1999 Northeast Division: Water World
by Dave Mohn
1999 began innocently enough…. It all started at the annual awards ceremony at the
Lancaster Host Resort. When the Northeast Division Certification Team began setting up the
banquet hall, we should have known then, it was going to be a year to forget. We arrived
at the banquet hall after the Annual Tech Inspector meeting Saturday afternoon. Everyone
looks around and it is actually raining inside the room! It snowed on Friday, blocking the
gutters, followed by a rainstorm and anyone in this part of the country knows what happens
next. That should have been the tell tale sign.
We didn’t think anything of the rain in the building until now. The next event on
the schedule was the Pepsi First State Open at US 13 Dragway in Delmar, Delaware on March
27-28. This event is popular among many racers because it usually brings record setting
performances and Saturday of this event was no different. Notice I said Saturday. The Top
8 and Super Slam races were completed and tear down of the various records also was
accomplished. Sunday, however was a different story…. We woke up Sunday morning to
the delightful, and I mean that sarcastically, sights of wet ground. We proceed to the
track and attempt to dry the track to no avail. So, the plug was pulled and everyone got
to make the return trip April 25. Charlie Cathell and his staff did a great job in
preparing and maintaining track conditions. The winners were Dean Stanfield over Mike
Gricco in Super Stock, Robert Pare over Bill Groton in Stock, Zack Holm over Lou Thibault
in Super Comp, Dale Koncen over George Stack in Super Gas, and Dale Smith Jr. over Levine
Glover in Super Street.
The inaugural Atco National Open was the next stop of the Tour of N.E.D. We arrived to
set up on Thursday April 8 to Sunny but cool weather. Friday morning, Joe Sway and the
gang at Atco had the coffeepot brewing and about 15,000 donuts waiting for the racers as
they came in the gate. We were scheduled to start time trials at 10:00 a.m. and since this
was the year of the great drought, we had to dry the track due to rain. Time trials began
at 12:10 p.m. and ended at 12:55 when Mother Nature had another crying spell. That ended
Friday – on to Saturday. The staff at Atco once again was put into action due to the
liquid sunshine that permeated the asphalt. But we got started only an hour and fifteen
minutes late – not too bad. Saturday’s schedule went as planned with the Super
Slam and Top 8 Program being completed as well as record runs and tear down. It was a busy
day for all involved. Sunday morning came and eliminations began at 9:03 only three
minutes late! Super Street round one was completed and Stock about 50 percent complete
when the sky fell. The plug was pulled and everyone got the opportunity to return to Atco
on June 26. Upon arrival at the track on that wonderful Saturday morning, we were greeted
by sunny skies and high temperatures – but no rain. Everyone got a time trial and
then right into eliminations. The event was completed with the following results: Al
Ackerman over Chip Banney Jr. in Comp, Michael Barsky defeated Jeff Roell in Super Stock,
Don Quinn over Kevin Fogerty in Stock, Paul Naumenko over Richard Leone in Super Comp, Bob
Phillips over Glen Emig in Super Gas, and Don Garbinski over Harry Lutz in Super Street.
The next event was the Pennzoil Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park. Rain. Event
completed on Monday. Enough said.
The first stop on the Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series Tour was at
Maple Grove Raceway on May 14-16. The track had a test session on Thursday that was
curtailed due to… You guessed it – RAIN! Actually we all thought maybe this was
the race to turn our bad start around. We did not have another drop of rain the entire
weekend. Three days of racing were completed with record runs and the Top 8 and Super Slam
Races taking place on Friday. First round of eliminations were on Saturday except for
Super Street, Federal-Mogul Dragster, and Federal-Mogul Funny Car. George Case and the
crew at Maple Grove Raceway did a tremendous job with the track keeping conditions
identical the entire weekend. The results of the race were as follows: Mike Gunderson won
the Federal-Mogul Dragster Battle over Mike Kosky. Federal-Mogul Funny Car pitted winner
Paul Gill against runner-up Frank Manzo. Competition Eliminator hometown boy Santo Volpe
took the win over Al Ackerman. Lincoln Morehead defeated Kent Hanley in Super Stock. John
Presing defeated Don Himes in Stock. Local Chassis Builder/racer Ed Quay took the Super
Comp win over Jean Ann Zetterberg. Jerry Pierce defeated Ray Fordyce in Super Gas. Billy
Curtin took the win over Lee Zane in Super Street.
