Drag Racing Action Online

Images Rob Keister

The first week in August featured the 5th and 6th series race for the Mid Atlantic Super Series racers. The event, known as the Uncle Buck Pig Roast, was enjoying its 31st year and featured the .90 classes along with Top Dragster, Top Sportsman and Jr Dragster. And if that wasn’t enough, the Mid Atlantic Stock/Super Stock Association was on hand with wheel standing door car action throughout the weekend.

The weather forecast for the weekend didn’t look the best, but the rain held off enough to get the race in the books. In fact, after each day’s racing was finished, the rain hit the area with a vengeance but by then, all the cars were in their trailers and the racers were enjoying time together including the annual Uncle Buck Pig Roast on Saturday.

Saturday’s winners featured Philadelphia racer Frank Lauria taking his dragster to a win in Super Comp over the broken car of Darren Mattern. Earlier Lauria beat series regular Phil Mollichella and Mattern took out transmission specialist Ken Moses.

“We had a bad 2023 and at the end of the season, though it was electrical,” Lauria said.

“So, over the winter we rewired the car came out to the .90 race at Maple Grove and still had the same problem.  Thanks to Kenny Moses as he found the problem and we raced this weekend and won the Saturday race. It was great and now I got that monkey off my back.”

The Super Gas finals on Saturday had two of the veterans of the .90 series facing each other for the trophy. Tom Goldman from Allentown Pa in his sharp ’58 Corvette roadster up against Alpine N.J. racer Charlie Yannetti driving his ’27 Ford roadster. Yannetti was first off the line with a 0.020 reaction time to Goldman’s 0.047 but at the stripe it was Goldman’s 9.924 beating the breaking out 9.871 of Yannetti.

“After years of trying to win this trophy there are many people to thank for putting on this great race,” Goldman said after the win.  “First Rob Keister and the Mid Atlantic .90 Association, Jim Halsey and the Cecil County crew for having the best Sportsman Dragstrip in The Country!!, George and Linda Cantler Donhauser and the entire Bel Air Moose Lodge crew for hosting the fantastic pig roast every year.”

“And of course the best crew out there, Kathy Purcell and Don Bangs. And thanks to POR-15, and Jason Anagnostis for the guaranteed purse”

Runner up Yannetti never at a loss for words said after being on the losing end of the race, “We had a great car, on a great track at Cecil County Dragway. Crew Chief, Elise Kaiser, was putting Swift Justice on 9.90 runs repeatedly. Unfortunately, we didn’t take into consideration that short cool downtimes would keep the converter hot, and therefore faster. I got the light against an always tough Tom Goldman, but picked up too much performance on the run, breaking out, and handing Tom the SG crown on Saturday”

Neville, far lane, beat recent MD winner Stoker in Saturday’s S/ST finals

It was Jay Neville from Franklinville N.J. in his ageless ’79 Camaro against the ’69 Camaro of Jeremy Stoker from nearby Elkton MD in the finals of Super Street. Stoker who had a Super Street win just a few weeks ago at Mason Dixon, got off the line second with a 0.030 light and it was Neville’s 0.001 RT that essentially locked Stoker out of a win as Neville cruised to a 10.925 to Stoker’s breaking out 10.892.  

After his win at Cecil, Jay said, “This past weekend I drove the Deguara Neville Super Street Camaro to a double up victory. The toughest round in Saturday’s race was the final round. I was up against the Camaro driven by Jeremy Stoker. To me, he easily went through the field, and I was worried. He was 0.030 and went under by a few thousandths. I was 0.001 and ran a 92.”

“It was so hot I was feeling sick and wasn’t sure I could stay hydrated. My wife Dee was with me every step even helping to get the car ready between rounds. She gave me ice packs and cold towels to keep me cool. The car ran flawlessly, and I’d like to thank Merkel Engines from NY. For such a consistent running engine. My partner and sponsor Joe Deguara is the best there is and he helps me by text, keeping me calm and prepared. A special thanks to my Pennco Tech students that made the trip to support me.”

