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Sept 2-7, 2009

Mac Tools Us Nationals presented by Lucas Oil

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing

Clermont Ind.

Pro results are here

 

Sportsman coverage is on this page

Monday Sportsman wrap up

CLERMONT, Ind. --

David Smith photos

Sportsman gallery is here

Pro gallery is here

The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, The Big Go, is arguably the most prestigious race on NHRA's calendar. For seven Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors the dream of a win at "Indy" came true this weekend.
Top Alcohol Dragster racer Ken Perry won just the second national event of his career when he ousted Michael Manners of Willis, Texas, in the final round. Perry earned the win on a hole-shot, running 5.404 seconds at 260.66 mph to Manners's 5.402-second, 262.49 mph pass. The Richmond Hill, Ont., resident's last national event win came in Joliet, Ill., in 2005.

Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls, Pa., scored the win in Top Alcohol Funny Car. Martin qualified in the No. 8 spot and in the final he beat No. 2 qualifier Steve Harker of Gainesville, Ga. Martin laid down a 5.670-second, 254.18 mph run to Harker's 6.187-seocnd, 166.60 mph effort.

In Comp Eliminator, David Rampy won The Big Go for the fourth time, when he knocked out Joey Tanksley of Greenwell Springs, La. Larry Stewart Jr., Clinton, Miss., beat Bettendorf, Iowa's Michael Lund in the Super Stock final, and the Stock Eliminator win went to Gary Waldo, Hillsboro, Ore., when he jettisoned Michael Iacono of Wading River, N.Y. Edmond Richardson, who before the U.S. Nationals had 44 national event wins to his credit, scored just his first at Indy. The Greenbriar, Tenn., resident took out Franklin Di Bartolo in the Super Comp final. Reigning Super Gas national champion, Brian Forrester, Parrish, Fla., grabbed the win over Craig Anderson of Waxahachie, Texas

 

Final round results

Top Alcohol Dragster -- Ken Perry, 5.404, 260.66 def. Michael Manners, 5.402, 262.49.

Ken Perry in the MBR hemi power BAD won his first ever TAD national event title and he did it in fine fashion. He took out some of the toughest A/Fuel cars in the country including reigning world champion Bill Reichert. He also got by Brittany Force, Dune Shields (margin in that one was .008). The final round was against Michael Manners, the quickest driver this year in the class. It was a holeshot win for Perry, and the margin was .020. It was a big win for the Canadian as he helps slightly another Canadian chasing the championship. Shawn Cowie opted out of this event and he could only sit and watch the drama unfold. He still fell further back of Reichert and semi finalist Jim Whiteley but it could have been worse. The championship will likely not play out until Ls Vegas as Whitely and Cowie as well as 4th place Shields will be running the back to back events there.

Top Alcohol Funny Car -- Bobby Martin, Dodge Charger, 5.670, 254.18 def. Steve Harker, Chevy Monte Carlo, 6.187, 166.60.

Harker did what he wanted to do at this event and that was defeat Frank Manzo in a head to head match-up. As you can see by the picture above he was well out in front of Martin until his motor went away and he could only watch Martin get his biggest win ever. I still predict that Harker will be the number 2 guy when the season is complete as he is averaging over 65 points a race and still has two Divisionals to claim points at before he starts to throw away events.

Competition Eliminator -- David Rampy, Bantam Roadster, 7.297, 178.19 def. Joey Tanksley, Dragster, 6.844, 194.52.

Super Stock -- Larry Stewart Jr., Chevy Nova, 9.926, 128.85 def. Michael Lund, Pontiac Firebird, 10.043, 117.00.

Stock Eliminator -- Gary Waldo, Chevy Nova, 11.261, 116.68 def. Michael Iacono, Nova, 11.694, 99.70.

Super Comp -- Edmond Richardson, Dragster, 8.902, 161.21 def. Franklin Di Bartolomeo, Dragster, 8.897, 168.24.

Super Gas -- Brian Forrester, Chevy Corvette, 9.929, 155.08 def. Craig Anderson, Corvette, 9.883, 148.10.