The next chapter in our "Sogga" takes us to Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
for the Mopar Nationals. The event was wet – very wet. Final rounds were finally run
on Tuesday. Let’s move on.
We arrive in Delmar Delaware for the US 13 Dragway Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series
Event and are greeted by what looks to be a decent weekend. Let me tell you, looks can be
deceiving. Thursday we had a car show at English’s that went well until it RAINED!.
Friday was a success, with time trials all day and a Special Press Race with the winner
being Conrad Mogan of WMDT-TV. Saturday was also a great race day with the Top 8 and Super
Slam races taking place. Sunday -- just another typical Sunday in this drought filled
year. It rained all day until the plug was pulled. The race was rescheduled for Sunday
June 27. For those of you who haven’t followed the whole story, Saturday June 26 was
the day we completed the Atco National Open. Needless to say, everyone was anxiously
anticipating the weekend and the convoy from New Jersey to Delaware. Luckily, we completed
the Atco Race by 3:00 p.m. and were on the road shortly thereafter. Saturday night quite a
few of the straightliners took advantage of the deal at the circle track and took in some
dirt track racing. Sunday morning the skies were clear with the threat of afternoon
showers. It was Hazy, Hot and Humid all day but we didn’t get any rain. Racing action
got off on time with a time trial for Super Street, Super Gas, Super Comp, Stock, and
Super Stock. Eliminations began around 10:30 a.m. and the final cars went down the track
at around 6:50 p.m. The finalists were Michael Bartone defeating Rich McPhillips in
Federal-Mogul Dragster; Frank Manzo acing Melinda Green-King in Federal-Mogul Funny Car;
Dave Northrop taking the win over Al Ackerman, who won the previous day at Atco, in Comp;
Lincoln Morehead taking his second points race of the year over Mike Volkman in Super
Stock; Bud Hoerth defeating Joe DeMarzo in Stock; Duane D'Agostino taking the win over
Carl Trader in Super Comp; John Michaels defeating Ed Alessi Jr. in Super Gas; and Mike
Giuliano over Rick Cooper in Super Street.
The week after the original Federal-Mogul Race at US 13 Dragway, was the Pontiac
Excitement National presented by Summit Racing. At this event is the Federal-Mogul
All-stars Race, in which the top points earners from their respective home divisions, race
against each other. Our hopes were high as we had a formidable team I would have put
against anyone. They were:
Federal-Mogul Dragster Cliff Bozzelli
Federal-Mogul Funny Car Frank Manzo
Comp Eliminator Allen Stanfield
Super Stock Dan Fletcher
Stock Bob Mullaney
Super Comp Don Butkiewicz
Super Gas Todd Beam
Super Street Bob Farrell
This, on paper, was one good-looking team. Well let’s just say it’s a shame
we don’t race on paper. Everyone gave their best effort and the chips just
didn’t fall our way. We did have one Champion and one Runner-up. Dan Fletcher added
to his resume’ by taking the Super Stock Title and Bob Farrell just missed the Super
Street Title and you can ask him by how much.
West Lebanon, New York is the next stop on our seemingly endless Summer of Fun Tour.
There was a test and tune on Thursday followed by an excursion to Lake George for a dinner
cruise for anyone that signed up. Friday morning, the mob arrived at the track to begin
the day with tech inspection and time trials. The track had their annual 4th of
July Celebration that evening and of course we had to fight weather once again. Time
trials began at 11:20 a.m., followed by rain and track drying from 11:50 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Time trials continued until 5:00 p.m. when it rained again. The track was dried once
again, and as the saying goes, "the show must go on." As if the rain wasn’t
enough, the pump for the burnout box water hose stopped working just as the show began. So
there we were, pouring water out of bottles in the burnout boxes! Then the power went out
in the tower and we were forced to use the Division One Generator to complete the
evening’s activities – which went off very well all things considered. The Comp
cars ran well, the Federal-Mogul cars ran well, the wheelstander and the jets put on a
good show and the fireworks were dynamite! Due to Friday’s problems, the schedule for
Saturday was adjusted, moving first round eliminations to Sunday for all categories.
