Al was leading the point standings and Jason was 25 points behind in second place.  However, coming out of Maple Grove, where Jason was runner-up and Al lost in the second round, Jason leads in the standings by 19 points.  They are also competing in the Super Comp class.  At this point, Al is in second place and Jason in No. 5 in the standings.

Gates at Atco Raceway open at 7 a.m. each day.  Qualifying and time trials start Friday at 9:30 a.m. and continue Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  Competitors in Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will qualify twice on Friday, at 2 and 5 p.m., and run all three rounds of eliminations on Saturday, at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.  All other classes will run at least one round of eliminations on Saturday and then continue on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. until the winners are crowned.

Tickets for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Atco Raceway are $20 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday.  A three-day ticket is $55.  Children 6 to 11 years old are $1 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Atco Raceway is located at 1000 Jackson Drive in Atco.  For more information call the track, (856) 768-2167, or visit www.AtcoRaceway.com.

NHRA Northeast division racers will continue the season July 3-5 in West Lebanon, N.Y.  Lebanon Valley Dragway will host the division's fourth race.

 

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event presented by Franklin Trailers, 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 third of seven in Northeast Division competition and the first of two slated for Atco Raceway.

WHERE: Atco Raceway, Atco, N.J.  Track is located at 1000 Jackson Drive, Atco, N.J.

WHEN:  Friday through Sunday, June 19-21, 2009

SCHEDULE: Qualifying and time trials schedule for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series:

FRIDAY, June 19 -- Gates open at 7 a.m.  Qualifying and time trials begin at 9:30 a.m. Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 2 and 5 p.m.

 

SATURDAY, June 20 -- Gates open at 7 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to noon.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car will run all three rounds of eliminations at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.  All classes will run at least one round of eliminations.

SUNDAY, June 21 -- Gates open at 7 a.m.  Eliminations continue at 9:30 a.m.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $20 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday.  A three-day pass is $55.  Children 6 to 11 years old are $1 each day. Kids 5 and under are admitted free.  For more information please call Atco Raceway, (856) 768-2167, or visit www.AtcoRaceway.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $168,025, as well as a chance at a share of the year-end purse of more than $560,000.

2008 EVENT  WINNERS: Arthur Gallant, Top Alcohol Dragster; Marc White, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Stephen Szupka, Comp Eliminator; Joseph Franco III, Super Stock; Don Pires Jr., Stock Eliminator; Jack Donnelly, Super Comp; Chris DePascale, Super Gas; Ed Wiley, 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 2009 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 2010 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 2010 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 2010 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

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