JOHN CERBONE RACES TO FIRST CAREER No. 1 AT HEARTLAND MOTORSPORTS PARK

TOPEKA, KS – John Cerbone, of Yorkton Heights, New York, blasted to the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown No. 1 qualifier position today at the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by Pet Armor. Cerbone drove his 2019 Chevrolet COPO Camaro, which flies the livery of Saw Mill Auto for car owners Robert and Danielle Falcone along with Ronnie Mayo, to the top spot for the first time in his Factory Stock career with an impressive 7.909 second, 164.13 mph pass during the second qualifying session. It is Cerbone’s first No. 1 qualifier of 2021 and his previous best starting position was fifth. He will face Jesse Alexandra in the first round and he is the fourth different driver to earn a No. 1 qualifier in the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown this season though five races.

“This is my first No. 1 in Factory Stock Showdown and I have to thank the Falcones, Ronnie Mayo and the Barton Racing team along with my wife Pattie,” said Cerbone. “I knocked the electrical out when I was crossing the finish line which is why my speed was down. I was just shoving it into neutral thank goodness so my ET was good. I have been racing the Constant Aviation Factory Stock Showdown class for a year and a half. I like everything about this class. I think the cars are great and the people are great. Every time you go up there you are racing someone that can beat you. You can lose to anyone in this class at any time.”

Friday night David Barton and Aaron Stanfield were the class of the field posting identical 7.934 second passes with Barton getting official provisional top honors on speed, 175.37 mph to 175.19 mph. Eighteen Factory Stock competitors were vying for the 16 spots in Sunday’s field.

Going into race day the $1,000 bounty will be on Denver winner and No. 11 qualifier Stephen Bell who will face David Janac in the first round. Since the inception of the bounty at the Houston SpringNationals earlier this season it has paid out every race with a different racer collecting the additional cash bonus. Competition will begin tomorrow at 11 a.m. CDT from Heartland Motorsports Park.