Saturday was a wonderful day and was forced to end when the Circle Track began racing,
which entitled everyone to attend the annual Racer Barbecue. Special thanks to Chuck and
Deb Rothermel and all who volunteered their time to the Barbecue. Sunday morning we
arrived at the track to wet grounds once again as a tremendous Thunderstorm went through
Saturday night. The schedule said to begin at 10:00 a.m. but that became 12:00 noon due to
track drying and pit area problems. All in all it was a successful weekend that ended at
9:10 p.m. Sunday evening. The important thing was, we were not going to be denied. The
results of the race were Jeanie Booz taking her first win in Federal-Mogul Dragster over
Doug Foley. Frank Manzo defeated long-time nemesis Bob Newberry in Federal-Mogul Funny
Car. Victor Cagnazzi beat Al Ackerman in Comp Eliminator. Peter Biondo defeated George
Tamasi in Super Stock in a battle of second generation racers. Andy Kinash took the win
over Mark Dickerson in Stock. Dominick Soldato in a door car beat Paul Naumenko in
dragster heavy Super Comp. Jim Smulligan beat Ken Bowers in Super gas, while Billy Curtin
defeated Mike Giuliano to take his second win of the year in Super Street. We would like
to thank Tim Barletta and the crew of Lebanon Valley Dragway for keeping the track at
optimum performance levels under the extreme conditions.
Numidia Raceway in Numidia, PA was the next race on the schedule. Thursday a press race
was planned and all that participated had a good time. The win in this race went to Brian
Osuch from WHLM Radio. Friday everything went as planned with no major problems to speak
of. Saturday we got the day in with only a 15-minute break for rain. The Top 8 and Super
Slam Races were run on Saturday. After the racing action on Saturday, professional
wrestling took place for spectators and racers to enjoy. Sunday morning we started on time
and then dropped fluid on the track… only this time it was oil and lots of it! We
then had another Hour and forty-five minute rain delay and completed the race at 9:00 p.m.
Another race completed on the scheduled day! The results follow: Steve Lamplough drove by
Rich McPhillips in Federal-Mogul Dragster, Frank Manzo took revenge for Maple Grove on
Paul Gill in Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Don Stratton defeated Larry Pritchett in a battle of
Division 3 cars in Comp, Lincoln Morehead took a double breakout win over Sal Biondo for
his third home division win in Super Stock. Larry Pappas beat Tom Dauber in Stock; Tom
Stalba defeated Randy Winfelder in Super Comp, Billy Leber beat Steve Drummond in Super
Gas, and Brad Givler defeated Bob Farrell in Super Street. A big thank you to Max Naylor
and the Staff at Numidia Raceway for providing everyone awesome track conditions for a
great weekend of racing.
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey – stop five on our
Federal-Mogul Journey. Friday morning time trials begin at 10:00 a.m. and things go great
until 2:45 p.m. when the theme for this year happened: rain. One hour later, it was back
to racing. The Super Slam and Top 8 Programs were run on Friday. Saturday morning and
guess what – no rain! We raced until 7:00 p.m. when we had to stop due to you know
what. By stopping at 7: 00, five Federal-Mogul Dragsters and all of the Funny Cars only
got one qualifying attempt moving the second attempt to Sunday Morning. Sunday the
schedule was only pushed 15 minutes late to start. The day went well with no major
problems. We finished at 7:00 p.m. with the following results: Federal-Mogul dragster saw
Ron Still drive around Jeanie Booz for the win. Frank Manzo continued his barrage by
defeating Bob Newberry in Federal-Mogul Funny Car. Tom Ekroth defeated Al Ackerman in
Comp. Dan Fletcher beat Howard Barsky in Super Stock basically clinching the Division
Super Stock crown. Ron Urquhart took the win over Brian Van Poppel in Stock. Michael
Glaser defeated John Bruzzo in an all home track racer final. Chuck Szilagyi defeated
Duane Fisher to take the trophy in Super Gas. Don Garbinski defeated Jeff Fisher in Super
Street. Thank you to the Napp family for their hospitality and conditions for racing that
we have grown to expect.
The second week of a four week stretch takes us to Mason-Dixon Dragway for the
Northeast Division Junior Drag Racing League Divisional Championships. Elmer Wachter and
the crew at the track were ready for this event and made this year’s race bigger and
better than last year’s. With over 250 Junior Dragsters in action, winning was a
chore. We arrived at the track on Friday morning with clear skies and warm temperatures.
