BECK, RICCHEZZA, WARNER AND HOOKWAY WIN DIVISION, HEADING TO NATIONALS

ATCO, NJ – Shayne Beck, Matt Ricchezza, Faith Warner and Don Hookway each grabbed big wins at the NHRA Summit Racing Series Northeast Division Finals and will now head to Pomona, Calif., and the Summit National Championship. Racers from host track Atco Dragway racked up 60 points to take the Team Championship

Jim Larro, Vineland, N.J., had a near perfect .002 second reaction time on Beck out of Narvon, Pa., and Maple Grove Raceway but Beck was better at the top end in the Super Pro final to take the win in his ’99 dragster. Beck clocked in at 7.937 seconds, 157.23 mph to Larro’s 7.966 at 170.64.

In Pro ET it was Ricchezza out of the gate first with the holeshot on Chris Cassidy as Ricchezza crossed the strip ahead of Cassidy in his ’93 Mustang. Ricchezza’s 10.031, 130.76 took out Cassidy’s 10.091, 132.10 and his ‘86 Monte Carlo.

Warner and Hookway hoisted the NHRA Wally trophies in Street and Motorcycle respectively. Warner, running for Mason-Dixon Dragway, had a great .006 second reaction time then held on for the win over Jonathan Northrop of Numidia Dragway running 12.219, 101.65 to the quicker 11.608, 112.38.

Hookway went 9.585 at 144.75 on his victory lap went Barry Stephens Sr. turned on the red light by just .002 seconds. Hookway, Flanders, N.J., was running for Island Dragway as was Stephens from Lafayette, N.J.

In the High School competition it was Steve Dustin III, Westminster, Md., and Mason-Dixon Dragway upending Josephine Mallow, Beallsville, Md., and South Mountain Dragway. Dustin went 16.126 at 73.60 mph for the win over Mallow’s 13.225, 105.21.

Atco Dragway racers gathered up 60 points in the Team Championship and held off Maple Grove Raceway who finished second at 57 followed by Island Dragway and Lebanon Valley Dragway at 44 and 43.

In Friday’s Race of Champions competition Nelson Belot Jr. and Aaron Vittorini both won close final rounds in Pro and Motorcycle respectively. Rich Pennington, Barto, Pa., was out first on Belot, Dalton, Mass., but Belot chased him down for the win by just 5 inches running 9.048, 145.52 to Pennington’s 9.598, 140.96.

Austin Youndt, Stevens, Pa., took the early lead on Vittorini, Pennsville, N.J., only to watch Vittorini come by for the win in 8.804 seconds at 153 mph on his ZX 14 to Youndt’s 9.012, 143.75 on an ’05 Suzuki.

Ray Knight took the Race of Champions Super Pro trophy home to Fall River, Mass., and New England Dragway with a pass of 9.687 at 138.69 in his ’93 Mustang after Roger Lewis, Bunker Hill, W.V., fouled at the start.

In the Street ROC final Jonathan Gagnon, Pleasant Valley, Conn., was better at both ends of the track in beating out Ray Williams Jr. Gagnon running for Lebanon Valley Dragway clocked in at 12.026 on the 12.02 dial while Williams of Cecil County Dragway tripped the clocks at 11.905, 111.95 for his runner-up finish.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Summit Racing Series Northeast Division Finals at Atco Dragway:

SUPER PRO

Shayne Beck, Narvon, Pa., ’99 Precision, 7.937, 157.23 def. Jim Larro, Vineland, N.J., Grand Prix, 7.966, 170.64.

PRO ET

Matt Ricchezza, ’93 Mustang, 10.031, 130.76 def. Chris Cassidy, Ringoes, N.J., ’86 Monte Carlo, 10.091, 132.10.

SPORTSMAN

Faith Warner, Keymar, Md., Mustang, 12.219, 101.65 def. Jonathan Northrop, Perkasie, Pa., Camaro, 11.608, 112.38.

ET MOTORCYCLE

Don Hookway, Flanders, N.J., ’07 Hyabusa, 9.585, 144.75 def. Barry Stephens Sr., Lafayette, N.J.,

’85 Suzuki, foul.

HIGH SCHOOL

Steve Dustin III, Westminster, Md., Grand Am, 16.126, 73.60 def. Josephine Mallow, Beallsville, Md., ’94 Camaro, 13.225, 105.21

TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Atco Dragway                        60

Maple Grove Raceway          57

Island Dragway                      44

Lebanon Valley Dragway      43

Numidia Dragway                 41

Mason-Dixon Dragway         41

Cecil County Dragway          41

Alternates Team                     38

New England Dragway         37

Esta Safety Park                     27

South Mountain Dragway     18

Team Canada                         5

The following are Friday’s final results from the 2018 NHRA Summit Racing Series Northeast Division Race of Champions:

SUPER PRO

Ray Knight, Fall River, Mass., ’93 Ford Mustang, 9.687, 138.68 def. Roger Lewis, Bunker Hill, W.V., Chevelle, foul.

PRO ET

Nelson Belot Jr., Dalton, Mass., Cutlass, 9.048, 145.52 def. Rich Pennington, Barto, Pa., ’68 PLY, 9.598, 140.96.

STREET ET

Jonathan Gagnon, Pleasant Valley, Conn., Dart, 12.026, 109.04 def. Ray Williams Jr., Reistertown, Md., ’95 Camaro, 11.905, 111.95.

ET MOTORCYCLE

Aaron Vittorini, Pennsville, N.J., ZX14, 8.804, 153.00 def. Austin Youndt, Stevens, Pa., ’05 Suzuki, 9.012, 143.75.