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Feb. 23-25, 2007

Gainesville, Div 2, Race #2

Sunday eliminations

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In the final eliminations from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series being held this weekend at Gainesville Raceway, Top Alcohol Dragster driver, Bill Evans and Top Alcohol Funny Car racer, Jay Payne scored wins in their respective classes.
Bill Evans of Miramar, Fla., started eliminations in the No. 4 position but was able to outrun the field in Top Alcohol Dragster with a final pass of 5.459 seconds at 250.69 mph. Evans beat John Finke of Selkirk, N.Y., who made a final run of 5.459 seconds at 265.17 mph.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Jay Payne of Claremont, Calif., took home the trophy with a time of 5.737 seconds at 253.59 mph to defeat Bob Newberry of Morriston, Fla., who ran 5.900 seconds at 253.44 mph.

Comp Eliminator racer, David Eaton of Merritt Island, Fla., made a final pass of 10.020 seconds at 84.12 mph to defeat Gary Merrick of Girard, Ohio.

Craig Marshall of Columbus, Ohio, driving a '98 Grand Am and making at pass of 10.027 seconds at 101.85 mph won in Super Stock. Marshall defeated Jeff Tripp of Jackson, N.J., who drove a '84 Monte Carlo.

In Stock Eliminator, Anthony Bertozzi of Ashland, Va., driving a '69 Camaro, ran 10.588 seconds at 121.72 mph to find the winner's circle over Ralph Porpora of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., who made a final run of 10.286 seconds at 129.25 mph.

In other categories, Jim Nash of Ooltewah, Tenn., ran 8.954 seconds at 153.97 mph to win in Super Comp and Steve Furr of Harrisburg, N.C., took home a trophy in Super Gas driving a '68 Camaro with a final pass of 9.914 seconds at 149.40 mph. Super Street driver, R.L. Koontz of Sarasota, Fla., finished on top driving a '92 Beretta defeating James Noel of Seneca, S.C., who drove his '07 Cobalt. In Top Sportsman, Jeffrey Barker of Warner-Robins, Ga., in a '02 Camaro, with a pass of 7.212 seconds at 189.71 mph took the win over Jerry Barker of Fort Valley, Ga. Top Dragster driver, Corky Markwart of Pinellas Park, Fla., made a final run of 7.639 seconds at 173.94 mph to defeat Peter Vicari of Morrero, La., who ran 7.031 seconds 186.87 mph.

The next stop for racers on the NHRA Southeast Division tour is Orlando Speed World Dragway, March 9-11. For more information about the event please call (407) 568-2717 or log on to http://www.SpeedworldDragway.com.

The following are Sunday's final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER:
Round 1
1) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.374, 258.84 def.
8) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., broke

2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.530, 260.04 def.
7) Cherissa Smallwood, Gainesville, Fla., 6.121, 208.42

3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.454, 264.00 def.
6) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.927, 246.10

4) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 5.454, 253.44 def.
5) Lindsey Wood, McAlpin, Fla., 5.897, 206.75

Semifinals
Finke, 5.444, 265.95 def. Thacker, 5.500, 260.49
Evans, 5.724, 250.13 def. Olivarez, 6.963, 156.38

Final
Evans, 5.459, 250.69 def. Finke, 5.459, 265.17

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR:
ROUND ONE
1) Bob Newberry, Morriston, Fla., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.681, 256.26 def.
8) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '04 Corvette, broke

2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.913, 245.76 def.
7) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., '00 Corvette, 6.389, 221.51

3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '07 Charger, 5.685, 252.24 def.
6) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 5.835, 245.43

4) Keeter Ray, Newport Bch, Calif., '99 Mustang, 5.887, 241.87 def.
5) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 5.926, 241.02

SEMI-FINALS
Newberry, 5.839, 252.66 def. Ray, 5.871, 242.91
Payne, 5.624, 247.11 def. Nothstein, 5.864, 250.48

FINAL
Payne, 5.737, 253.59 def. Newberry, 5.900, 253.44

COMP ELIMINATOR
David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 10.020, 84.12 def.
Gary Merrick, Girard, Ohio, dragster, C/ED, 7.651, 143.72