TAFC Final qualifying

1 8 Bobby Martin, Beaver Falls PA, '09 Charger 5.570 259.16 259.16
2 2 Steve Harker, Gainesville GA, '06 Monte Carlo 5.580 258.62 258.62
3 1 Frank Manzo, Morganville NJ, '06 Monte Carlo 5.581 259.96 259.96
4 6 Mick Snyder, Demotte IN, '09 Mustang 5.586 259.21 259.21
5 457 Tony Bartone, Long Island City NY, '09 Mustang 5.608 257.04 257.04
6 9 Mickey Ferro, Stamford CT, '09 Monte Carlo 5.608 255.00 255.00
7 4 Roger Bateman, Winnipeg MB, '08 Mustang 5.620 254.86 256.99
8 301 Fred Hagen Jr., Des Plaines IL, '09 Mustang 5.622 258.52 258.52
9 710D Alexis De Joria, Bronson FL, '09 Mustang 5.633 257.92 257.92
10 43 Steve Burck, Corpus Christi TX, '02 Camaro 5.657 251.81 251.81
11 35 John Bojec, Chardon OH, '09 Monte Carlo 5.658 247.75 247.75
12 502 Chris Foster, Davenport IA, '07 Monte Carlo 5.661 252.71 252.71
13 551 Vern Moats, Des Moines IA, '09 Mustang 5.687 253.14 253.14
14 153 Jason McKnight, Barrie ON, '08 Impala 5.707 256.11 256.11
15 305 Jeff Burnett, Brownsburg IN, '08 Mustang 5.715 243.06 243.06
16 6843 Ken Webster, Red Deer AB, '09 Monte Carlo 5.716 251.20 253.61

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 326 Brian Harvanek, Cheswick PA, '02 Camaro 5.720 250.18 250.18
18 357 Tim Stevens, Dorr MI, '06 Stratus 5.783 247.11 247.11
19 348 John Hart, Hicksville OH, '09 Charger 5.783 246.39 246.39
20 193 Larry Dobbs, Welland ON, '01 Corvette 5.884 242.89 242.89
21 3541 Kevin Newburgh, Rock Falls IL, '06 Avenger 5.891 247.47 247.47
22 39 Wayne Butler, Forest City IL, '03 Firebird 6.163 182.18 182.18
23 317 Steve Franke, Indianapolis IN, '97 Lumina 6.234 232.95 232.95
24 3377 Rick Cortino, Wheaton IL, '97 Firebird 6.288 213.77 225.03

TAD Final qualifying

1 2 B/AD Jim Whiteley, Grand Junction CO, Nielson 5.268 271.08 271.08
2 1 A/FD Bill Reichert, Owosso MI, Bowen-Reich 5.276 267.69 267.69
3 394 A/FD Mike Lewis, Indianapolis IN, McKinney-TFX 5.276 262.08 262.08
4 465 A/FD Michael Manners, Willis TX, Spitzer-CRE 5.310 260.66 265.06
5 440 B/AD Kate Harker, Gainesville GA, Meyer-BAE 5.318 270.70 270.70
6 5 A/FD Duane Shields, Boulder City NV, Hadman-B 5.334 269.73 269.73
7 33 B/AD Ken Perry, Richmond Hill ON, Hadman-Font 5.355 263.62 264.70
8 3 B/AD Marty Thacker, Robinson IL, Spitzer-TFX 5.362 268.22 268.22
9 24 A/FD Robin Samsel, Marion IN, Canode-BAE 5.379 254.42 259.41
10 745 A/FD Brittany Force, Yorba Linda CA, McKinney 5.382 263.87 263.87
11 72 B/AD Chris Demke, Sunland CA, Uyehara-BAE 5.384 263.20 263.20
12 34 B/AD Noah Condo, Monticello IN, Uyehara-TFX 5.394 264.91 271.13
13 36 A/FD Dave Hirata, Lowell IN, McKinney-TFX 5.401 262.08 262.08
14 744 A/FD Courtney Force, Yorba Linda CA, McKinney 5.402 265.06 265.06
15 110 A/FD Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville PA, Hadman 5.413 256.60 256.60
16 7051 B/AD Darren Nicholson, Mission Viejo CA, Yanc 5.424 260.76 260.76

------------ Not Qualified ------------

17 37 A/FD Tim Bowgren, Valparaiso IN, Hadman-TFX 5.466 254.66 254.66
18 552 A/FD Tommy Johnson Jr., Avon IN, Spitzer-BAE 5.472 235.02 249.58
19 7000 A/FD Darryl Hitchman, Celeste TX, Swinura-BAE 5.498 266.85 266.85
20 358 B/AD Dave Weber, N. Ridgeville OH, Canode-AJ 5.501 260.26 260.26
21 55 A/FD Jared Dreher, Clinton IN, McKinney-BAE 5.520 256.89 256.89
22 47 A/FD Malcolm Wahle, Claremore OK, Monden-BAE 5.520 244.47 244.47
23 323 B/AD Brandon Booher, Tolono IL, Spitzer-BAE 5.543 253.95 253.95
24 6715 A/FD Doug Hegge, Vancouver WA, Sarmento-Reic 5.545 258.67 258.67
25 466 B/AD Diana Harker, Gainesville GA, Spitzer-BAE 5.626 240.34 249.86
26 3662 B/AD Brian Mans, Godfrey IL, Spitzer-BAE 5.939 247.16 247.16
27 7388 A/FD Art Trautman, Wadell AZ, Hadman-KB 5.988 209.23 211.43

