Phil Hutchison Drag Racing Action Online Images: David Smith and Phil Hutchison
The recent NHRA Division One awards banquet at the Kalahari Resort and Conference center in the Pennsylvania Poconos featured awards handed out to all of the racers that won their eliminator during the 2025 season. Junior Dragster, Summit ET racers along with individual awards were handed out during the evening’s festivities but the biggest part of the evening was dedicated to the Lucas Oil Sportsman champions. The Lucas Sportsman are considered the backbone of the NHRA, and thousands of men and woman compete in seven NHRA divisions to determine winners in a variety of NHRA Sportsman classes. The Northeast Division Lucas Oil Division winners for 2025 are:
Super Street Thomas Amorosi
Amorosi had a great year in 2025 winning at Maple Grove and Numidia and went enough rounds at the other Lucas Oil events to take his first ever NED title.
Amorosi said after his division title, “The season started out with the win at Maple Grove, got there late was stuck out in the mud field after all rain we had. My weather station was out had to use online weather, but I got the win.”
“At Lebanon Valley I went out early. And at the first race of a double header at Numidia, again, I went out early. At the second Numidia later in the weekend, I was dead on 10.90 and .005 on tree qualifying and felt good going into eliminations and then they pushed our race to Sunday after telling us we were running Saturday I went to tower to voice my opinion. I was mad and ready to pack up but the Fetch family and the Robilottos talked me into staying.
As it worked out, I ended up beating defending 2024 Super Street champ Shawn Fricke in the first round. Then Keith Mayers and Neil Vacaro. In the finals I beat Michael Epprecht for the win. It was a tough field, but I got the win”
“Next, I went to Epping and the Nova got hit in the staging lanes. Patched it up at Dave Sano’s shop.”
“Then it was the double at Virginia where I went to the quarters and semis. Had to go to Rockingham to seal the division by one point. But I had great time at banquet.”
Looking back to the Numidia win Amorosi’s quarter final win over Keith Mayers might have made the difference in who won the division as Mayers was the racer that was one point back of Amorosi.
Super Gas Josh Eastburn
After a slow start, the Newark DE driver got it together winning both VMP events and the race at his home track Cecil County. Eastburn took the D1 title by 50 points over defending champ Keith Mayers.
Eastburn who was in Mexico at his sister Jessca’s wedding and did not make the NED party said, “This season was definitely one for the books,”
“Mid-season we purchased an RJ Cutlass from my buddy Bob Caldwell and put one of our spare motors in it and got lots of win lights from there. First race out went to the 4th round, semi finish next and 3 wins in a row. All those round wins were enough to win the Super Gas Championship.”
Super Comp Jason Kenny
Long time Pro Sportsman racer Jason Kenny who calls Kutztown PA home was busy having his first baby, was not on hand in the Poconos. Kenny parlayed his win at the season opener at Maple Grove along with runner ups at Numidia and Brainerd to take the 2025 NED title
“It was easily the greatest divisional season of my career. And oddly enough, it paired with the worst national season of my career,” Kenny said. “While I made it to 5 divisional final rounds … I also went 1-5 in 1st rounds at national events, with my sole 1st round win being at Indy against Austin Williams.
“Just an odd year. I was bummed to miss the banquet. I think I’ve attended them all the past 20 years. Always a fun party!”
Kenny adds, “My wife Ashely and baby Kyle are doing well.”
Stock Bubba Linke
Bubba had a great year in Stock eliminator taking runner ups at Numidia and VMP’s first event along with winning the rained out VMP final at the Dutch put Bubba in the top spot for 2025. These wins, along with a national event win at zMAX in April had Linke #1 in the Lucas Oil championship. And in perfect Bubba fashion, he had a cold beer in his had heading up to receive his three awards during the night.
“I want to thank mom and dad, my son Blake,” Bubba says after his win. “And my girlfriend Ashlee. Grandmom, Uncle Doug, Shane and Sarah Oakes, Warren from Warren Engines. Jack and Katie Sepanek, Jason Coan, Bryan Valentine and Rich Fetch from Zep Products.”
“When they called my name at the banquet,” adds the Old Bridge NJ driver, “I thought it was for the Division title, I wasn’t paying a lot of attention, and the award was for NED Driver of the Year. I wasn’t prepared for that and just said a few words. Then my name was called for my NHRA National Championship and again I was prepared for the D1 title and used that speech. Later when I went up to accept the division title, I just said ‘Ditto’. That was it. I pretty much thanked everybody again.”
