Story Phil Hutchison Drag Racing Action Online

Images Bob Reed

The sights and sounds of Nostalgia Funny Cars filled the air at the 18th annual Good Vibrations Motorsports Funny Car Nationals at Keystone Raceway Park. The track, located in New Alexandria, Pennsylvania booked in some of the quickest and wildest alcohol cars on the East Coast and the racers did not disappoint the crowd.

After two rounds of 1000’ racing the finals were decided with Matt Stambaugh in the Generation X ’74 Vega up against the wild ’53 Vette of JJ Mihaly.

In one of the closest races of the weekend, Mihaly, who was making his first time appearance in the Corvette, overcame Stambaugh’s better reaction time and took the win with a 5.72 to the losing 5.81 of Stambaugh.

“This was our debut event for me as a driver as well as for the team, so to come away with a win was unbelievable,” Mihaly said. “This is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little kid watching my dad race funny cars. Everyone just put in tireless work leading up to, and during the event.

“Really want to thank my Dad (who is my hero) and my Crew Chief Brandon Blackshear. They are instrumental in the success of this car. I want to thank the rest of the crew as well: Brad Blackshear, Troy Walsh, Brian Krepps. It takes a whole team to be successful.”

The winning car is a thing of beauty and a crowd pleaser. The ’53 Corvette body is only one of two ever made with the second in a museum. The 526 blown hemi utilizes a BAE block, Veney heads, a Kobelco 14-71 supercharger to get the fuel into the motor. And a Molinari clutch and Lenco Trans.

In addition to all the action on the track, there were special awards handed out with Good Vibrations presidents Jim and James Maher being recognized for their support of the event with the Forever Grateful Award.

Best Appearing Car went to the Cape Codder driven by Jon Wall.

Chris Massarella in his Total Insanity Monza claimed the Best Burnout award

Long time supporter Jack Redd received a Lifetime achievement award and Patty Stiso from the John Cerchio’s War Path team was given the Team Spirit award and finally Pete Mauriello was awarded the Super Hero Crew Chief.

Total Insanity owner/driver and winner of the burnout award Chris Massarella said after the event, “Huge thank you to Greg Miller Jim Maher and James Maher for all they do for this event.  Thanks also go to Good Vibrations and Daryl Arnold for putting up the burnout contest award(honorable mention to Pete Mauriello). Very appreciated! Can’t wait for next year’s event! Thank you to my crew for the day, Vincent and Ralph Striglia, and to Wade King for some help on the line.