FLETCHER WINS 100TH NHRA NATIONAL EVENT

JOILET, IL – Many special moments were made this past weekend at Route 66 Raceway. Dan Fletcher and team celebrated in winner’s circle as Fletcher took home his 100th national event win. Mark McDonald took home national event wally trophies from both the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the JEGS ALLStars championship event.

Fletcher racing out of Churchville, N.Y. squared off against west coast rival Greg Ventura from Corona, Calif., in the Super Street final round. Ventura was a few ticks too quick on the tree and turned on the red light to giving Fletcher his 100th National event Wally. The New York driver recorded his victory lap at 11.681 seconds, 94.65 mph. He is only the third driver in NHRA history to win 100 National events, joining John Force (148) and Frank Manzo (105).

Mark McDonald, Boonville, Ind., captured his first national event win, downing Todd Ewing, Vinemont, Ala., in the Top Sportsman Presented by Racing RV’s final round. McDonald took the starting line advantage and out ran Ewing, coming in at 6.677 seconds, 195.79 mph. Ewing runner upped at 6.833 seconds, 192.66 mph. McDonald also captured the Top Sportsman crown in JEGS Allstars final round; outlasting J.J. Heber of Centennial, Colo., on Saturday.

McDonald was not the only driver to double up this weekend. Local Illinois racer Luke Bogacki of Carterville took home the Super Comp and Super Gas crowns. Bogacki (8.909 seconds, 169.32 mph) edged out fellow Illinois driver and 2016 Lucas Oil Super Comp champ Nick Folk (8.918 seconds, 168.81 mph) in the final round. In the Super Gas final round, Bogacki hit a perfect light 0.000,  9.930 seconds 149.10 mph and cruised to victory, upending Mike Sawyer, Leominister, Mass. Folk did take home the Super Comp championship in the JEGS Allstars national event.

Father and son battled in the final round of Super Stock, as Greg and Aaron Stanfield, Bossier City, La., met at the starting line. Aaron took the starting line advantage and never gave his dad the chance to get back into the race. Aaron recorded his victory lap at 9.909 seconds, 128.74 mph, Greg 9.059 seconds, 141.56 mph. Aaron also bested his father at the Thunder Valley Nationals last month.

Megan Meyer of Olathe, Kan., defeated 2016 Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster champion Joey Severance, Woodburn, Ore., for the first time in her career in the final round of TAD. Meyer took the lead and never gave Joey a chance, who had technical issues midway through race. Meyer finished at 5.427 seconds, 263.46 mph, Severance 5.798 seconds, 181.96 mph.

In a battle for Southern California bragging rights in Top Alcohol Funny Car, Sean Bellemeur, Placentia ran 5.528 seconds, 266.90 mph to defeat Shane Westerfield, Anaheim 6.095 seconds, 239.44 mph in the final round.

The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were David Rampy in Comp Eliminator; Brad Burton in Stock; and Zach Sackman in Top Dragster.

The following are Sunday’s final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, North Central event at Route 66 Raceway in Joilet:

Top Alcohol Dragster

Megan Meyer, 5.427, 263.46  def. Joey Severance, 5.798, 181.96.

Top Alcohol Funny Car

Sean Bellemeur, Chevy Camaro, 5.528, 266.90  def. Shane Westerfield, Camaro, 6.095, 239.44.

Competition Eliminator

David Rampy, Roadster, 7.741, 130.12  def. Brian Hyerstay, Dragster, Foul – Red Light.

Super Stock

Aaron Stanfield, Chevy Camaro, 9.809, 128.74  def. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 9.059, 141.56.

Stock Eliminator

Brad Burton, Pontiac Firebird, 10.412, 119.87  def. Justin Picillo, Dodge Challenger, 10.010, 126.93.

Super Comp

Luke Bogacki, Dragster, 8.909, 169.32  def. Nick Folk, Dragster, 8.918, 168.81.

Super Gas

Luke Bogacki, Chevy Corvette, 9.930, 149.10  def. Mike Sawyer, Chevy Cavalier, 9.890, 163.06.

Super Street

Dan Fletcher, Chevy Nova, 11.681, 94.65  def. Greg Ventura, Nova, Foul – Red Light.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com

Mark McDonald, Ford Mustang, 6.677, 195.79  def. Todd Ewing, Chevy Camaro, 6.833, 192.66.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com

Zach Sackman, Dragster, 6.206, 189.20  def. Shanna Snyder, Dragster, 6.262, 231.36.