DIVISION 1
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Sept. 11-13, 2009 

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

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Sunday

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (September 13, 2009) – Frank Manzo picked up his tenth win of the year in Top Alcohol Funny Car while John Finke picked up his third in Top Alcohol Dragster at this weekend's NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Manzo of Morganville, N.J., scored his fifth divisional win to go along with his five national event wins for a perfect season in scored events. The alcohol class racers count their best 5 of their first 8 events towards the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series National Championship. 

Manzo barely held on to beat former Olympic Gold Medalists Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., in the final round of a race that was as close as you can get. Manzo's ran 5.614 seconds at 260.71 mph to Nothstein's quicker 5.611 second, 253.28 mph pass out of the No. 3 qualifying position. Manzo's holeshot starting line advantage of three thousandths of a second proved to be the difference with the computer scoring margin of victory of less than an inch.

Finke ran consistent all day clocking off 5.20 and 5.30 second laps with a 5.368 second pass at 272.23 mph in the final round against Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., who ran 5.427, 262.95 mph. The Selkirk, N.Y., resident beat out Darvin Martinets and Dan Mercier on his way to the final.

In Comp Eliminator it was Brian Darcy denying Dan Fletcher of his 8^th win of the year in grabbing his first win of the year. Darcy, Newburgh, N.Y., had a great reaction time of 0.018 seconds and held on for the win at 187.68 mph in 6.817 seconds.

Justin Lowell, Kensington, N.H., won seven rounds on his way to the win in Stock Eliminator which marks the fifth different winner in the class this year. Rich Price of Royersford, Pa., also won seven rounds in taking the Super Comp trophy over Brian Martel.

Home state racers taking wins this weekend were Chris DePascale, Parlin, N.J., in Super Gas over Scott Albrecht and Rick Cooper, Sayreville, N.J., over William Nycz, Pilesgrove Twp., N.J., in Super Street. Brian Van Poppel also made his way to the winner's circle over Angelo DiTocco in Super Stock.

Northeast Division racers head to Atco Raceway for the next NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, Oct. 2-4, 2009.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
Round 1
8) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.400, 267.06 def.
10) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.466, 263.15

2) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.445, 255.15 def.
7) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.462, 261.02

4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.452, 255.92 def.
5) Brandon Greco, Roscoe, Pa., 5.489, 258.86

3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.284, 272.28 def.
6) Darvin Martinets, Lake Jackson, Texas, 5.548, 252.33

Semifinals
Nicholson, 5.412, 260.61 def. Gallant, 5.384, 268.06
Finke, 5.318, 275.39 def. Mercier, 5.336, 269.08

Final
Finke, 5.368, 272.23 def. Nicholson, 5.427, 262.95

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
Round 1
4) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '08 Mustang, 5.646, 255.53 def.
5) Dan Roman, Wolcott, Conn., '97 Firebird, 5.758, 249.90

3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '09 Impala, 5.834, 252.10 def.
6) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '02 Camaro, broke

2) Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.661, 255.05 def.
7) DJ Cox, Whiteford, Md., '02 Firebird, 6.169, 176.47

1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.609, 257.78 def.
8) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.877, 249.44

Semifinals
Nothstein, 5.681, 256.02 def. Munroe, 5.680, 254.28
Manzo, 5.639, 259.11 def. Gill, 5.649, 257.92

Final
Manzo, 5.614, 260.71 def. Nothstein, 5.611, 253.28

COMP ELIMINATOR
Brian Darcy, Newburgh, N.Y., dragster, A/ND, 6.817, 187.68 def.
Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '08 Cobalt, C/EA, 8.031, 161.09.

SUPER STOCK
Brian Van Poppel, Perry Hall, Md., '85 Camaro, SS/KA, 10.611, 124.91 def.
Angelo DiTocco, Mahopac, N.Y., '98 Firebird, SS/HA, 9.907, 129.24.