Super Stock Pete D’Agnolo
D’Agnolo from Rochester NY. used a win and a runner up at the Norwalk OH double Lucas Oil event to propel him to the 2025 NED title.
Competition Eliminator Joe Carnasciale
Ashaway RI. Racer Joe Carnasciale drove his I/SMA Chevy to four Lucas divisional wins on his way to the D1 title.
“This season was my best yet,” said Carnasciale. “I was in 6 final rounds and won 4 of them. D1 champ and 3rd in the Lucas Oil national championship hunt.”
“For years we (dad and me) have battled it out with some of the best guys in the sport. Getting my ass kicked from champions like Biondo, Szupka, Eckel, Doug Doll, and the late great Frankie Aragona.”
“Cutting double 00 lights and taking CIC hits for the win or lose weekend after weekend. With ever run against these guys you either find a new way to lose or become a better racer gets you up here on the stage.”
Top Alcohol Funny Car Phil Esz
Amelia Ohio racer Phil Esz ran at four East Regional events in 2025 winning three in the process. His closest competition, Wayne Morris from Lincoln University PA was a distant 100 points behind.
Top Alcohol Dragster Jackie Fricke
T/AD was a little more competitive than TA/FC with 13 drivers claiming the East as home. Flemington NJ’s Jackie Fricke successfully defended her 2024 title. Fricke had wins in Louisianna, Lebanon Valley NY, and Epping NH on her way to what was her historic 6th NED title.
Top Dragster Jessica Eastburn
Newark DE racer Jessica Eastburn won her first ever championship taking the Top Dragster title in the blown Hoopes Fire Prevention dragster. Eastburn joins 2010 Top Sportsman champ Tara Stricker in the list of former T/D D1 champs. Only the second woman in D1 history.
Eastburn won the division by over 100 points to her nearest competition Chuck Krepela. During the 2025 season, Eastburn won Lucas events at Norwalk, Numidia, Brainerd, and capped the season off with a win at her local track, Cecil County.
Then with the Lucas Oil national championship in her sights, the team took the dragster to the West Coast for the final events of the year losing the title by less than a round to eventual winner Casey Plaizer.
“We came into this season without huge expectations,” Eastburn said. “It was a full rebuild over the winter, and we were still sorting things out when the year started. We weren’t ready for Gainesville, and breaking on the starting line third round at Charlotte definitely wasn’t the momentum we had in mind.”
“But mid-season, it clicked. We made a strong push and won four Lucas Oil races, and that stretch changed everything. I had more fun this year than I expected — and learned more than ever about the car, the class, and what it really takes to win. I’m lucky to have incredibly sharp people in my corner.”
“Friends like Shawn Langdon who’ve taught me the details that separate good from great — not just behind the wheel, but in every part of this sport. Our trip out west didn’t end the way we wanted. That part stung. But we finished the season proud of the work, the growth, and the fight. Really excited to see what happens in 2026
Top Sportsman Jeff Brooks
Fredricksburg VA racer Jeff Brooks drove the Kaeser Compressor Henry J to the D1 title on the strength of two Lucas Divisional wins and late round finishes in the 2025 season.
JEB Four Racing had a great 2025 season,” says Brooks. “We were in four finals this year. (3 Divisional and 1 National) Our friend and competitor, Mike Daniele, had a great start to the season and a big lead. We mounted a late season charge, with wins in Virginia and Cecil County which secured our third NHRA D1 Championship.”
“Our Dad passed away in July, so it has been bittersweet celebrating this year’s success without him. This is also our 30th year with Kaeser Compressors as our sponsor, always supporting us, we would never have this success without them.
“The car was amazing all season. My crew chief and brother Jamie had the car dialed in and all I had to do was let go the button on time. Drag racing is very tough and humbling sport. It’s an amazing feeling when a goal is achieved.”
“Feels great to be a 3X D1 Top Sportsman Champion, 3X National Event winner and 14x NHRA Divisional winner with 3 different cars all with 1951 Henry J bodies.”
“Thanks to Kaeser Compressors, Royal Purple, Weaver’s Transmission (Bernard Weaver), MSR Suspensions (Marc Smith), Sonny Leonard Racing Engines, Coan Torque Converters, Jerry Bickel Racecars, BigStuff, House of Payne Starters, VP racing fuels and Hoosier Tires. Big Thanks NHRA D1 staff and all the tracks. Look forward to chasing number 4 in 2026.”
