JOE SKOK RACKS UP THREE WINS IN ONE WEEK AT LANCASTER
Alcohol Funny Cars thrill fans in exciting match races
LANCASTER, NY – Joe Skok of Lancaster wrapped up quite a week on Friday night at Lancaster National Dragway. 
Skok took the win in McGard Mod ET on Friday for his third victory and fourth final round appearance in the past six days.
Skok’s hot streak started during last weekend’s Sunday Nostalgia event where he won Comp Eliminator on both Saturday on Sunday. He then advanced to the final round of a special Tuesday night Box/No-Box Shootout, but could not get his third win in a row. Skok’s “Head Knocker” Chevrolet Nova was back in a final round during Franco’s Pizza Friday Night Drag Racing as he defeated Eddie Semlitsch in the Mod ET finals for his third class victory in six days.
Mike Swinarski of Orchard Park, N.Y. scored his second win of the year in Top 8 Eliminator and his third win overall at Lancaster in 2018. He picked up the win after Wayne Cleveland triggered the red light in the finals. Swinarski was recently named to the 2018 class of the Lancaster National Dragway Wall of Fame. He’ll be inducted during the season awards banquet in November.
In Top ET, Paul Cochi of Amherst, N.Y. earned his first win of the season after a red light by his opponent, Dale Eckert. The only final round that wasn’t decided by a red light was Hebeler’s Sales Bikes & Sleds as Vic Puglia of Tonawanda, N.Y. scored his third win of the season. Puglia beat Patrick Vaughan despite Vaughan having nearly two second head start on the starting tree.
Tim Markle was going for his third win in a row in Tread City Tire Street, but Markle also fell victim to the dreaded red light. Markle left the starting line too soon, and handed the victory to defending track champion Mason Fix.
Friday was also Alcohol Funny Car Night at Lancaster featuring a pair of match races. Vince Rastelli faced off against Chris Zagoda while John Kwasniewski’s Pol-Cal Corvette took on the “Total Insanity” Chevrolet Monza Funny Car of Chris Massarella. Fans were treated to classic big, smoky Funny Car burnouts and the floppers trekked the 1/8-mile dragstrip in around four and a half seconds.
The Franco’s Pizza Friday Night Drag Racing program is back in action this Friday night, August 17, with a full card of racing plus the Buffalo Street Outlaws and TNT Super Series. Time trials start at 5 p.m.
About Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway: Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway, WNY’s Premier Motorsports and Event Facility, is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, N.Y. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag strip, a 1/2-mile oval track and hosts several non-motorsports events such as car shows and concerts. For the latest information on Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway check out our website www.lancasternationalspeedway.com. Additional information for racers and fans can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LancasterSpeedway) and on Twitter (@LancasterSpdwy).
RESULTS (Driver, hometown, vehicle, reaction time, dial-in, elapsed time and top speed)
Top 8 Eliminator
Winner: Mike Swinarski (Orchard Park, N.Y.) 2002 Chevrolet Camaro .513 5.28 5.281 seconds, 130.18 mph
Runner-up: Wayne Cleveland (Williamsville, N.Y.) 1923 Ford T-Bucket .497 FOUL
Top ET
Winner: Paul Cochi (Amherst, N.Y.) 1971 Dodge Demon .580 6.36 6.332 seconds, 108.13 mph
Runner-up: Dale Eckert (S. Wales, N.Y.) 1969 Chevrolet Camaro .492 FOUL
McGard Mod ET
Winner: Joe Skok (Lancaster, N.Y.) 1967 Chevrolet Nova .542 6.90 6.928 seconds, 97.37 mph
Runner-up: Ed Semlitsch (W. Seneca, N.Y.) 1963 Chevrolet Nova II .465 FOUL
Hebeler’s Sales Bikes & Sleds
Winner: Vic Puglia (Tonawanda, N.Y.) 2005 ZX10R .542 5.53 5.625 seconds, 112.74 mph
Runner-up: Patrick Vaughan (Tonawanda, N.Y.) 1981 Kawasaki GPZ 1100 .599 7.35 7.437 seconds, 95.54 mph
Tread City Tire Street ET
Winner: Mason Fix (Amherst, N.Y.) 1966 Plymouth Fury III .506 8.70 8.638 seconds, 79.39 mph
Runner-up: Tim Markle (Hilton, N.Y.) 1984 Pontiac Firebird .478 FOUL
