Geoff Turk made history Saturday, March 9, when he officially ran in the 7s during the opening round of the NMCA race season. The Dodge Drag Pak Challenger, known as “The Blackbird,” produced a 7.996 time slip to earn the prestige and big money bonus from Holley EFI.

 

Over the winter, Holley EFI formed an exclusive 7-Second Club and committed to paying $5,000 to the first racer to do the deed. And to sweeten the pot, if the vehicle was equipped with a Holley EFI system, the company doubled the payout for a cool $10,000. There are four more spots left in the Holley EFI 7-Second Club, each one paying $1,000 in Holley product certificates.

 

Turk was part of the fifth pair to roll to the starting line during the first round of qualifying when he etched his name in the history books of drag racing. Following the 7.996 at 170.10mph run, the Blackbird underwent a teardown inspection by the NMCA technical staff. The tech team verified the legality of the supercharger, engine, and driveline, officially branding Turk as the “First to the 7s.” [03/12/18]

Duane Shields (Ron Lewis photo)

 

Duane Shields, Sean Bellemeur, and Greg Kamplain celebrated with their teams in winner’s circle this past weekend at the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Southeast Division, Prelude to the Gators in Gainesville Raceway.

 

In the Top Alcohol Dragster final round, Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., left the starting line first and topped out 5.346 seconds, 280.89 mph. However, Shields of Boulder City, NV, erased the deficit, chasing down his Canadian adversary for the final round victory, running 5.279 seconds, 274.78 mph.

 

“I hate to say how long it’s been since we won last, but it feels really good to get the win for my team and my sponsors," Shields said after the event.

 

Bellemeur, Placentia, CA, had a small starting line advantage and maintained it throughout the entire pass, beating out Kris Hool, Evansville, WY, for the Top Alcohol Funny Car Wally trophy. Bellemeur won his ninth Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Wally, hitting a full stride at 5.427 seconds, 270.81 mph. Hool runner upped at 5.748 seconds, 233.08 mph.

 

Van Puckett, Monroe, Ga., took the starting line but was unable to hold off a charging Kamplain, Brownsburg, IN, who took home the Comp Eliminator Wally after the dust settled. The champion peaked out at 6.816 seconds, 193.46 mph.

 

A battle of North vs. South Carolina ensued in the Top Sportsman final round. Jackie Robison, Greer, SC., registered a nearly perfect light (.001) but was unable to hold off Sandy Wilkins, Mount Ulla, NC. Wilkins upended Robison in a close race, hitting 6.726 seconds, 205.85 mph in his Camaro. Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, VA, earned his 20th Lucas Oil Wally this past weekend, running 6.211 seconds, 185.87 mph to defeat Frederick Perkins, Higganum, Conn., in the Hickory Enclosed Top Dragster final round.

 

The Agent hears that KJ Nowling, son of former ADRL head honcho Kenny Nowling, qualified at Gainesville in the Stock class. The former Jr. Dragster driver qualified at No. 25 and beat Gary Summers and Chip Johnson before going .007 red against Merrill Schrimscher in the third round.

 

Many of the racers will be running this week at the Mac Tools NHRA Gatornationals.

 

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER: Duane Shields, Boulder City, NV, 5.279, 274.78 def. Jeff Veale, Stoney Creek, Ont., 5.346, 280.89.

 

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR: Sean Bellemeur, Placentia, CA, '17 Camaro, 5.427, 270.81 def. Kris Hool, Evansville, WY, '16 Camaro, 5.748, 233.08.

 

COMP ELIMINATOR: Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, IN, '14 dragster, B/ED, 6.816, 193.46 def. Van Puckett, Monroe, GA, '05 Cavalier, G/AA, 8.262, 164.61.

 

SUPER STOCK: Jeff Adkinson, Damascus, GA, '05 Sunfire, GT/GA, 9.558, 126.85 def. Brad Zaskowski, Belding, MI, '87 Camaro, GT/L, 10.062, 127.91.

 

STOCK ELIMINATOR: Jeff Strickland, Red Bay, AL, '18 Copo, FS/C, 9.421, 137.53 def. Steve Szupka, Northampton, PA, '84 Camaro, H/SA, 11.420, 111.37.

 

SUPER COMP: Ray Miller III, Spring Hill, TN, '16 Miller, 8.899, 179.80 def. Thomas Coleman, Tallassee, AL, '13 Dragster, 8.880, 156.21.

 

SUPER GAS: Michelle Furr, Galax, VA, '17 Corvette, 9.917, 162.25 def. Larry Bernshausen, Manito, IL, '77 Vega SW, 9.893, 150.08.

 

SUPER STREET: Chris DePascale, Parlin, NJ, '74 Chevy, 10.892, 145.39 def. Colby Fuller, Savannah, GA, '68 Camaro SS, 10.885, 140.63.

 

TOP SPORTSMAN: Sandy Wilkins, Mount Ulla, NC, '69 Camaro, 6.726, 205.85 def. Jackie Robison, Greer, SC, '66 Chevy II, 6.888, 196.70.

 

TOP DRAGSTER: Anthony Bertozzi, Ashland, VA, '16 Race Tech, 6.211, 185.87 def. Frederick Perkins, Higganum, CT, '16 Maddox, 6.161, 222.66.

 

JR DRAGSTER 13-17: Mattie Case Vlokman, Campobello, SC, dragster, 7.928, 81.56 def. Katrina Carpenter, St Petersburg, FL, dragster, 7.929, 82.24.

 

JR DRAGSTER 10-12: Logan Westmoreland, Greenwood, SC, dragster, 8.955, 70.87 def. Alyson Reynolds, W Melbourne, FL, dragster, 8.917, 72.49.

 

JR DRAGSTER 6-9: Dylan MacNicol, N Port, FL, dragster, 12.052, 52.26 def. Cody Cumming, Milton, NH, dragster, 14.431, 43.79.   [03/12/18]