Shown, from the Left - Bobby Spence � 13 Yr. Old Timmy DiIorio � 8-9 yr. Old � Repeat Winner  John Ciccarone � 12 Yr. Old with George Case, from Maple Grove Raceway

8- 9 Yr. Old � Holly Goldman Old Bridge Twp. Raceway Park
10-11 Yr. Old � Eric Peterka Maple Grove Raceway
12-13 Yr. Old � Mandi Markward  Maple Grove Raceway
14-17 Yr. Old � Zeph Mull Cecil County Dragway

2001 marked the 26th year for the NHRA Summit ET Series in the Northeast Division.

Luzerne County Community College Scholarship Awards - Presented to: Jim Stack and Tommy Roth.

Two $500 Scholarships to the LCCC Motorsports Program are being presented this evening. One in the name of the NHRA Northeast Division and one in the Memory of Al Brown.

Joe receives a $1000 Bond and his school also receives a $1000 check, presented by LCCC and the NED Track Operators. Eliminator Winners Each receive NHRA Trophy, Gold Card, Jacket, and Specially designed ring. The winners were also eligible to go to the AAA of Southern CA NHRA Finals. All the winners went to the Event with the exception of Super Pro winner, Brian Crump, who was unable to attend. Jacob Meinert of Keystone Raceway took his place and scored a semi-final finish. In Motorcycle, Jack Podkowka scored a semi-final finish as well. The Heavy winner, Mike Larose, continued his success by taking home the National Pro Title. Dennis Parisan scored a runner-up in the Sportsman category to finish off his sensational rookie season.

2001 marked the 2^nd year in which points were accumulated towards championships at the Northeast Division Open Series Events. For 2002, we are excited to announce the growth of the series to four events. Lebanon Valley Dragway joins the fray with an Open Series Event in May of 2002. The Champions for 2001 are:

Super Street � Steve Feller Runner-up -- Earl Nichols

After being drafted in 1956 for a two-year stint in the Army, he built his first Chassis Research Dragster in 1958. Ran the car until 1962. Held various track records at:

Vineland Speedway Atco Dragway

Island Dragway Vargo Dragway

Capital Raceway 1961 Daytona Beach Speed Week � @176 MPH

First Car on East Coast to use Parachute

1962 built Chassis Research Dragster and installed 2 Hemi engines in it. Won best Appearance and Performance.

1962 bought Connie Kalitta Bounty Hunter

Records � 15 Track records in 63-64 from Orange, MA. To Miami, FL.

ET � 8.21 @ 191 MPH

Ran car until 1965

1968 Bought Ken Fuller Chassis and installed Supercharged 426 Hemi. Ran 11 Dragster circuit with Eric Fooder as Driver. Raced from Canada to Florida held record of 7.6 @200 MPH.

William "Biddy" Winward�s career in Drag Racing began in the Late 1950�s and lasted into the 1970�s. Biddy became well known for his engine skill up and down the East Coast. He owned and operated several Speed and Machine Shops.

During that time period, Biddy had a string of Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars. They were all known as Brief Encounter. He had four Don Garlits Chassis�,a Don Long Chassis, and a Woody Gilmore Chassis. After great success in Top Fuel, Biddy switched to Funny Car. He bought the Tasca Ford SOHC Mustang, which was later destroyed by fire. He then bought Big John Mazmanian�s Funny Car, which he campaigned for several years, winning many races.

Biddy�s list of drivers included Don Garlits, Bob Cassiday, Walt Kinsley, Ray Marsh, and Joe Jacono. In 1963 Biddy & Bob Cassiday bought a front engine Top Gas Dragster from Don Garlits. Don drove the car for them at the US National at Indy winning the Class.

In 1964, Biddy�s dragster was the Eastern Drag News Mr. Top Dog Eliminator, which was presented at the Drag Racing Banquet in Washington, D.C. In 1966 Biddy was awarded the National Point Champion NO. 1 Eliminator Mechanic Trophy.