In Top Sportsman Mike Grafas in his gorgeous ’63 Corvette beat the ’68 Camaro of Joe Heffernan in the finals. Grafas, from Brick N.J had the better light and won with a 4.517 on a 4.50 dial to Heffernan, from Aston Pa. posted a losing 4.648 on a 4.62 dial.

“It’s an awesome and very fun/well organized series,” Grafas said. “Rob does a great job along with Dana and Ashley. I remember paying the entry and saying ‘I have a good feeling about today’ never thought I was going to win. New car to me that I only had out a few times, new carburetors that I was still figuring out.”

“Car was going left at the hit a little bit but decided not to play with the chassis which obviously paid off. Best part about the win was hugging my father on the return road, that alone made the whole day worth it.”

On the Top Dragster side, it was former Jegs Allstar Scott Luken from Perry Hall MD up against Paul Kelly from Shamong NJ. Luken was off the line first with a great 0.013 light to Kelly’s 0.034 and hung on for the win with a 4.022 on his 3.99 dial as Kelly lost with a better but later 4.544 on his 4.53 dial.

In the finals of Top Dragster vs Top Sportsman both drivers were deadly on the tree with Luken second best with a 0.003 to Grafas’ dead on 0.000.  Luken dialed in at 3.99 and ran a losing 4.008 to Grafas’ 4.494 on a 4.48 dial. It was a race won on the starting line.

After winning the combo runoff, Grafas said,” I got to the top end and said ‘don’t lift, don’t lift.’  Didn’t see him so I womped it twice and win light came on. I remember throwing my fist in the air and the guy on the return road was cheering me on.”

Ferrucci, far lane, beat Baker’s Mopar in the finals on Saturday

The Mid Atlantic Stock/Super Stock Association final was Frank Ferrucci‘s J/SA ‘90 Camaro over Thomas Baker D/SA ‘70 Duster. Baker, from Kingsville MD was not too quick off the line with a 0.123 light but Ferrucci was even tardier with a 0.146 RT. In a double breakout it was Ferrucci winning with a 11.582 on a 11.60 dial to Baker’s 10.683 on his 10.73 dial. You could say the race was won on the starting line but that would be a stretch!

“Be thankful for the gifts you are given.” Said Ferrucci after his win.  “With the East Coast Stock / Super Stock Association retiring we lost a great venue for competition and development. Rob Keister and his people along with a group of sponsors decided to try their own series Mid-Atlantic Stock / Super Stock Series using the same format.”

“Even though I was on hiatus for 5 years I was paying close attention to what was happening. We racers are all thankful for the new venue will support the series as fully as we can. The 1st race of the new series was #4 for me in 5 years. I had not made a pass since The Dutch 2018.

“To say the least, the driver is rusty, the tuner needs to catch up. With slow progress and 1st round losses not unexpected I went to Cecil with the threatening weather to support the new series. Figured either it would rain out or the Cecil staff would do everything they could to complete the event. My expectations were not high, rust is reality. For this race my driving was starting to come around but still not up to where it will be. Decided to just trust the car since the tune with a new fuel system started 6 years ago was coming around. As for driving just try to do my best which tuned into a win. The final was not pretty with the weather making a change and running hard all day to get the race done. While waiting for the winner circle photo Tom Baker came by, we had a good laugh about how both of us sucked in the final. Am honored to be the 1st winner of the new series which hopefully will endure for many years.”

“What I did not initially realize until seeing a post by Tommy Goldman SG winner the Uncle Buck Pig Trophy is coveted by the .90 racers. 2 more great gifts!”

“The Mid Atlantic Stock/Super Stock Association had a fun filled inaugural weekend with a great group of racers vying for a generous payout thanks to the awesome support of our sponsors,” said Super Stock/Stock racer, promoter and podcaster Bobby Fazio.

“Hoopes Fire Equipment, Kenwood Welding & Metalizing, Oakes Landscaping, Draginsights.com, Pete’s Cycles, McNasby Zane Drag Racing School, and A.A.D Construction are on board.”

