We had a picture perfect day on Sunday, Sept. 18 as we hosted the National Dragster/NYS Championships along with a Stock / Super Stock event. With top payouts, NHRA “Wally” trophies for most classes with the others getting the cool looking “Tree” type trophies,  the place was packed. Fans, racers and the workers were all anticipating a great day of racing action and that’s just what we got. Here are the results.

Super Pro
In Super Pro it was Tom Belvick taking his second straight win driving his ’04 S&W Chevy powered dragster. Tom used a .520 reaction time and a 7.791 at 171.16 mph run on his 7.78 dial to stop current 1st place racer Vince Musolino who was driving his Ricelli Enterprises sponsored ’11 American Dragster. Vince had to settle for the runner up spot with a .536 initiated, 7.336 at 180.73 mph, running just under his 7.34 dial. Ken Miller was the semifinalist in his reliable '72 Maverick.

Stock/Super Stock Challenge
In the Stock / Super Stock race Stephen McGrath drove his ’68 Dodge to the win when he stopped John Cira who was in his ’68 Chevy. Both drivers were red at the tree, but John went .429 to Steve’s .466 which made Steve the winner. Steve ran an 11.224 at 116.00 mph on his 11.21 dial, while John ran a 12.278 at 103.48 mph on his 12.23 dial. Howie Smith was the semifinalist.

Pro
Eric Sadowski made his first racing appearance of the season pay off big today when he drove his Competion Wedge powered ’70 Challenger to the Pro win by defeating Terry Lee who drove his ’89 Mustang. Eric held a .520 to .588 starting line advantage and won it with a 10.959 at 119.32 mph run on his 10.94 dial. Terry settled for the runner up spot with a right on the dial 10.684 at 125.29 mph effort. Al Meirer was the semifinalist. Eric also wanted to thank Howard Roberts for all his help on race day.

Pro MX
Dennis Boston won the Pro MX class by stopping past Pro Bike champ Cory Bingel. Dennis, driving his ’03 Ski-Doo cut a .553 light and ran a 9.650 at 124.67 mph on his 9.62 dial to hold off Cory who was on his ’04 Suzuki. Cory had a stout .510reaction, but unfortunately for him his powerful bike shook the tire around the 60 foot mark which slowed him to an 8.362 at 147.60 mph which was well off his 8.27 dial in and he could not run Dennis down. Chrissy Klein and Carla Kitchen were the semifinalists.

Street Money
Street Money “Ace” Anthony Zangari was at it again today as he drove his ’99 Z/28 Camaro to the win downing a red lighting Mike Ching who was driving his ’05 Camaro. Mike went red with a .471 foul, while Anthony had a .569 and cruised to the “Wally” win. Mike shut off as well. Jessica DeSiato and Howie Conklin both drove well all day and made it to the semis.

Modified
Gary Rolfe Jr. drove his ’85 S-10 to the win in Modified when he defeated Shawn Manley in his hemi powered ’08 Jeep. Gary held a .571 to .635 r.t. advantage to win with his 11.624 at 103.89 mph run on his 11.59 dial. Shawn ran under his 12.95 dial with a 12.924 at 104.20 mph to take the runner up spot. Fausto Rioscolon was the semifinalist.

Street Trophy
Street Trophy action saw Steve English in his ’82 Cutlass stop Liz West who was driving her ’02 Trans Am. Steve used a .602 to .734 starting line advantage to win with a 12.724 at 96.11 mph run on his 12.69 dial. Liz ran under her 12.28 dial with a 12.260 at 109.74 mph for the runner up spot. Jim Smith was the semifinalist.

Bike/Sled Trophy
In the Bike/Sled Trophy class Freddie Jacobs on his ’91 Suzuki defeated Chrissy Klein who red lighted driving her ’02 Polaris. Fred ran a 9.356 at 143.21 mph on his 9.30 dial for the win, while Chrissy runner-upped with her 9.696 at 127.87 mph on her 9.64 dial. Gary Wilson and David Ashby were the semifinalists.

Jr. Dragster "A"
Kimberly Klein added the pewter tree trophy to her collection when she stopped current points leader Justin Hardman in the Jr. Dragster “A” class final round. Justin actually stopped himself with an oh-so-close .498 red light start and had to settle for the runner up spot. Kim had a .549 light and was holding a ton as she bombed her 7.90 dial with a 7.79 at 83.04 mph winning pass. Dunham Hall was the semifinalist.

Jr. Dragster "B"
Not to be out done by his big sister, Ron Klein Jr. grabbed his own pewter tree trophy in the Jr. Dragster “B” class final round when he defeated Shane Bingel. Ron had a killer .513 light and won with an 8.859 at 73.75 mph run on his 8.90 dial in. Shane missed the tree with a .726 light and ran way under his 12.90 dial in with a 12.744 at 50.00 mph runner up effort. Jacob Snyder was the semifinalist.

That’s how it went for today’s racing action. Congrats to all the finalists and thanks to everyone coming out to compete and watch the action.

By Pete DeSalvo Jr.