The Race of Champions took place on Friday with Joe Santangelo of Lebanon Valley Dragway
taking the win over Marty Flegal of Maple Grove Raceway. After Friday’s activities,
the entire group (racers and crews) traveled across the street to the Family Recreation
Pavilion for a chicken barbecue and the amusement park. Saturday was the final day of the
event and began with time trials then right into eiliminations. Of course, we had to have
our fifteen to twenty minute courtesy rain break in there as well. The race went well, and
after second round of eliminations, those that lost either first or second round were
invited back for the Consolation Race. With almost 200 cars in the first round of the
Consolation race, first round took quite some time. But when it was said and done all
involved had a great time. The winner in the 8-9 year old class was Jacob Hunsaker from
Oxford Dragway defeating Joe Adams from Oxford Dragway. That made the trip from Maine to
Maryland worthwhile. Taking the 10-11 year old crown was Alexa Lorenzo of Old Bridge Twp.
Raceway Park defeating Spencer Jones of Numidia Raceway. Scott Hakucsa from Island Dragway
defeated Mark Roe from Fairmont Dragway to take the win in the 12-13 year old class. The
14-17 year old class paired Phillip Truitt of US 13 Dragway against Joe Santangelo from
Lebanon Valley Dragway, who was going for the double win. It was not meant to be as
Phillip Truitt put together the best package.
Rising Sun, Maryland home of Cecil County Dragway was the final stop for Federal-Mogul
Drag Racing Series Competitors in the Northeast Division. Thursday the track held a test
and tune for any interested parties. Friday we arrive at the track ready to complete
another year of Federal-Mogul Points races and are greeted by sunny skies and a good
outlook. We got started on time and things were looking good for the Friday Night
Extravaganza. The show was scheduled to start at 6:30 with Comp Eliminator. We ran three
rounds of time trials for all classes (except Comp and the Federal-Mogul Dragsters and
Funny Cars). That took us to 6:25 p.m. Man Oh Man are we looking good! BLAMMO!! The skies
crash down like there’s no tomorrow. Spectators were rolling in the gate then rain,
and I’m here to tell you it was a lot of rain. So we cancel the Friday Night Show and
reschedule it for Saturday. Saturday morning Jim Halsey and the Cecil County Dragway Staff
were out early to get the track dried and prepped for the day. The schedule started on
time with the show planned to start at 5:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m. we finish clean-up runs for the
late arrivers do our track check prior to going into the Show. The show goes off great
– most of the spectators came back for the show and the cars put on a great show. The
suicidal maniac jumped over the helicopter, the jets ran well, the wheelstanders ran well,
the suicidal maniac blew himself up. What a Show! Sunday we arrive and everything was just
peachy. Racing begins with Super Street first round only twenty-five minutes late. No rain
to speak of and everything goes almost perfect. I had the schedule figured to finish at
6:00 p.m. and we finished at 5:59 p.m. Am I good or what? The results were Mike Kosky
defeating Ron Still in Federal-Mogul Dragster for the sixth different winner in six races.
Frank Manzo beat Bob Newberry in Federal-Mogul Funny Car to take his fifth win of the
season. Dave Northrop beat Mike Saye in Comp Eliminator. Sal Biondo defeated Denny Steward
in Super Stock, while Bob Mullaney defeated Sal’s brother Peter Biondo in Stock.
Vonnie Mills took out Tom Boyle in Super Comp. Chuck Rothermel defeated Dan Northrop in
Super Gas and Billy Curtin took his third win of the season from Mike Giuliano in Super
Street.
The next race on the agenda was the True Value Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove
raceway. Everyone remembers Floyd, right. Special thanks to those who went trailer diving:
Rob Slavinski, Jeff Szilagyi, Tom Goldman, John DiBartolomeo, Ned Walliser, Mark Stauffer
and the Maple Grove Maintenance Crew, and the NHRA Pit Control Staff. That water was cold
and deep. Enough about that.
The Sears Craftsman ET Finals at US 13 Dragway in Delmar, Delaware is, for many of our
bracket racing contingent, the final stop on the yearly racing schedule. With over 800
Race teams represented, this is a long race. Wednesday, the NHRA Member Track Operators
from the Sears Craftsman ET Series Tracks arrived at the track for a day of relaxation.
Half of our group went golfing the other half went on a boat ride to Smith’s Island.