(including Hemi shootout)

Comp final qualifying

1 146 L/A Dave Yediny, Nazareth PA, '71 Opel GT 8.728 9.49 -0.762
2 5578 BB/AT Larry Larson, Oak Grove MO, '07 Mustang 6.522 7.27 -0.748
3 3640 CC/AT Richard Barga, Sidney OH, '09 Accord 7.072 7.77 -0.698
4 2000 D/AA Lee Sharp, Maryville TN, '09 GXP 7.593 8.25 -0.657
5 5296 E/D Pat Nahan, St. Cloud MN, N&P-Ford 7.464 8.12 -0.656
6 590 K/A Clint Neff, Arvada CO, '27-T Ford 7.836 8.49 -0.654
7 44 C/D Joey Tanksley, Greenwell Spgs LA, ChasCrft 6.799 7.45 -0.651
8 8 D/AA Arnie Martel, Tewksbury MA, '07 GTO 7.602 8.25 -0.648
9 14 D/AA Charlie Greco, Paoli PA, '06 GTO 7.605 8.25 -0.645
10 5250 E/A Todd Patterson, Augusta KS, '08 Cobalt 7.689 8.32 -0.631
11 45 C/SMA Adam Hickey, Hammond LA, '06 Cobalt 8.160 8.79 -0.630
12 211 G/ED Glen Treadwell, Sorrento FL, Dragster-Chevy 7.935 8.56 -0.625
13 6157 A/AA Todd Hoerner, Deer Park WA, '09 GXP 6.537 7.15 -0.613
14 2885 A/EA David Rampy, Piedmont AL, '32 Bantam 7.247 7.86 -0.613
15 23 B/SM Larry Pritchett, Clarkrange TN, '06 Sunfire 8.072 8.68 -0.608
16 58 E/A Matthew Harris, Nebraska City NE, '05 Gran 7.714 8.32 -0.606
17 5248 C/TA Shaun Vincent, Omaha NE, '02 S-10 8.528 9.13 -0.602
18 75 A/AP Alan Ellis, Mapleton UT, '23-T Ford 6.660 7.26 -0.600
19 31 G/EA Jason Coan, Greentown IN, '32 Bantam 8.280 8.88 -0.600
20 9 F/D Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook NJ, ProStart-Che 8.041 8.64 -0.599
21 1 C/EA Dan Fletcher, Churchville NY, '08 Cobalt 8.033 8.63 -0.597
22 368 C/SR Fred Allen, Mary Esther FL, '34 Chevy 8.524 9.12 -0.596
23 3483 B/AA Nick Panagiotaros, Elburn IL, '00 Neon 7.035 7.63 -0.595
24 5019 B/AA Paul Pittman, Bloomington MN, '07 Cobalt 7.038 7.63 -0.592
25 357 B/TA Rick Brown, Lebanon OH, '00 S-10 8.255 8.84 -0.585
26 12 G/EA Frank Aragona Jr., Freehold NJ, '32 Bantam 8.304 8.88 -0.576
27 34 A/ED Robert Bailey, Wabash IN, Agan-Olds 6.625 7.20 -0.575
28 469 B/SM Clark Smiley, Denver City TX, '05 Cavalier 8.105 8.68 -0.575
29 730G B/A Shane Gray, Artesia NM, '06 Stratus 6.991 7.56 -0.569
30 610 C/AA John Edwards, Claremont CA, '99 Neon 7.422 7.99 -0.568
31 3718 D/ED Terry Smith, Williamstown WV, Advance-Chevy 7.373 7.94 -0.567
32 330 D/D Brian Browell, Lafayette IN, McKinney-Chevy 7.244 7.81 -0.566
33 48 A/SMA Ernest Watson, Humble TX, '05 Cavalier 7.996 8.56 -0.564
34 2126 E/SM Michael Hardee, Hampstead NC, '05 Sunfire 8.528 9.09 -0.562
35 3000 G/ED Jerry Arnold, Kalamazoo MI, Kustom-Chevy 8.005 8.56 -0.555
36 3068 J/AA Steve Ambrose, Woodhaven MI, '23-T Ford 7.856 8.40 -0.544
37 356 A/DA Doug Warren, Carmi IL, Spitzer 6.605 7.14 -0.535
38 1775 A/AA Fred Gallo, Shirley NY, '08 Cobalt 6.615 7.15 -0.535
39 3522 C/ED Gary Merrick, Girard OH, ProStart-Chevy 7.336 7.87 -0.534
40 3361 D/SMA Bo Butner, Georgetown IN, '09 Cobalt 8.437 8.97 -0.533
41 529Y B/AA Steve Holloway, Lakewood CO, '06 GTO 7.098 7.63 -0.532
42 3308 F/D John Frech, Warren OH, Weddell-Chevy 8.110 8.64 -0.530
43 358 A/EA David Billingsley, Decatur IL, '93 Cutlass 7.332 7.86 -0.528
44 3737 A/ED Jacklyn Gebhardt-Still, Jacksonville IL, S 6.673 7.20 -0.527
45 2347 G/AA Tony Terry, Forest VA, '04 Cavalier 8.393 8.91 -0.517
46 25 D/ED Ray Vierheller, Barberton OH, McKinney-Che 7.424 7.94 -0.516
47 213 A/AP David Eaton, Merritt Island FL, '39 Bantam 6.747 7.26 -0.513
48 1902 B/AA Robbie Hudlow, Monrovia MD, '08 Cobalt 7.118 7.63 -0.512
49 4682 L/AA Jody Holland, Harrah OK, '72 Opel GT 9.043 9.55 -0.507
50 3864 A/D Scott Chamness, Bourbonnais IL, Spitzer-Po 6.536 7.04 -0.504
51 4650 A/DA Dennis Smiley, Denver City TX, Spitzer 6.638 7.14 -0.502
52 37 A/EA Mike Farrell, Louisville KY, '32 Bantam 7.358 7.86 -0.502
53 5622 C/AA Jim Greenheck, Schofield WI, '01 Camaro 7.490 7.99 -0.500
54 388 A/EA Brian Stufflebeam, Peoria IL, '23-T Ford 7.363 7.86 -0.497
55 4444 B/AA Robert Hass, Houston TX, '04 Grand Am 7.137 7.63 -0.493
56 46 F/SM Charles Watson, Humble TX, '07 Cobalt 8.759 9.25 -0.491
57 394 C/DA Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg IN, Spitzer 7.081 7.57 -0.489
58 1780 C/SMA Gerry Russo, Saddle River NJ, '05 Cavalier 8.323 8.79 -0.467
59 282 C/AA Don Eberly, Brunswick GA, '06 Cavalier 7.542 7.99 -0.448
60 2112 E/ED Jenny Treadwell, Mt. Plymouth FL, Undercov 8.402 8.85 -0.448
61 2807 D/SMA Darren Breaud, Hohenwald TN, '09 Cobalt 8.525 8.97 -0.445
62 3316 B/A Mike Hazlett, Indianapolis IN, '97 Cutlass 7.119 7.56 -0.441
63 5185 A/AP Russ Kelly, Omaha NE, '32 Bantam 6.838 7.26 -0.422
64 366 C/ED Brad Allen, Winamac IN, Undercover-Mopar 7.465 7.87 -0.405

