ASHLEY AND LINDBERG TAKE TOP HONORS; LINE, HEATH & FISCHER SCORE FIRST WINS IN BRAINERD

BRAINERD, MN – The Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series was in full effect as Justin Ashley, Johan Lindberg, Ben Line, Brian Heath, and Brian Fischer reeled in victories Sunday evening during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.

In their first matchup in eliminations Ashley, Plainview, N.Y., squared off against Gord Gingles of Winnipeg, M.B. in the Top Alcohol Dragster finale. Gingles emerged from the gate first, but his dragster succumbed to mechanical issues; Ashley swung around the Canadian driver for his second career national event Wally trophy. Ashley clocked in at 5.237 seconds, 268.60 mph to Gingles 12.344 seconds, 54.22 mph.

Lindberg, Upplands Vasby, SWE, brother of 2016 Top Alcohol Funny Car World Champion Jonnie Lindberg, took the starting line against Kris Hool, out Evansville, Wyo., in the final round of Top Alcohol Funny Car. After the launch, Hool had issues maintaining his car in the center of the lane; Lindberg was able to pass him for the win. Lindberg crossed the finish line at 5.489 seconds, 268.22 mph, Hool 5.575 seconds, 260.11 mph.

Local Stock Eliminator runner of International Falls and brother of 2016 Mello Yello Pro Stock Champion Jason Line, Ben Line, captured his first national event Wally, cutting a great light (.005 second reaction time), keeping fellow local driver Bill Feist of Maple Grove at bay. Line recorded a victory pass of 10.533 seconds, 118.45 mph.

Similar to Line, Brian Heath, Annetta, Texas made the most of his Top Sportsman Presented by Racing RV’s final round. The Texan cut a great light (.004 second reaction time) and scored his first national event victory; ousting Joseph Mohana, Bourg, La., in the process. Heath finished his run at 7.152 seconds, 185.41 mph. In the Top Dragster final Round Presented by Racing RV’s, local racer, Bob Fischer of Gibbon, came off the starting line hot and never let up taking his first national event Wally. Fischer upended fellow Minnesota driver Michael Kritzky of Saint Paul Park, at 7.403 seconds, 176.33 mph.

The other driver visiting the winner’s circle were Eric Bell in Super Stock; Trevor Larson in Super Comp; and Jim Davis of Super Gas.  Pro Stock Snowmobile was also in action with Glenn Hall taking the win over Scott Hagen.

The following are final results from the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway:

Top Alcohol Dragster

Justin Ashley, 5.237, 268.60 def. Gord Gingles, 12.344, 54.22.

Top Alcohol Funny Car

Johan Lindberg, Chevy Monte Carlo, 5.489, 268.22 def. Kris Hool, Chevy Camaro, 5.575, 260.11.

Super Stock

Eric Bell, Plymouth Barracuda, 9.301, 127.10 def. Darrell Dietz, Ford Mustang, Foul – Red Light.

Stock Eliminator

Ben Line, Ford Mustang, 10.533, 118.45 def. Bill Feist, Mustang, 10.101, 131.28.

Super Comp

Trevor Larson, Dragster, 8.891, 172.63 def. Jeremy Demers, Dragster, 8.886, 177.23.

Super Gas

Jim Davis, Chevy Camaro, 9.971, 157.83 def. Ken Griffiths, Chevy Corvette, 9.995, 148.58.

Top Dragster presented by RacingRVs.com

Bob Fischer, Dragster, 7.403, 176.33 def. Michael Kritzky, Dragster, 6.411, 212.36.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com

Brian Heath, Pontiac GTO, 7.152, 185.41 def. Joseph Mohana, Chevy BelAir, 6.841, 202.58.

Pro Stock Snowmobile

Glenn Hall, Arctic Cat, 8.186, 154.94 def. Scott Hagen, Ski Doo, 8.319, 155.29.