SUPER STOCK
Craig Marshall, Columbus, Ohio, '98 Grand Am, SS/CM, 10.027, 101.85 def.
Jeff Tripp, Jackson, N.J., '84 Monte Carlo, SS/AM, 8.933, 150.95

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, Va., '69 Camaro, A/SA, 10.588, 121.72 def.
Ralph Porpora, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., '69 Camaro, A/S, 10.286, 129.25

SUPER COMP
Jim Nash, Ooltewah, Tenn., dragster, 8.954, 153.97 def.
Billy Walker, Lawrenceville, Ga., dragster, 8.891, 156.30

SUPER GAS
Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., '68 Camaro, 9.914, 149.40 def.
Sherman Adcock Jr, Forston, Ga., '02 Trans Am, 9.922, 151.56

SUPER STREET
R.L. Koontz, Sarasota, Fla., '92 Beretta, 10.929, 141.11 def.
James Noel, Seneca, S.C., '78 Fairmont, 10.907, 129.19.

TOP SPORTSMAN
Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.212, 189.71 def.
Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '07 Cobalt, 6.947, 201.52

TOP DRAGSTER
Corky Markwart, Pinellas Park, Fla., dragster, 7.639, 173.94 def.
Peter Vicari, Morrero, La., dragster, 7.031, 186.87

Final qualifying

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Qualifying is complete and the field is set at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series being held this weekend at Gainesville Raceway. Olivarez and Newberry qualified in the top spots in Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny car fields.
Aaron Olivarez of Sandy, Utah, outran the field with a qualifying time of 5.299 seconds at 267.45 mph. Olivarez was able to clinch the top spot over Marty Thacker of Robinson, Ill., who made a pass of 5.466 seconds at 257.43 mph to gain the second position.

In Top Alcohol Funny Car, Bob Newberry of Morriston, Fla., ran the field qualifying first with a pass of 5.708 seconds at 254.81 mph. Jay Payne, of Claremont, Calif., ran 5.730 seconds at 254.02 mph to earn the number two position.

David Eaton of Merritt Island, Fla., made a pass of 6.754 seconds and -0.736 under the index to clinch the top qualifying spot in the Comp Eliminator category. Arnie Martel of Tewksbury, Mass., dropped to the second position with a qualifying time of 8.004 seconds and -0.706 under the index.

In Super Stock, Brian Oakes of Williamstown, N.J., drove a '69 Camaro, and made a pass of 9.206 seconds, to qualify in the top position, while Jay Higgins of Fayetteville, N.C., driving an '07 Cobalt qualified in second position.

In other categories today, Stock Eliminator driver, Gary Richard of Bay Shore, N.Y., made a pass of 10.245 seconds (-1.305 under index), clinching the top qualifying spot. Top Sportsman racer, Ronnie Davis of Suwanee, Ga., held on to the first position driving his '63 Corvette and making a pass of 6.633 seconds at 211.41 mph. Robert Davis of Boca Raton, Fla., qualified in the second spot with a pass of 6.738 seconds at, 210.72 mph. In Top Dragster, Eddie Careccia of Mars Hill, N.C., found the top qualifying position with a time of 6.245 seconds at 219.72 mph.

Racing continues on Sunday with gates opening at 8:00 a.m. and Eliminations starting at 9:00 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and children under 12 are free with a paid adult. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway at 352-377-0046 or log on to http://www.gainesvilleraceway.com.

The following are Saturday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER 1) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.299 seconds, 267.45 mph 2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.466, 257.43 3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.467, 264.55 4) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 5.581, 255.46 5) Lindsey Wood, McAlpin, Fla., 5.642, 197.54 6) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.712, 248.00 7) Cherissa Smallwood, Gainesville, Fla., 6.713, 147.90 8) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 9.484, 139.53

First round TAD pairings 1) Aaron Olivarez, Sandy, Utah, 5.299 seconds, 267.45 mph vs. 8) Robin Samsel, Marion, Ind., 9.484, 139.53 2) Marty Thacker, Robinson, Ill., 5.466, 257.43 vs. 7) Cherissa Smallwood, Gainesville, Fla., 6.713, 147.90 3) John Finke, Selkirk, N.Y., 5.467, 264.55 vs. 6) Artie Allen, Jacksonville, Fla., 5.712, 248.00 4) Bill Evans, Miramar, Fla., 5.581, 255.46 vs. 5) Lindsey Wood, McAlpin, Fla., 5.642, 197.54

