NHRA FMDRS: Mano and Booz enjoy the holiday with wins at Lebanon Valley
3 July 2000
WEST LEBANON, N.Y.-The Third event of the 2000 Northeast Division
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series took place at Lebanon Valley Dragway in
West Lebanon, N.Y. which is approximately 10 miles from the New
York/Massachusetts state line. 418 drivers and grandstands filled to
capacity with passionate race fans enjoyed the perfect weather during the
Fourth of July Holiday weekend.
Both drivers and spectators alike welcome the hot weather as a nice change
of pace from past experiences. For the first time since 1993 rain did not
threaten racing activities at Lebanon Valley Dragway. "It makes it fun to
race when you know that bad weather does not come into play," said
Rochester, N.Y., native Dan Fletcher. "Usually, when you know that there
is a chance of rain, it changes your mind-set and you are not as
enthusiastic to want to run that day."
After regaining the top qualifying position from Bob Newberry of
Schenectady, N.Y., last years defending National Federal-Mogul Funny Car
Champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., narrowly beat his rival in the
finals. Manzo had a 4.56 reaction time compared to Newberry's 4.57
enabling Manzo to win his third consecutive divisional race with a run of
5.869 seconds and a speed of 247.57 mph.
Jeannie Booz of Blooming Glen, Pa., won her first Divisional race of 2000.
Booz, after two consecutive second place finishes, dominated the field with
a pass of 5.779 seconds at 245.85 mph becoming the first repeat winner at
Lebanon Valley Dragway. The number four qualifier, took out the number two
qualifier Mike Gunderson, of Middleburg, Fla., who had a run of 9.569
seconds and a speed of 63.94 mph.
"I do not know what it is," said Booz. "I just feel real
comfortable at this track, we just tried to be consistent." "We tried to
hit a 5.60, we fell short a little, but I am very happy for the win." "It
is nice to finally get the monkey off our backs," said an exuberant Booz.
In other action, sharing the $2500 Winston Top Qualifier money were
Arthur Gallant, Federal-Mogul Dragster; Frank Manzo, Federal-Mogul Funny
Car; Frank Aragona, Competition; John Armstrong, Super Stock; and Cecil
Frazier, Stock. The Best Appearing Car Award went to Acton, Mass.;
resident Raymond Sawyer while David Barton of Wernersville, Pa, landed the
Best Engineered Car Award. Finally, Paul Gill's Federal-Mogul Funny Car
team won the Best Appearing Crew Award.
The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul
Drag Racing Series event at Lebanon Valley Dragway:
FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
Round 1
8) Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.818 e.t., 229.24 mph def. 1) Arthur
Gallant, BoxBoro, Mass., 18.402 e.t., 47.54 mph
4) Jeannie Booz, Blooming Glen, Pa., 5.712, 248.02 def 5) Cliff Bozelli,
Absecon, N.Y., Did not run
2) Mike Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.518, 228.38 def 7) Mike Kosky,
Cuddy, Pa., 9.810, 82.70
3) Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 5.689, 238.55 def 6) Doug Foley,
Wappinger Falls, N.Y., 5.807, 246.57
Semi-Finals
Booz, 5.680 e.t., 249.58 mph def. Winward, 5.788 e.t., 237.71 mph
Gunderson, 5.573 e.t., 227.88 mph def. McPhillips, 9.751 e.t., 81.05 mph
Final Round
Booz, 5.779 e.t., 245.85 mph def Gunderson, 9.569 e.t., 63.94 mph
FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR
Round 1
1) Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., 5.834 e.t., 248.02 mph def. 8) Craig
English, Mount Holly, N.J., 10.338 e.t., 75.13 mph
6) Jeff McCulloch, Oshawa, Ont., Can., 6.264, 201.27 def 3) Paul Gill,
Brockton, Mass., 6.413, 247.52
5) Paul Athey, Norwich, Conn., 6.086, 228.65 def. 4) Eric Laurie,
Terryville, Conn., 6.121, 239.02
2) Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., 5.83, 248.48 def. 7) Ed Fisher,
Milford, Conn., 6.06, 236.22
Semi-Finals
Manzo, 5.829 e.t., 247.07 mph def. Athey, 6.184 e.t., 219.76 mph
Newberry, 8.905 e.t., 99.91 def. McCulloch, Did not run
Final Round
Manzo, 5.869 e.t., 245.85 mph def. Newberry, 5.995 e.t., 242.36 mph
COMP ELIMINATOR
Aragona, 8.498 e.t., 154.76 mph, def. Stratton, 8.226 e.t., 161.40
SUPER STOCK
Storey, 9.895 e.t., 135.81 mph def. Biondo, 11.115 e.t., 121.75 mph
STOCK ELIMINATOR
Kinash, 12.634 e.t., 105.36 mph def. Pappas, 12.129 e.t., 102.20 mph
SUPER COMP
Szilagyi, 8.919 e.t., 162.80 mph def. Roberts, 8.866 e.t., 148.58 mph
SUPER GAS
Bowers, 9.908 e.t., 153.77 mph def. Drummond, 9.903 e.t., 147.83 mph
SUPER STREET
Giuliano, 10.913 e.t., 131.09 mph def. Van Gorder, 10.906 e.t., 122.72 mph