VEALE, BELLEMEUR, AND MARTINO SCORE IN READING
READING, Pa. – Jeff Veale, Sean Bellemeur, and Tom Martino raced to victory during the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals this past weekend at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.
Veale of Stoney Creek, Ont., started strong off the line and held off Jackie Fricke, Flemington, N.J., for the holeshot win in the Top Alcohol Dragster final round. Veale raced to victory clocking in at 5.402 seconds, 274.27 mph., Fricke followed up at 5.384 seconds, 269.89 mph. This was the first time these two drivers matched up in eliminations.
In the Top Alcohol Funny Car final round, Phil Burkart, Yorkville, N.Y., took a strong lead over Bellemeur of Placentia, Calif. However, Bellemeur did not quit and passed Burkart in the last 300 feet of the drag strip to pull off the victory at 5.542 seconds, 265.69 mph. Burkart runner-upped at 5.586 seconds, 264.34 mph.
The Comp Eliminator final round featured a New Jersey showdown. Martino of Farmington obtained the starting line advantage and held off Scott Benham of Jackson for the double breakout victory. Martino made a victory pass of 8.684 seconds, 144.66 mph.
Karl Martel, Dover, Del., squared off against Lenny Williams, Poughkeepsie N.Y., in the Stock Eliminator final round. Martel captured his first national event Wally trophy as he got off to the better start and prevented Williams from catching up, running 10.262 seconds, 121.96 mph. Williams came in second at 11.139 seconds, 113.98 mph.
The other drivers visiting the winner’s circle were Byron Worner in Super Stock, Lauren Freer in Super Comp, and Kevin Robb in Super Gas.
The following are Sunday’s final round results from the 33rd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa:
Top Alcohol Dragster
Jeff Veale, 5.402, 274.27 def. Jackie Fricke, 5.384, 269.89.
Top Alcohol Funny Car
Sean Bellemeur, Chevy Camaro, 5.542, 265.69 def. Phil Burkart, Camaro, 5.586, 264.34.
Comp Eliminator
Tom Martino, Chevy Cobalt, 8.684, 144.66 def. Scott Benham, Chevy S-10, 8.232, 163.99.
Super Stock
Byron Worner, Chevy Camaro, 9.863, 133.26 def. Anthony Bertozzi, Pontiac Grand Am, 9.062, 145.78.
Stock Eliminator
Karl Martel, Chevy Camaro, 10.262, 121.96 def. Lenny Williams, Buick Gran Sport, 11.139, 113.98.
Super Comp
Lauren Freer, Dragster, 8.899, 177.93 def. Jeff Kundratic, Dragster, 8.869, 165.25.
Super Gas
Kevin Robb, Chevy Corvette, 9.899, 162.84 def. Ray Sawyer, Chevy Camaro, 9.892, 176.05.
