The Northeast Division romps at the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway |

Story by Phil Hutchison Photos by David Smith

After a less than stellar showing at the US Nationals, Division One racers descended on the Taj Mahal of dragstrips in Charlotte NC to claim nearly all the Sportsman titles

The finals of TA/FC featured two of the NED’s best

Winning his 98th NHRA National Event was defending Lucas World Champ Frank Manzo. Manzo out of Morganville NJ wheeled his Al Anabi Monte Carlo to a win over first time finalist John Anderika from Wyoming PA. Anderika gave it a ride in his bone white Monte Carlo but Manzo had the power winning with a 5.575 to Anderika’s 5.829

Bourke over Perry in the finals of T/AD

In Top Alcohol Dragster recent Cecil County LODRS winner Richard Bourke won his first ever NHRA National event beating the blown car of Ken Perry in the finals. Bourke got a gift of sorts as Perry left too soon in his dragster but Bourke’s 5.373 266.32 would have made quite a race of it as Bourke’s ETs throughout eliminations were better than the Canadian car of Perry.

A great Super Stock final under the lights in Charlotte

Super Stock went to former Dutch Classic winner Larry Miller behind the wheel of his 1970 SS/FA Barracuda. Miller defeated recent Cecil County champ Bryan Worner in his GT/EA Camaro after Miller had a killer 0.003 RT to Worner’s 0.036 reaction time. The better light for Miller translated to a breaking out 9.908 on a 9.92 dial for Worner to Miller’s 9.951 on a 9.95.

Fletch wins another title…this time in Stock with the K&N Camaro

Churchville NY Professional Sportsman racer Dan Fletcher took his K&N Filters F/SA Camaro to the Stock title defeating Larry Hill’s B/SA Barracuda in a double breakout final. Fletcher was the lesser transgressor and won his 79th NHRA event.

LaMar took his Super Comp dragster to his first ever NHRA win

Division Two saved a little face taking Super Comp with Florida driver Scott LaMar defeating long time racer Sherman Adcock in the finals. LaMar, winning his first ever Wally, cut a great 0.004 light and defeated Adcock’s 8.902 with a slower 8.903.

Ray Sawyer over Steve Furr in the finals of Super Gas

Finally it was Acton MA racer Ray Sawyer driving the family Sudden Impact 2002 Camaro to a win in Super Gas beating another traveling Sportsman Pro, Steve Furr’s ’68 Camaro with identical 9.912 ETs as the reaction time made the difference. Ray had a 0.004 while Furr was no slouch with a 0.007.