“Despite a non-favorable forecast, Cecil County Dragway lived up to its reputation of having one of the finest starting line crews and track surfaces in the country. Thanks to them and the cooperation from our racers, we were able to efficiently finish the program both days before the rains came. I had a blast on the mic announcing the category as well as live-streaming the entire event.” Fazio’s website can be reached at DriverInterviews.com 

Saturday’s Jr’s final went down to Julius Schonberger against Kole Paone. Schonberger who calls Philadelphia home took the easy win as Paone, from Egg Harbor NJ. left too soon lighting the big red bulb.

After a night of partying at the Uncle Buck’s Pig Roast, Sunday dawned, and a new day of racing got underway.

Stricker, far lane, drove his daughter Kara’s dragster to a Sunday win at Cecil

In Super Comp, Mohnton Pa. racer Jeff Stricker drove a borrowed car to the win over Anthony Barrett from Bayville NY. After five hard rounds, Stricker had a wee lead off the line with a 0.023 light to Barrett’s close 0.027 and it made all the difference at the stripe. Stricker clicked the win light with a 8.921 to the better 8.918 of Barrett.

“After a 15 yr. hiatus I got back into racing two years ago,” Stricker said. “My last win was 30 years ago, which made this weekend special. My good friend Don Mattson was racing my car, and I was racing my daughter Kara’s car.”

“I must give all the credit to my wife Kim for getting me to the finals and Don to the semi’s. She fought computer gremlins all weekend but always had us dialed. Without her hard work it would have been difficult. I’d like to dedicate the win to Dave Stine who built the car for Kara (he passed in 2021).”

“Thanks also to my little brother Joey Cambria for moral support. Special thanks to Lee Ream/C2 Competition; David Barton/Ray Barton Race Engines; Hank Smith/Awesome Race Car Wraps and Joey D transmissions. Thanks also to the Cecil County crew and Jim Halsey for giving us a great racetrack, Rob Keister for the .90 Series and Fuel Factory for sponsoring the series.”

Although he didn’t win any of the races during the weekend Bill Hardifer left Cecil in first place in S/C

The standings in Fuel Factory Super Comp after Uncle Buck are Bill Hardifer in first, Saturday runner up Tony Barrett holding second and Don Bangs third.

In Super Gas Clear Springs MD racer Derek Clark took his unique Olds Cutlass roadster to a win over points leader Keith Mayers in the finals at Cecil. Mayers, from Ellendale Del. got off the line first with a great 0.010 light in his Quadrafollio convertible as Clark was right behind with a 0.025. On the top end it was Clark taking the win with a 9.913 to Mayers breaking out 9.895.

Clark got a bye in the quarterfinals and in the semis had one of his best laps against multi time winner Iggie Boicesco. Clark had a 0.012 light to Boicesco’s 0.035 and won with a 9.912 to Iggie’s better, but later right on with a two, 9.902. Ouch. Mayers beat a red lighting George Stack to get to the finals.

“Great weekend of racing. Semi Final finish to Saturday’s winner and always tough Tom Goldman, then, come out Sunday as #1 Qualifier, and work through some heavy hitters to win the race,” Clark said after his win. “Awesome to share this with my son, Ryan as he was my crew chief for the last few races and did a great job. Dexter Evans came out of retirement, and Mike Holland was in my ear all day, keeping me calm and keeping track of the “ little details” And a bonus, I finally got me a Piggy trophy after trying for soooooo many years. It’s a very special trophy to me as I grew up in Bel Air with Uncle Buck and the Donhauser crew 40+ years.”

“After the finals Mayers told me that the car picked up, he was slowly backing into me. And right at the 1st mile hour cone, I could not take the stripe, I saw him drop hard. So, I dropped with him and decided to let him go, which worked out. And I took him out first round Saturday. Which was a good point swing for me. Then I went .001 red in the finish of the Maple Grove race, final. UGG, and then that final on Sunday, was the third time we raced each other that weekend. I got him two out of three times. And FYI gave him the other one with the red light. Mayers a tough racer. he makes me get up on the wheel.”

“Awesome job by Rob Keister and the .90 crew. Great job from the complete crew of Cecil County Dragway. Track was spot on. Thank you, Lisa Bolden-Clark, for supporting me for so many years. These are memories etched in for life.”

