Citrus Nationals Get Squeezed

By Kay Burk
Photos by Adam Cranmer

It looks like Dennis Rolansky's jet dragster tried to dry the track, but to no avail.

When life hands you lemons, as the old saying goes, make lemonade. That's just what they had to do at the Murray's Mountain Dew Citrus Nationals at Moroso Motorsports Park. Day one of the competition brought together racers from across the country to vie for a $25,000 purse. Unfortunately, the weather on day two did not cooperate, and the racers opted to split the purse and call it a year.

Because of the closeness of the points chase, the Top Sportsman class will finish their season competition at Orlando.

The Top Alcohol class featured a match up between three-time and defending champion Michael Gunderson (above) and Tony Bartone, former World Champion.

Bartone, now driving the Roger Dean Racing TAD, set a new track record, running 5.35 on Friday and backing it up on Saturday with a 5.36. He was also #1 qualifier.

Mike Smith (above) took the win over Chris "The Greek" Karamesines (below) in the first of round of Top Fuel competition.

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