In 1989, Biddy, who could not stay away from racing teamed up with B & F Racing to field a Sprint Car. His accomplishments in United Racing Club included:

4 URC Championships, 41 Feature wins, 1991 Checkered Fan Club Mechanic of the Year

1991, 1992, 1994 URC Mechanic of the Year.

Biddy retired from active racing after 1995. He still builds motors for several Sprint Car Teams.

AL Brown Accepting Al's induction in the Northeast Division Hall of Fame is his Son Tom and his Wife Phyllis, from NED Bob Lang.  Al's Daughter Stephanie, Son in Law Rick and Grandson TJ were in attendance to share in this moment.  And a proud moment it was for the family as the award was given in front of a standing ovation.

Al passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2001. He lost a hard battle with cancer. Even up to his last hours, Al was hoping to get back to the races with us and of course attend his traditional race at Indy.

To Al, the BIG GO was a way of life. He began this trip with the first running of the NHRA Nationals in Great Bend Kansas. In that first event Al competed in the Open Dragster class with a Harley-Davidson powered, chain driven �35 Crosley. He competed in that one and every one since � until this year. He is the only driver in NHRA history who attended all 46 events. This year his wife Phyllis and stepdaughter Stephanie made the trip to Indy in Al�s honor to continue the tradition.

Al was born 67 years ago in Rochester, NH. He later moved to New Jersey and then on to Maryland. He was retired from the U.S. Army Civilian Technician after 35 years of service. A charter member of the National Hot Rod Association for 50 years. He was a past technical director for the Good Guys Vintage Racing Association.

Al worked with the NHRA Northeast Division and the National Event staffs for many years. He was part of the committee that set up the first Motorsports Education program at Luzerne County Community College. He taught classes there in Motorsports Safety and worked many Youth and Education days at National Events for the NHRA. He was asked to help produce the first few of the California Hot Rod Reunions � a task he took to with great relish.

Al also was instrumental in the building and the operation of Island Dragway. From the first stages of planning he was involved. Making trips to the town board meeting and helping to lay out the plans. He was there to begin construction and helped with managing the track and even ran his car there in shows. His ISLAND DRAGWAY famous corvair Funny Car is currently being restored by Bruce Larson.

His latest venture was helping to provide many of our racers with chassis certification. He traveled all over the Northeast trying to help get this enormous job done. He worked most of the Northeast Division events and many NHRA National events. He would staff shows to promote NHRA Drag Racing and loved the trip annually to the PRI show. Al was a real people person and a very kind man, always ready with a kind word or to just share in a story.

He could be seen along the tracks taking video as he also produced the annual Northeast Division Year in Review video played at the banquets. He spent unknown hours splicing and editing for the enjoyment of those attending the affair and celebrating their championships. Behind the scenes he would work with the DJ�s and the production staff from the facilities to make every detail appropriate for the participants.

Over the years he has made many friends along the way and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.

Richard Napp Sr., who along with his late brother, Vinnie, helped create the success story that is Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, passed away in the early hours of Dec. 27. Napp, 63, died just 14 months after his brother, of the same exact form of deadly cancer.

Since opening in July of 1965, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, then known as Madison Township Raceway Park, has been one of drag racing's premier facilities. Conceived by Vincent and Louis Napoliello and Vincent's sons, Vincent Jr. and Richard, the facility introduced major-league drag racing to the New York metropolitan area.

The track hosted the NHRA Springnationals for one season, in 1968, and in 1971 the NHRA awarded Raceway Park the NHRA Summernationals. Fan response the first year was tremendous with more than 85,000 people jamming the track for the record setting event. The rest is history as the Mopar Parts Summernationals continued to grow, as did Raceway Park. So much so that the Summernationals were moved to May to accommodate race fans with more pleasant spring weather. The event was also renamed the Matco Tools Spring SuperNationals.

Despite the untimely passing of Vincent in December 1969 and Louis in September 1983, the enthusiasm born in 1965 continued with each passing season as the brothers elevated the facility to legendary status.

Napp is survived by his children, Richard, Michael, James, Robert, and Laura, and four grandchildren.

Bozzelli � 3^rd Division Championship