Clark left the Cecil race firmly in second place with Saturday’s winner Goldman in third.

Neville made it look easy at Cecil winning two days straight

Slatington Pa. racer Scott Lang’s Chevy Nova was on the losing end of Jay Neville’s second win of the weekend in Super Street. Lang, who had been cutting excellent light throughout eliminations, left -0.001 too soon handing the Franklinville NJ driver has second trip to the winner’s circle for the weekend.

Lang did leave the track with the lead in Fuel Factory Super Street with Neville second and Stoker in third place.

Sunday’s Top Sportsman finals went down to Joe “Paco” Ithier in his Monza against Saturday’s runner up Joe Heffernan’s Camaro. Ithier dialed his Chevy in at a 5.22 and ran a nearly right on 5.228 to Heffernan’s 4.627 on a 4.58 dial.

Saturday’s Top Dragster runner up Paul Kelly kept his streak going with another 2nd best finish losing to local racer Jason Barrow in the finals. Kelly ran closer to his 4.52 dial with a 4.528 but Barrow had the better light and won with a slower 4.481 on his 4.47 dial.

In the Top Dragster/Sportsman combo final Ithier dialed in at a 5.22 and broke out with a 5.203 as Barrow was right on his dial with a 4.477 on a 4.77.  

Sunday’s Mid Atlantic Stock/Super Stock Association final had long time competitors Todd Hoven in his D/SA Firebird up against Kevin Fogerty Jr driving his G/SA ‘67 Camaro.

Fogerty went -0.001 red giving Hoven the win.

“I don’t get to drive this car too often because of my previous commitments,” Hoven said.  “I work on Jesse Alexandria‘s FX team, and I also drive Al Carp’s Dodge Coronet in NHRA stock eliminator. This weekend was a perfect opportunity to get out with and race my car. I had a lot of fun and it was neat to get the first win with the car in a long time.”

“The last race I won in this car was the NHRA Division 1 race in 2016 right here in Cecil County. Bob and the Mid Atlantic Association did a great job and were very gracious to bring us stock and superstock racers aboard with their guys and give us a venue to race outside of the NHRA national and Division scene. It was a well-organized, well run and a lot of fun to participate in. I can’t wait to do it again in the fall”

The juniors went down to Gabby Maclosky from Jackson NJ against Austin Ecks from Quarryville Pa. the race was over quickly as Ecks left the line too soon handing Maclosky the win.

After the race, Mid Atlantic president Rob Keister said, “The Annual tradition known at the Uncle Buck Pig Roast has grown leaps and bounds over the past few years, what started as George Donhausers long time Crew Chief Ronnie Harple throwing a pig on the grill for the local Super Gas club has now grown leaps and bounds to include Juniors, .90, Top Sportsman & Dragster and now Stock/SS to the mix. 31 years we have been putting together this annual get together of racers and it keeps growing and growing, the Donhausers & Bel Air Moose Lodge do such an awesome job of catering to the racers, and we had hopes of this being the biggest one in its history but Mother Nature has other ideas as we were dodging raindrops and lightning bolts. We can’t thank them enough for all the support they have shown the club over the years and look forward to many more years to come at Cecil County.”

“The action on the track was just as hot with some close and exciting racing in all the classes, Chad Porter & Anthony Frassetto had the track in great shape while track owner Jim Halsey was out in Michigan for a PDRA event. With all the rain that fell from Friday Night till we left on Sunday, I can say not many tracks you see someone at midnight on the tractor sweeping water off the track the minute it decided to stop raining so they could have the track in great shape and ready to start on time the next day, Hats off to the Cecil Crew on a job well done, sometimes these guys are the unsung heroes of the racetrack on a hot and muggy day. Congrats to all the winners this past weekend as we had all the winners be first time recipients of the Piggy trophy at day’s end! We have one more race to go and it’s going to be a barn burner to see who will be the champion at weekend’s end.” 

The next race on the schedule is the Fall Finale at Cecil County September 7- 8