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR 1) Bob Newberry, Morriston, Fla., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.708 seconds, 254.81 mph 2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.730, 254.02 3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '07 Charger, 5.740, 253.73 4) Keeter Ray, Newport Beach, Calif., '99 Mustang, 5.854, 241.80 5) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 6.129, 232.31 6) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 6.132, 200.35 7) Charles Gambino, Daytona Beach, Fla., '00 Corvette, 6.289, 225.05 8) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '04 Corvette, 6.373, 217.33

Not Qualified 9) Mike Bell, Fulton, Mo., '05 Monte Carlo, 9.211, 86.44 10) Bill Naves, Salisbury, N.C., '01 Avenger, 9.338, 97.91 11) Bobby Martindale, Glen Allen, Va., '96 Daytona, 11.557, 62.21

First round TAFC pairings 1) Bob Newberry, Morriston, Fla., '05 Monte Carlo, 5.708 seconds, 254.81 mph vs. 8) William Fulford, Virginia Beach, Va., '04 Corvette, 6.373, 217.33 2) Jay Payne, Claremont, Calif., '02 Camaro, 5.730, 254.02 vs. 7) Charles Gambino, Daytona Bch, Fla., '00 Corvette, 6.289, 225.05 3) Marty Nothstein, Orefield, Pa., '07 Charger, 5.740, 253.73 vs. 6) Mark Billington, Norcross, Ga., '01 Avenger, 6.132, 200.35 4) Keeter Ray, Newport Bch, Calif., '99 Mustang, 5.854, 241.80 vs. 5) Frank Schuster, Chesterfield, N.J., '02 Firebird, 6.129, 232.31

COMP ELIMINATOR 1) David Eaton, Merritt Island, Fla., '32 Bantam, A/AP, 6.754 seconds, -0.736 (under index) 2) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '06 GTO, F/AA, 8.004, -0.706 3) Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '04 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.053, -0.657 4) Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange, Tenn., '06 Sunfire, B/SM, 8.101, -0.639 5) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '04 Grand Am, F/A, 8.060, -0.630 6) Gary Merrick, Girard, Ohio, dragster, C/ED, 7.340, -0.590 7) Ernest Watson, Humble, Texas, '04 Cavalier, C/SM, 8.240, -0.560 8) Pam Miskovosky, Quakertown, Pa., dragster, C/DA, 7.115, -0.555 9) Lonnie Johnson, Ettrick, Va., '99 Neon, B/AA, 7.195, -0.535 10) Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '07 Cobalt, H/A, 8.879, -0.531

SUPER STOCK 1) Brian Oakes, Williamstown, N.J., '69 Camaro, SS/DA, 9.206 seconds, -1.294 (under index) 2) Jay Higgins, Fayetteville, N.C., '07 Cobalt, SS/BM, 8.416, -1.284 3) David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Corvette, SS/BA, 8.921, -1.279 4) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '07 Cobalt, SS/DM, 8.929, -1.271 5) Ray Vierheller, Barberton, Ohio, '92 Camaro, SS/BX, 9.580, -1.270 6) Rick Brewer, Jacksonville, Fla., '67 Corvette, SS/IA, 9.762, -1.238 7) Brandon Wilkinson, Bowling Green, Ky., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.772, -1.228 8) Bob Shaw, Sedalia, Mo., '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.827, -1.223 9) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '07 Cobalt, GT/AA, 9.182, -1.218 10) Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., '71 Corvette, SS/BA, 8.985, -1.215

STOCK ELIMINATOR 1) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.245 seconds, -1.305 (under index) 2) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, E/FIA, 11.418, -1.182 3) Jimbo Fields, Gallatin, Tenn., '86 Camaro, G/SA, 11.149, -1.151 4) Edmond Richardson, Greenbrier, Tenn., '02 Camaro, B/FIA, 10.549, -1.151 5) Jeff Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.550, -1.150 6) Jim Wahl, Deltona, Fla., '91 Spirit, BF/S, 13.804, -1.146 7) Jim Schaechter, St. Charles, Ill., '66 Nova, I/S, 11.356, -1.144 8) Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '83 Malibu, K/SA, 11.811, -1.139 9) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.568, -1.132 10) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, L/SA, 11.873, -1.127

