LANCASTER NATIONAL DRAGWAY OPENS 2017 SEASON

Nowak, Bezinque, Peters & Raiser take class victories

LANCASTER, NY – Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway kicked off the 2017 season for its Franco’s Pizza IHRA Drag Racing Series with a large turnout of competitors.

Leading the list of winners was Mike Nowak of Lancaster in Top 8 Eliminator, Jason Bezinque of Amherst in Buffalo Street Outlaws Limited, Mike Peters of Angola, N.Y. in Hebeler’s Bikes & Sleds and DJ Raiser of Lancaster in Tread City Tire Street.

Nowak picked up the Top 8 victory over Mark Talmadge despite Talmadge having a one second advantage. The Buffalo Street Outlaws made their first visit to Lancaster as part of the opening day festivities. Jason Bezinque defeated Brian Prior in the heads up final.

The Hebeler’s Sales Bikes & Sleds final came down a pair of veterans in Mike Peters and Dick Nearhoof. Nearhoof broke out by less than a tenth of a second to hand Peters the win, which kicks off his class championship defense with a victory. Donny “DJ” Raiser cruised to the win in Tread City Tire Street over Mark Schifferle.

Mallare Enterprises Top ET and McGard Mod ET could not declare a winner due to the midnight curfew. Both classes were down to their final pairing with Pete Maduri, Jr. and Kevin Frank remaining in Top and Clay Ricketson and Joe Skok in Mod.

IHRA Drag Raicng resumes at Lancaster National Dragway on Friday, May 19 with Buffalo Street Outlaws Real Street and Unlimited Big Tire joining the four weekly classes of racing. Time trials start at 5 p.m.

About Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway: Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway and Dragway 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).
Top 8 Eliminator

Winner: Mike Nowak (Lancaster, N.Y.) 1967 Chevrolet Camaro .515 5.01 5.031 seconds, 138.04 mph

Runner-up: Mark Talmadge (Williamson, N.Y.) 1975 Chevrolet Vega .537 6.04 6.059 seconds, 111.11 mph
Buffalo Street Outlaws Limited

Winner: Jason Bezinque (Amherst, N.Y.) 2002 Chevrolet Camaro .526 5.533 seconds, 127.92 mph

Runner-up: Brian Prior (N. Tonawanda, N.Y.) 1984 Chevrolet Camaro .465 5.671 seconds, 123.92 mph
Hebeler’s Bikes & Sleds

Winner: Mike Peters (Angola, N.Y.) 1980 Kawasaki .507 5.54 5.548 seconds, 116.21 mph

Runner-up: Dick Nearhoof (Wheatfield, N.Y.) 1990 Kawasaki .558 5.95 5.944 seconds, 112.85 mph
Tread City Tire Street ET

Winner: DJ Raiser (Lancaster, N.Y.) Dodge Ram .656 11.12 11.066 seconds, 64.15 mph

Runner-up: Marc Schifferle (Lancaster, N.Y.) 1978 Oldsmobile 8.92 77.010 seconds