WHITELEY AND RAMPY WINNERS AT GATORNATIONALS
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ann Marie Whiteley and David Rampy raced to victory at this weekend’s NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway. Whitely grabbed her fourth national event win in Top Alcohol Funny Car and Rampy added his 93rd national event win.
Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., ran 5.412 seconds, 273.22 mph to defeat Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., who was unable to return to the starting line after breaking following the semifinal round. Whiteley ran the tenth quickest pass and ties John Lombardo for seventh fastest in the history of Top Alcohol Funny Car. The Colorado driver eliminated Bill Naves and Andy Bohl in rounds 1 and 2 before taking out Lombardo to advance to the final round.
It was a back and forth final round as fans in attendance were treated to a competitive Top Alcohol Dragster finale between Justin Ashley, Plainview N.Y., and Rich McPhillips, Phonexville, Pa. McPhillips started strong out of the gate, but Ashley began to chase him down and pulled past McPhillips to win his first national event Wally. Ashley made a winning pass of 5.232 seconds, 275.96 mph over McPhillips runner-up pass at 5.258 seconds, 277.20 mph.
Piedmont, Ala., racer David Rampy took the starting line against Wes Leopold, Bethel Park, Pa., in the final round of Comp Eliminator. Leopold took off too soon, fouling at the line. Rampy registered victory pass of 8.099, 118.68. The Alabama racer defeated Jenny Treadwell in semifinals to advance to the final round.
Jeffrey Parker, Kathleen, Ga., cruised to victory in the Top Sportsman Presented by Racing RVs.com final round. Barker ran 6.554, 211.59 defeating Casey Spradlin, Ranburne, Ala., who finished second at 6.789, 206.86. In the final of round of School of Automotive Machinists Factory Stock Showdown, David Barton, Robesonia, Pa., took the starting line advantage and held the lead and gaining the win. Barton registered his winning run at 8.131, 168.47. Chuck Watson, Gross Ille, Mich., runner-upped at 8.227, 167.76.
The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were Jacob Elrod in Super Comp; Sherman Adcock in Super Gas; Fred Allen in Super Stock; and Terry Nagel in Stock Eliminator.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Amalie Motor Oil Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway:
TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER
Justin Ashley, Plainview N.Y., 5.232 seconds, 275.96 def. Rich McPhillips, Phonexville, Pa., 5.258, 277.20
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR
Ann Marie Whiteley, Grand Junction, Colo., 5.412, 273.22 def. Dan Pomponio, Berlin, N.J., broke
SUPER COMP
Jacob Elrod, Lima, Ohio 8.917, 179.42 def. Troy Williams, Daytona Beach, Fla., 8.931,174.23
SUPER GAS
Sherman Adcock, Fortson, Ga., 9.908, 155.24 def. David Tatum, Palmetto, Ga., 9.900, 166.42
COMP ELIMINATOR
David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., 8.099, 118.68 def. Wes Leopold, Bethel Park, Pa., foul
SUPER STOCK
Fred Allen, Mary Esther, Dr., 9.295 112.21 def. Michael Volkman, Campobello, S.C., 10.172, 133.49
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Terry Nagel, Breckenridge, Mich., 11.067, 113.72 def. Richard Mace, Jackson, Fla., 11.989, 110.40
TOP SPOTSTMAN PRSENTED BY RACING RVS.COM
Jeffrey Parker, Kathleen, Ga., 6.554, 211.59 def. Casey Spradlin, Ranburne, Ala., 6.789, 206.86
FACTORY STOCK SHOWDOWN
David Barton, Robesonia, Pa., 8.131, 168.47 def. Chuck Watson, Gross Ille, Mich., 8.227, 167.76