TOP SPORTSMAN 1) Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.633 seconds, 211.41 mph 2) Robert Davis, Boca Raton, Fla., '63 Corvette, 6.738, 210.72 3) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.828, 203.11 4) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '07 Cobalt, 6.872, 203.48 5) Daniel Morrow, Bradenton, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.904, 200.49 6) Bob Maudell Jr., Cullacka, Tenn., '92 Cutlass, 6.920, 202.42 7) Fred Gallo, Shirley, N.Y., '03 Cavalier, 6.929, 200.62 8) Curt Steinbach, St. Petersburg, Fla., '63 Corvette, 6.976, 200.00 9) Jason Wood, Live Oak, Fla., '68 Camaro, 7.068, 194.00 10) Scott Davis, Pompano Beach, Fla., '97 Cutlass, 7.082, 195.10

TOP DRAGSTER 1) Eddie Careccia, Mars Hill, N.C., dragster, 6.245 seconds, 219.72 mph 2) Peter Vicari, Morrero, La., dragster, 6.710, 195.22 3) Henry Outhouse, Apopka, Fla., dragster, 6.784, 197.10 4) Jeffy Duke Jr, Ft Lauderdale, Fla., '00 Boz, 6.802, 196.42 5) Ken Wells, Orlando, Fla., dragster, 6.874, 191.40 6) Bill Empke, West Palm Beach, Fla., dragster, 6.903, 195.90 7) Charlie Culotto, Palm City, Fla., dragster, 6.908, 191.00 8) Randy Folk, Bradenton, Fla., dragster, 6.972, 196.63 9) Dan Seidel, Port St Lucie, Fla., dragster, 6.983, 192.14 10) Kurt Damron Jr., Fruitland Park, Fla., dragster, 7.018, 190.59

Friday qualifying

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series kicked off today at Gainesville Raceway. This is the second Southeast Divisional of the 2007 season. After the first round of qualifying, Top Sportsman racer, Ronnie Davis and Comp Eliminator driver, Arnie Martel both qualified in the top position.
Davis of Suwanee, Ga., ran a pass of 6.63 seconds at 211.41 mph to lead the field in Top Sportsman. Robert Davis qualified in the second position with a pass of 6.743 seconds at 210.72 mph.

In Comp Eliminator, Arnie Martel of Tewksbury, Mass., took his '06 Pontiac GTO for a pass of 8.004 seconds to qualify in the top position. Van Puckett of Monroe, Ga., found the second spot with a pass of 8.053 seconds.

Stock Eliminator driver, Gary Richard of Bay Shore, N.Y., qualified first with a pass of 10.245 seconds at 11.55 mph driving a '69 Camaro. John Livingston of Murfreesboro, Tenn., qualified second in his '90 Camaro.

In other Lucas Oil categories, Super Stock racer, Brian Oakes of Williamstown, N.J., drove a 69' Camaro qualifying in the first position with a time of 9.206 seconds. In Top Dragster, Eddie Careccia of Mars Hill, Fla., qualified in the top spot with a time of 6.245 seconds at 219.72 mph. Henry Outhouse of Apopka, Fla., qualified in the second spot in Top Dragster with a pass of 6.784 seconds at 197.10 mph.

Racing continues on Saturday with gates opening at 8:00 a.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and children under 12 are free with a paid adult. For more information please call Gainesville Raceway at 352-377-0046 or log on to http://www.gainesvilleraceway.com.

The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, Southeast Division event at Gainesville Raceway:

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '06 GTO, F/AA, 8.004 seconds, -0.706 (under index)
2) Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., '05 Cavalier, F/AA, 8.053, -0.657
3) Pat Ross, Avon Lake, Ohio, '05 Grand Am, F/A, 8.060, -0.630
4) Ernest Watson, Humble, Texas, '05 Cavalier, C/SM, 8.240, -0.560
5) Gary Merrick, Girard, Ohio, dragster, C/ED, 7.373, -0.557
6) Charles Watson, Humble, Texas, '07 Cobalt, H/A, 8.879, -0.531
7) Pam Miskovosky, Quakertown, Pa., dragster, C/DA, 7.159, -0.511
8) Joe Castaldo, Center Moriches, N.Y., '07 Cobalt, B/AA, 7.244, -0.486
9) Russell Joly, Weatherford, Texas, '07 Cobalt, F/AA, 8.241, -0.469
10) Danny Holt, Powell, Tenn., '05 Escort, F/AA, 8.253, -0.457