Imagine that, all this rain and people want to go on a boat. Wednesday evening the
Wicomico County Tourism Bureau held a get together for the Track Operators at the Welcome
Center. Thursday morning Charlie Cathell and the staff at US 13 Dragway had to do the
usual for this year, dry the track. Well, we got started at noon, gave all racers two time
trials, and then had the racer barbecue. Friday we held two time trial sessions and the S
&W Race Cars Race of Champions. The Winners of the S & W Race Cars Race of
Champions were: 75-80’s Scott Bodmer defeating Maple Grove Champion Bill Maroun in
Super Pro. Spencer Speedway’s Steve McGrath defeated Raceway Park’s Frank
Maffiore, Jr. in Heavy. In ET Motorcycle, Rick Fies from ESTA Safety Park cruised to the
victory over US 13’s DJ Lockwood.
The S & W Race Cars Race of Champions winner in Street was Matt Montgomery from
Maple Grove Raceway defeating Raceway Park’s John Mick. Saturday morning we arrived
and the skies were beautiful with no chance of rain forecasted. Eliminations went very
well, with a couple of oil downs but nothing spectacular. The team Spirit Award went to
Team Maple Grove Raceway in a close vote. The winners were in Super Pro Rich Rogge of
Maple Grove beating Keith Sloan from Raceway Park. Heavy was won by George Martinelli from
Atco Raceway over Island Dragway’s Bob Green. Bike/Sled ET champion Tom Sheidy from
Maple Grove Raceway defeated Spencer Speedway Snowmobile rider Greg Filmore. US 13 Rick
Passwaters, who beat last year’s winner Dennis Weimer from Keystone Raceway, won
street ET.
The 1999 High School winner was Numidia Raceway’s Joshua Weller, who defeated
75-80’s Louie Romanell. The overall Team Championship went to Maple Grove Raceway.
The final stop on the merry-go-round is the PA Dutch Classic at Maple Grove Raceway.
This race is a popular one with racers from across the continent searching for that
"good air" that Maple Grove is known for. Thursday during blustery winds, the
track held a test and tune for those who wanted to get a feel for the conditions. Friday
morning time trial began and the Stock and Super Stock Record Attempt lanes were very
crowded. Needless to say, there were quite a few NHRA National Records set. The Top 8 and
Super Slam Racers were originally scheduled for Saturday, but were cancelled so we could
run first round eliminations of all categories due to the forecast for Sunday. Saturday
was completed without any major problems. Sunday we got started late, but in decent shape,
and finished the race by 2:30 p.m. It rained at about 6:00 p.m. – long after everyone
had left the grounds. The finalists were Greg Kozera defeating Chip Banney, Jr. in Comp.
Mike Good took the win in Super Stock over Merle Eschman. Tom Baird defeated Mark
Dickerson to earn his first victory in Stock. Paul Naumenko won his second consecutive
National Open by defeating Chris Camplone in Super Comp. Derek Clark won his first event
by defeating Barbara Harrison in Super Gas. Clayton Byerly drove around John Maggiulli to
take the Super Street Trophy. Thanks to George Case and the Crew from Maple Grove Raceway
for three days of impeccable racing.
Bob Lang, Curt LaShure, and myself would like to personally thank the racers and their
crews, sponsors, Northeast Division Certification Team, NHRA Member Tracks, and everyone
involved for making 1999 a successful year. Even though the weather finally caught up to
us, we are very optimistic that the year 2000 will be the biggest and best we in the NHRA
Northeast Division have ever had. Good luck to everyone and Happy Holidays. We will see
you at the Banquet!
Listed Below are the 1999 NHRA Northeast Division Champions.
Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series
Federal-Mogul Dragster Ron Still
Federal Mogul Funny Car Frank Manzo
Competition Eliminator Dave Northrop
Super Stock Dan Fletcher
Stock Peter Biondo
Super Comp John Bruzzo
Super Gas Dan Northrop
Super Street Mike Giuliano
Sears Craftsman ET Series
Super Pro Rich Rogge
Heavy George Martinelli
Bike/Sled Tom Sheidy
Street Rick Passwaters
High School Joshua Weller
Junior Drag Racing League
8-9 yr. Old Jacob Hunsaker
10-11 yr. Old Alexa Lorenzo
12-13 yr. Old Scott Hakucsa
14-17 yr. Old Phillip Truitt
2000 Federal-Mogul Allstar Team
Federal-Mogul Dragster Ron Still
Federal-Mogul Funny Car Frank Manzo
Comp Eliminator Dave Northrop
Super Stock Lincoln Morehead
Stock Peter Biondo
Super Comp John Bruzzo
Super Gas Jim Smulligan
Super Street Billy Curtin
Super Stock Blocker Dan Fletcher
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