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Dustan Lowell, Kensington, N.H., '72 Duster, F/SA, 11.080, 113.28 def.
James Conte, Pearl River, N.Y., '69 Mustang, C/SA, 10.750, 122.77.

SUPER COMP
Rich Price, Royersford, Pa., dragster, 8.903, 172.32 def.
Brian Martel, Mercersburg, Md., dragster, 8.917, 165.31.

SUPER GAS
Chris DePascale, Parlin, N.J., '04 Corvette, 9.943, 156.23 def.
Scott Albrecht, Jackson, N.J., '00 Corvette, 9.942, 151.10.

SUPER STREET
Rick Cooper, Sayreville, N.J., '87 Trans Am, 10.888, 142.34 def.
William Nycz, Pilesgrove Twp., N.J., '70 Dart, 10.843, 125.78.

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Saturday

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (September 12, 2009) – Mike Kosky and Frank Manzo lead their classes this weekend for the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., clicked off a 5.294 second run at 268.87 mph in Top Alcohol Dragster for his second pole position of the year.  Dan Mercier and Jon Finke sit second and third respectively behind Kosky with Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, running 5.349, 266.37 and Finke, Selkirk, N.Y. at 5.378, 270.54.

Manzo, who already has ten wins to his credit this year in defending his national and divisional championships from a year ago, jumped to the top of the Top Alcohol Funny Car field with a lap of 5.582 seconds, 259.81 mph.  The Morganville, N.J., racer is followed by Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., running 5.639 seconds at 257.43 mph.  Manzo will face off against Dan Pomponio of Berlin, N.J., in round one of eliminations on Sunday.

Local runner Russ Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., just missed the No. 1 spot in Super Stock by less than three-hundredths of a second in his '73 Corvette as Bo Kenney, Manassas, Va., grabbed the top spot.   Jeffrey Bardekoff and Stephen Szupka round out Saturday's leaders.  Bardekoff, Commack, N.Y., is No. 1 in Stock Eliminator and Willow Grove, Pa., resident Szupka is out front in the Comp field.

Racing continues Sunday at Raceway Park.  Gates open at 8 a.m. with eliminations at 10 a.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car round one will begin at noon.  Tickets are $20 for adults, children 6-11 are $5 and kids 5 and under are free.  For more information, call Raceway Park (732) 446-7800 or visit www.RacewayPark.com

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results and Sunday's first-round pairings for TAD and TAFC at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
1) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.294 seconds, 268.87 mph
2) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.349, 266.37
3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.378, 270.54
4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.418, 258.96
5) Brandon Greco, Roscoe, Pa., 5.446, 260.26
6) Darvin Martinets, Lake Jackson, Texas, 5.532, 256.84
7) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.542, 262.95
8) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.564, 266.37
Not Qualified
9) Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.632, 250.13
10) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.711, 259.61
11) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 6.276, 192.22
12) Tom Pickett, Salem, N.H., 6.479, 162.12

First round TAD pairings
1) Mike Kosky, Cuddy, Pa., 5.294 seconds, 268.87 mph vs.
 8) Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.564, 266.37

2) Dan Mercier, Montreal, Quebec, 5.349, 266.37 vs.
7) Richard Bourke, Old Tappan, N.J., 5.542, 262.95

3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.378, 270.54 vs.
6) Darvin Martinets, Lake Jackson, Texas, 5.532, 256.84

4) Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo, Calif., 5.418, 258.96 vs.
5) Brandon Greco, Roscoe, Pa., 5.446, 260.26

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.582 seconds, 259.81 mph
2) Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.639, 257.43
3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '09 Impala, 5.664, 255.10
4) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '08 Mustang, 5.681, 253.95
5) Dan Roman, Wolcott, Conn., '97 Firebird, 5.685, 251.81
6) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.740, 250.97
7) DJ Cox, Whiteford, Md., '02 Firebird, 5.743, 247.88
8) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.747, 252.66
Not Qualified
9) John Anderika, Pittson, Pa., '02 Camaro, 5.780, 250.27
10) Scott McNiece, Brick, N.J., '08 Mustang, 5.802, 244.52
11) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.808, 255.58
12) Wayne Morris, Lincoln Univ, Pa., '09 Mustang, 5.828, 242.54
13) Marc White, Glendale Hts., Ill., '08 Mustang, 5.961, 251.11
14) John Fiorini, Dalton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 6.032, 246.80
15) Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '01 Avenger, 9.882, 125.01