SUPER STOCK
1) Brian Oakes, Williamstown, N.J., '69 Camaro, SS/DA, 9.206 seconds, -1.294 (under index)
2) David Thomas, West Chester, Pa., '69 Corvette, SS/BA, 8.921, -1.279
3) Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '07 Cobalt, SS/DM, 8.929, -1.271
4) Rick Brewer, Jacksonville, Fla., '67 Corvette, SS/IA, 9.762, -1.238
5) Brandon Wilkinson, Bowling Green, Ky., '69 Corvette, SS/AA, 8.772, -1.228
6) Bob Shaw, Sedalia, Mo., '97 Firehawk, GT/MA, 10.827, -1.223
7) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '02 Firebird, GT/AA, 9.182, -1.218
8) Kenny Schindler, Hendersonville, Tenn., '71 Corvette, SS/BA, 8.985, -1.215
9) Don Barber, Hohenwald, Tenn., '05 Cavalier, GT/CA, 9.491, -1.209
10) Grant Lewis, Jesup, Ga., '67 Camaro, SS/DM, 9.005, -1.195

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Gary Richard, Bay Shore, N.Y., '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.245 seconds, -1.305 (under index)
2) John Livingston, Murfreesboro, Tenn., '90 Camaro, E/FIA, 11.418, -1.182
3) Jimbo Fields, Gallatin, Tenn., '86 Camaro, G/SA, 11.149, -1.151
4) Jeff Warren, Clinton, N.C., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.550, -1.150
5) Jim Wahl, Deltona, Fla., '91 Spirit, BF/S, 13.804, -1.146
6) Jim Schaechter, St. Charles, Ill., '66 Nova, I/S, 11.356, -1.144
7) Wayne Shaw, Douglasville, Ga., '83 Malibu, K/SA, 11.811, -1.139
8) Doug Patrick, Boca Raton, Fla., '72 Cutlass, L/SA, 11.873, -1.127
9) Woodro Josey, Byron, Ga., '98 Firebird, B/FIA, 10.585, -1.115
10) Victor Guilmino, Martinsburg, W.V., '71 Mustang, D/SA, 10.741, -1.109

TOP SPORTSMAN
1) Ronnie Davis, Suwanee, Ga., '63 Corvette, 6.633 seconds, 211.41 mph
2) Robert Davis, Boca Raton, Fla., '63 Corvette, 6.743, 210.72
3) Jerry Barker, Fort Valley, Ga., '07 Cobalt, 6.872, 203.48
4) Daniel Morrow, Bradenton, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.904, 200.49
5) Fred Gallo, Shirley, N.Y., '03 Cavalier, 6.929, 200.62
6) Bob Maudell Jr., Cullacka, Tenn., '92 Cutlass, 6.974, 202.42
7) Tommy Turner, Naples, Fla., '06 GTO, 6.997, 198.50
8) Jason Wood, Live Oak, Fla., '68 Camaro, 7.078, 193.59
9) Jeffrey Barker, Warner-Robins, Ga., '02 Camaro, 7.156, 191.97
10) Bruce Duncan, Crawfordville, Fla., '95 Camaro, 7.209, 189.87

TOP DRAGSTER
1) Eddie Careccia, Mars Hill, Fla., dragster, 6.245 seconds, 219.72 mph
2) Henry Outhouse, Apopka, Fla., dragster, 6.784, 197.10
3) Bill Empke, W Palm Beach, Fla., dragster, 6.903, 195.65
4) Charlie Culotto, Palm City, Fla., dragster, 6.908, 191.00
5) Ken Wells, Orlando, Fla., dragster, 6.941, 189.55
6) Dan Seidel, Port St Lucie, Fla., dragster, 6.983, 192.14
7) Peter Vicari, Morrero, La., dragster, 7.017, 190.35
8) Kurt Damron Jr., Fruitland Park, Fla., dragster, 7.018, 190.59
9) Steve Furr, Harrisburg, N.C., dragster, 7.141, 185.56
10) Charles Careccia, Mars Hill, N.C., dragster, 7.157, 186.68