------------ Not Qualified ------------

65 3281 B/DA Gary Agan, Greenwood IN, Agan 6.993 7.39 -0.397
66 3004 B/SMA Don Winget, Richmond IN, '05 Cavalier 8.304 8.70 -0.396
67 336 B/ED Michael Lyons, Garden City MI, Spitzer-Ford 7.122 7.48 -0.358
68 308R B/A Jeff Wright, Glenford OH, '04 Cavalier 7.203 7.56 -0.357
69 107 G/SM Kyle Koretsky, Richboro PA, '05 Cavalier 8.995 9.33 -0.335
70 3074 K/A Norman Saibene, Canton OH, '32 Bantam 8.205 8.49 -0.285
71 300 C/D Mauri Rose, Warren MI, Spitzer-Chevy 7.217 7.45 -0.233
72 5008 E/SM Travis Gusso, Sioux Falls SD, '01 Mustang 8.878 9.09 -0.212
73 508 F/ED Edward Joe Shalkowski, Laramie WY, Framewo 8.997 8.83 0.167
74 5210 C/A Duane Robison, Gardner KS, '63 Corvette 8.279 7.98 0.299
75 4006 A/SMA Mike Trumble, Pasadena TX, '08 Cobalt 10.350 8.56 1.790

Final round Hemi shootout

3036 Charlie Westcott 0.013 8.626 156.15 def. 1990 David Barton 0.498 8.802 152.87

CLERMONT, Ind. -- The Westcott family, of Parma, Mich., pulled off another victory tonight in the Mopar NHRA HEMI Challenge at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Charlie Wescott, Sr., did it this time, in his 1968 Hemi Barracuda, besting David Barton, of Robesonia, Pa. Westcott needed a lot of help from his son, Charlie Westcott, Jr., and a bunch of their competitors.
Westcott Senior's engine dropped a valve on the bye run that put him into the finals. "I figured there was nothing we could do but go home," he said, "but my son is a workaholic." Westcott Junior reclaimed a Mopar 426 Hemi engine he had just delivered to John Raines, of Santa Paula, Calif., and moved the Barracuda to Californian Jim DeFrank's well-equipped trailer to do an engine swap.

