Photos and Story by Phil Hutchison NHRA Division One Photographer

In semifinal action, Rich McPhillip’s (near lane)  5.513 over Richard Bourke’s 5.714 put him in the final against Mercier

After a day that included high winds and a hint of nasty weather that hit the surrounding areas, the racers and the NHRA dodged a bullet at the annual NED Lucas Oil Series Divisional.  What looked like a killer front coming in to squash any chances of completing Saturday’s schedule,  the Top Alcohol classes along with Competition Eliminator were completed with Sunday looking good with a forecast for mid 80’s and a slight chance of rain which around here can come up in a heartbeat. I am keeping my finger’s crossed!

Lourie was second off the line  but passed the upstart car of Wayne Morris to win his second in a row Lebanon Valley TA/FC title

Defending Alcohol Funny Car champ Eric Lourie driving his Camaro defeated the Mustang of Wayne Morris with a 5.731 to Morris’ 6.04. Morris got off the line first but Lourie had the power to pass Morris for the win. Earlier in eliminations Morris beat #2 qualifier Paul Gill and John Anderika to get to the finals. Lourie took out Todd Veney and DJ Cox on his side of the ladder to get his ticket to the finals.

Mercier wins his first for 2012 over the too quick off the blocks A/FD of McPhillips

Division 1 T/AD racing has been wild so far with three different winners in three races making it a wide-open affair for 2012. Richmond LODRS winner Duane Shields was not at Epping giving the rest of the NED racers a chance to make a move.

In conditions that were changing from round to round, Canadian racer Daniel Mercier’s team got the A/FD from A to B taking his first win for 2012

Making that move was former NED champ Dan Mercier in his COTE sponsored A/FD taking the win over a red lighting Rich McPhillips with a uncharacteristic -0.248 red light giving Mercier his first win for 2012.

It was two of the best in the finals of Comp as Greco ran just a tad better than Szupka to take the win.

Greco, whose L/AA Cavalier was running the numbers all day defeated the Aragona G/EA Bantam driven by Steve Szupka in a great final as Greco ran a 0.531 under8.779 to Steve’s close 0.515 under 8.175.

John Evans won Pro Stock Snowmobile during Friday’s action

The first rounds of all the remaining NHRA Sportsman were completed along with the final shots for Top Sportsman and Top Dragster.

Jim Blake’s sweet roadster won Best Appearing

In addition to the adults racing on the track, RFC had a “Horse Race” for the kids.

Eliminations continue tomorrow. Stay tuned for more coverage, as the Northeastdragreview.com crew will be there until the last car goes down the track.