Story by John McCartney

Photos Steve Bell and John McCartney

Drag racing fans in the Northeast can tell summer is just around the corner when Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey kicks off its Nostalgia Racing series with the annual running of Nostalgia Spring Fling.

On a picture perfect day all sorts of cool old-time cars came pouring through the gates of Island Dragway. Dragsters, Blown Alterds, Door Cars, and NETO was on hand for this is a day when folks take that fun trip back in time. Back to a day when the sport of drag racing was made up car clubs and folks who just wanted to come out to the drag strip to have fun with their fellow Hot Rodders.

A special attraction was added to the Island Dragway Spring Fling thanks to the hard work of Island track photographer Steve Bell. What was called Alteredcation at Island. In this vintage style match race featured Jim Danko in his Bustin Loose taking on Troy Leibi in his Aftermath. Wild side by side burnout and racing action thrilled everyone on hand.

In addition to these two doing battle a couple of other vintage style race cars where on hand doing some testing and tuning. Mike Geroni in the Geroni family altered laid down some smokey burnouts as well. The Laughing Gas Cuda funny car of Andy Good spent the day making some passes just like in the old days when funny cars would show up at a track to work out the bugs.

Brian Clark took his Firebird to a Nostalgia 2 win

The Mustang of James Arata was Nostalgia 1 Champ

Scott Embley drove his Chevy to a Nostalgia 3 title 

North East Timing Organization better known as NETO took to the Island drag strip as part of their yearlong points battle. On today the event was run in honor of John Lobasco hence the name John Lobasco Memorial. Lobasco passed away earlier this year so prior to the event getting underway a special ceremony was held on the starting line which was attended by many of Lobasco’s family and friends. 

In NETO Comp Jeff Donnelly who made a pass as part of the Lobasco ceremony took home the win over Cody Powell. While Powell finished in the runner up spot he took home the best reaction time in NETO Comp with a .019 light.

Over in NETO Nostalgia Frank Paradiso Jr. took home the win over Jim Trommelon. Roger Wright with his .006 light took home the best reaction time in NTO Nostalgia.  

In addition to all the NETO racing action and Match races. Island Dragway had several nostalgia classes all which were filled with great cool old gassers, muscle cars, dragsters so much great stuff.

Fans were treated to a great gathering of vintage hot rods and customs when they came in the gate. As these owners brought out some fun stuff for folks to check out. So with the Spring Fling in the books summer is just around the corner which means the Island Dragway Anniversary show featuring Funny Cars and other cool stuff will soon be here.

 

ISLAND DRAGWAY PHOTO GALLERY