With the help of many HEMI Challenge racers, the job took ninety minutes, which was just enough time to get to the starting line where finalist Barton was waiting in his Barracuda to take a bye run.

The match turned into a disaster for Barton, who left late, and a Cinderella story for the Westcotts as Charlie Senior was much quicker off the line He claimed the Hemi Challenge title with an 8.626 second run at 156.15 mph. Barton trailed with an 8.802 elapsed time and a speed of 152.87 mph.

Westcott Senior will take home $10,000 for the victory, his first at the U.S. Nationals. His son Charlie, Jr., has won three out of the last four Mopar Hemi Challenges in Indianapolis. Today's win makes it four out of the last five for the Westcotts.

"Jason Line came up to me after I won and said, 'You give me something to look forward to when I get old,'" said the 66-year-old Westoctt, Sr. Line is a veteran Pro Stock champion.

Westcott junior had the same engine problem as that of his father, preventing him from appearing in an earlier round. He was the fastest qualifier with an 8.491 clocking. Jim Daniels, of Yardley, Pa., was the second-fastest, recording an 8.519 in his HEMI Barracuda. Daniels made it to the third round before losing to Raines, who then lost to Barton in the semifinals.

Twenty-one 1968 Dodge Dart and Plymouth Barracudas participated in the Mopar Hemi Challenge this year. Entrants were from thirteen states across the U.S., ranging from New Jersey to California and from Minnesota to Louisiana.

 

Mopar Hemi shootout final qualifying

1 3651 SS/AH Charlie Westcott Jr., Parma MI, '68 Barrac 8.491 9.75 -1.259
2 1517 SS/AH Jim Daniels, Yardley PA, '68 Dart 8.519 9.75 -1.231
3 3036 SS/AH Charlie Westcott, Parma MI, '68 Barracuda 8.571 9.75 -1.179
4 1990 SS/AH David Barton, Robesonia PA, '68 Barracuda 8.574 9.75 -1.176
5 799J SS/AH John Rains, Santa Paula CA, '68 Dart 8.612 9.75 -1.138
6 1945 SS/AH Gary Wolkwitz, Annandale NJ, '68 Dart 8.626 9.75 -1.124
7 403H SS/AH Stephen Hebert, Westlake LA, '68 Barracuda 8.627 9.75 -1.123
8 138 SS/AH Wendell Howes, Rathesby NB, '68 Barracuda 8.634 9.75 -1.116
9 3410 SS/AH Randy Warford, Nashville IN, '68 Barracuda 8.714 9.75 -1.036
10 350 SS/AH Jim Pancake, Delaware OH, '68 Dart 8.742 9.75 -1.008
11 1798 SS/AH Bucky Hess, Bunker Hill WV, '68 Barracuda 8.749 9.75 -1.001
12 1968 SS/AH Chuck Comella, Sanibel FL, '68 Dart 8.750 9.75 -1.000
13 3392 SS/AH William Bales, Connersville IN, '68 Barrac 8.761 9.75 -0.989
14 720 SS/AH Dave Raybourn, Modesto CA, '68 Barracuda 8.774 9.75 -0.976
15 2354 SS/AH Bill Brooks, Kissimmee FL, '68 Barracuda 8.823 9.75 -0.927
16 3426 SS/AH Darrell Marvel, Big Rapids MI, '68 Barracu 8.833 9.75 -0.917
17 428 SS/AH Kevin Helms, Schriever LA, '68 Barracuda 8.847 9.75 -0.903
18 44 SS/AH Joe Teuton Jr., Schriever LA, '68 Barracuda 8.855 9.75 -0.895
19 335 SS/AH Jeffrey Kobylski, Macomb Twp MI, '68 Dart 9.052 9.75 -0.698
20 5529 SS/AH Russ Campbell, Springfield MO, '68 Barracu 9.174 9.75 -0.576
21 5583 SS/AH Dan Zrust, Maple Grove MN, '68 Barracuda 9.338 9.75 -0.412