First round TAFC pairings
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '06 Monte Carlo, 5.582 seconds, 259.81 mph vs.
8) Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., '08 Monte Carlo, 5.747, 252.66

2) Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.639, 257.43 vs.
7) DJ Cox, Whiteford, Md., '02 Firebird, 5.743, 247.88

3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '09 Impala, 5.664, 255.10 vs.
6) Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '02 Camaro, 5.740, 250.97

4) Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '08 Mustang, 5.681, 253.95 vs.
5) Dan Roman, Wolcott, Conn., '97 Firebird, 5.685, 251.81

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Stephen Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., dragster, F/ED, 8.065 seconds, -0.765 (under index)
2) Dave Yediny, Nazareth, Pa., '71 Opel GT, L/A, 8.837, -0.653
3) Charlie Greco, Paoli, Pa., '06 GTO, D/AA, 7.621, -0.629
4) Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., dragster, F/D, 8.014, -0.626
5) Vinny Barone, Dix Hills, N.Y., '34 Chevrolet, A/SR, 7.776, -0.624
6) Joe Carnasciale, Cranston, R.I., '92 Camaro, I/SM, 9.046, -0.624
7) Dan Fletcher, Churchville, N.Y., '08 Cobalt, C/EA, 8.017, -0.613
8) Frank Aragona Jr., Freehold, N.J., '32 Bantam, G/EA, 8.269, -0.581
9) Fred Gallo, Shirley, N.Y., '08 Cobalt, A/AA, 6.570, -0.580
10) Kevin Robb, Denver, Pa., dragster, D/DA, 7.365, -0.555

SUPER STOCK
1) Bo Kenney, Manassas, Va., '08 Cobalt, GT/BA, 9.219 seconds, -1.331 (under index)
2) Russ Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '73 Corvette, SS/JA, 9.992, -1.308
3) Tom Sheehan, Belle Vernon, Pa., '00 Sebring, GT/IA, 10.250, -1.250
4) Joseph Franco III, N. Babylon, N.Y., '85 Camaro, GT/HA, 10.135, -1.215
5) Vito Savino, Brewster, N.Y., '05 Cavalier, GT/FA, 9.891, -1.209
6) David Barton, Robesonia, Pa., '68 Barracuda, SS/AH, 8.542, -1.208
7) Byron Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '96 Camaro, SS/IA, 9.813, -1.187
8) Norm Hall, Waldorf, Md., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.525, -1.175
9) Kent Hanley, Newtown, Conn., '94 Cavalier, GT/BA, 9.380, -1.170
10) Jim Daniels, Yardley, Pa., '68 Dart, SS/AH, 8.593, -1.157

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Jeffrey Bardekoff, Commack, N.Y., '64 Fury, B/SA, 10.298 seconds, -1.252 (under index)
2) Joe Cokinos, Elmwood Park, N.J., '96 S-10, P/S, 12.406, -1.244
3) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, C/SA, 10.484, -1.216
4) Mike Moyer, Sandston, Va., '78 Firebird, J/SA, 11.558, -1.192
5) Steve Szupka, Willow Grove, Pa., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.567, -1.183
6) David Ficacci, Whippany, N.J., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.124, -1.176
7) John Shaul, Fultonham, N.Y., '64 Fury, A/SA, 10.125, -1.175
8) Jeanne Linke, Old Bridge, N.J., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.790, -1.160
9) Shane Oakes, Pipersville, Pa., '86 Camaro, G/SA, 11.141, -1.159
10) Jack Matyas, Bethlehem, Pa., '00 Trans Am, B/SA, 10.392, -1.158

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Friday

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. (September, 11, 1009) – Persistent rain through out the morning and into the afternoon have forced officials to cancel the racing action for the opening day of the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.  The event is the sixth of seven in the NHRA Northeast Division with drivers earning points toward both national and divisional championships.

Racing will pick up on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the series' premier classes, Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, scheduled to qualify at 3 and 7 p.m.  Eliminations are slated for Sunday.  Tickets are $20 Saturday or Sunday with children 6 -11 just $5 each day and kids 5 and under are free.

Division point's leaders John Finke, alcohol dragster, and Frank Manzo, alcohol funny car, hope to pick up where they left off at Raceway Park back in June at the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series where they both won their class and took home the trophy.  Manzo is also the defending event champion for this weekend, beating Wayne Morris in last years final round match up.

 For more information, call Raceway Park, (732) 446-7800 or visit www.RacewayPark.com.

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Preview

ENGLISHTOWN, N.J. -- Old Bridge Twp. Raceway Park (Raceway Park) will host the NHRA Northeast division Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Sept. 11-13, 2009.  The race is the sixth of seven on the division's calendar 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.

Gates at Raceway Park open at 8 a.m. each day.  Qualifying and time trials start Friday at 10 a.m. and continue Saturday at 10 a.m.  Competitors in Comp Eliminator will have one qualifying run on Friday, at 5 p.m., and one on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car competitors will qualify on Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m.  Eliminations start Sunday at 10 a.m.  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 Raceway Park are $15 Friday, $20 Saturday and $20 Sunday.  Children 6 to 11 years old are $5 each day and kids 5 and under are admitted free.

Raceway Park is located at 230 Pension Road in Englishtown. Take exit 9 off the New Jersey Turnpike to Route 18.  Go south to Englishtown exit, Route 527, and proceed to Pension Road.  Go left and Old Bridge Township Raceway Park is a quarter-mile on the left.  For more information call the track, (732) 446-7800, or visit www.RacewayPark.com.

 

NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SERIES: Fact Sheet

WHAT: NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, 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 sixth of seven in Northeast Division competition. 

WHERE: Old Bridge Twp. Raceway Park, Englishtown, New Jersey.  Track is located at 230 Pension Road in Englishtown. Take exit 9 off the New Jersey Turnpike to Route 18.  Go south to Englishtown exit, Route 527, and proceed to Pension Road.  Go left and Old Bridge Township Raceway Park is a quarter-mile on the left.

WHEN:  Friday through Sunday, September 11-13, 2009

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

FRIDAY, Sept. 11 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m. Qualifying in Comp Eliminator is at 5 p.m.

 

SATURDAY, Sept. 12 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Final qualifying and time trials begin at 10 a.m.  Comp Eliminator qualifying is at noon and 2:30 p.m.  Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car qualifying sessions are scheduled at 3 and 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, Sept. 13 -- Gates open at 8 a.m.  Eliminations begin at 10 a.m.  Eliminations for Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol Funny Car begin at noon.

TICKETS: GENERAL ADMISSION/PIT PASS -- $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $20 Sunday.  Children 6 to 11 years old are $5 each day.  Kids 5 and under are admitted free.  For more information please call Raceway Park, (732) 446-7800, or visit www.RacewayPark.com.

PURSE: The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors will vie for cash and contingency awards of $174,025, 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; Frank Manzo, Top Alcohol Funny Car; Frank Aragona, Comp Eliminator; Gary Richard, Super Stock; Ken Kopecky, Stock Eliminator; Scott Albrecht, Super Comp; Mike Sawyer, Super Gas; Martin Ganjoin, 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 $119,000 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 as well as Top Sportsman and Top Dragster.  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.  Winners in Top Sportsman and Top Dragster will each earn $5,000.  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 2010 Jegs Allstars champion who also wins the national event will have his/her Allstars prize doubled.

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