Phil Hutchison Drag Racing Action Online

Images Phil Hutchison David Smith and Diane Kubicke

After a successful first Lucas race at the double header at Maryland Internationals Raceway, Division Director Mark Dawson, new Service Coordinator Steve Pospolita, Track owner Royce Miller and his crew were ready for Part Two of the weekend. Again, sunny and warm.

After two qualifying shots on Saturday, the decision was made to run as many rounds on Saturday afternoon to whittle down the field and make Sunday’s racing go smoother. With little or no down time on Saturday, Sunday’s eliminations went to plan, and the race was completed by noon.

Like the credit card commercial where the spokesperson says she wants double everything, Sunday, the second of the Lucas double featured three racers from Friday cashing in again taking their respective eliminators. There were nearly five repeat winners but more on that later.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR

Repeating as a Friday winner was Ashaway R.I. racer Joe Carnasciale in his I/SM ’06 Chevy Cavalier. His competition was the C/AA Cobalt of Nottingham Pa’s Tom Miller.

The semi final round was a rematch of Friday’s finals with Steve Szupka in his C/DA in the other lane. Both drivers are up for it and for the first time all weekend, Carnasciale is hit with a 0.10 CIC infraction for going too far below the index in the win as Szupka had handling issues on the top end.

Miller took a Competition Bye in the semis, saving parts and time for the finals against Carnasciale 

So now instead of a 9.48 index, Carnasciale was now working off a 9.38 giving his Miller a little more room to work with. Miller wasn’t  perfect in the CIC department. The Pennsylvania driver started off eliminations with a 7.85 index but took a 0.04 hit in his second round win over the H/SM Camaro of Steve Johnson putting him on a 7.81 index for the finals.

Miller’s Chevy was second off the line and with Carnasciale way out front with over a second head start, Miller wasn’t going to catch the Cavalier and slowed to a 7.52 as Carnasciale cruised to a -0.491 8.889 for his second win of the weekend.

“Race two was a little different than Friday’s race,” Carnasciale said. “I qualified on the pole with a first round bye. Second round I was able to get by with no CIC hit and then in the semi with a rematch of Friday’s final. Steve and I both clean on index hits. Both leave green, his car got loose top end and I went -60 for the win.”

“Final round was against another great team and friends. Tom Miller and the Slawco guys!! We both leave green, and I can see him coming in the mirror, then he wasn’t. he unfortunately had a parts failure and put me into the winner’s circle for the second time of the weekend.”

SUPER STOCK

Glade, near lane, was closer to his dial than Piccollo, but a bad light killed his chances for a win

It was a pair of red Pontiac Firebirds in the finals with Justin Picillo driving Eddie Bloom’s SS/BS ’85 Trans AM against the ‘98 Formula, SS/JA  of Pat Glade from Howell N.J.

Picillo from Cranston R.I. had the better light and ran a 9.407 on his 9.36 dial as Glade ran a better 10.04 on a 10.02 in a losing effort. The win at MIR was Picillo’s 9th Lucas win

“It feels really great to get a win this early in the Division One season, especially at a track that I had never been to,” Picillo said.  “None of this would be possible without Eddie Bloom. He provides me with an amazing race car that only required a front shock adjustment all weekend.”

“He is a great friend, mentor, and car owner. I would also like to thank my girlfriend Amy, my parents, my kids, Reid’s Automotive, Select Performance, John’s Racecraft, friends, family, and the entire D1/MIR staff.”

STOCK ELIMINATOR

Winning his second Lucas race of the weekend, Waretown N.J. racer Matt Lisa took his D/SA ’68 Camaro to a 5th career Lucas Oil title.

After a night of thrashing to replace the transmission in his Chevy after breaking in the finals on Friday night, Lisa was up against engine builder David Barton from Sinking Springs Pa. FS/C COPO Camaro in the final. Barton had a great 0.003 light but on the top end went under the 9.47 index with a 9.457 losing to the 10.814 on a 10.77 of Lisa.

Lisa brought out the broom for  his sweep at MIR

“For the second race, thanks go to my dad and Pat Glade,” Lisa said after the win. “We got the spare transmission in and were ready to roll. I stayed laser focused, felt like I couldn’t miss, and pulled off the sweep. Only a few people can say they’ve ever done it and I’m proud to join a pretty elite crowd.”

SUPER COMP

Friday Super Comp winner Phil Mollichella had a chance to be the fourth driver at MIR to score a double. All he had to do was defeat New Jersey racer Tom Stalba. Stalba who has more wins that we have fingers and toes was having none of that.

Stalba cut a 0.014 light and ran an 8.916 in his AA Auto Salvage car dashing Mollichella’s hope for a double. Mollichella ran an 8.936 in the loss. The win was Stalba’s 31st career Lucas win.

After the race, the Hammonton NJ. racer said, “The race that sticks out is my second round against Doug Doll. I was having trouble with the tree, but I thought I was hitting it ok. Come to find out I had a lot in my box and once I cleared it, I figured out it was the problem.”

Doll’s had a perfect 0.000 RT in his black dragster but Stalba was closer to the index 8.914 to Doll’s losing 8.954 for a win.

“I want to say I’m glad there are two wins at the race track. Racing and beating Doug Doll and winning the race. Doug had a triple zero light. Doug’s a smart racer and I changed it up a little and beat him. I didn’t start the race too good, but I finished it. So, it was a good round.”

 After R2 Stalba beat Nick Daniels and Charlie Garretson to get to meet Mollichella in the finals.

On his side of the ladder Mollichella took out Rob Hyatt and Division Two racer Donald Webb to make it to the money round.

“We have eight races to qualify for the JEGS All Stars,” Stalba adds. “There’s a couple of races to go I’m in the thick of it and if I turn on some win lights and go rounds I have a pretty good shot. It will be a good battle.

Paul and Tom Stalba celebrate  his Diamond 75th Anniversary Wally

“To get the diamond trophy was so cool   My 31st  I feel like that guy that’s sitting in my kitchen needs a brother and sister,” 

“I want to thank Hoosier Racing Tires, VP Race Fuels, Goldrush Trailer Sales, AA Auto Salvage and of course, my wife and kids.”

Runner up Phil Mollichella, who just missed a double, said after his loss, “If I could beat Stalba, I’d rule the world”

SUPER GAS

 Harrisburg N.C. racer Steve Furr is considered to be a professional racer. He has a job, but he still travels with his Super Gas and Top Dragster car winning races. At MIR Steve and his son Nick came up North for the event to show everyone how it’s done.

In the finals at MIR, Furr’s ’68 Camaro was up against Canadian racer Rich Stroud. Stroud’s ’27 Roadster had a great 0.002 light to Furr’s 0.015 RT but went too far under the 9.90 index losing with a 9.88 to the winning 9.914 of Furr.

“I’ve been racing at MIR for over 30 years now,” Furr said.  “I raced there a lot back in the IHRA days and had very good success there. I’ve also been there a few times with PDRA and had very good success there.”

“Now that NHRA is at MIR there was no way I was gonna pass up an opportunity. My son Nick wanted to come run Super Comp so he talked me into heading that way. I have to say the track is the nicest it’s ever been, and Royce has done a great job. I was lucky enough to pick up the win Super Gas and also wound up being .001 red in the finals of Top Dragster.”

NHRA Photographer Diane Kubicke presents Furr with the Super Gas Diamond Wally

“So, it was a little disappointing to come that close to a double up and not make it happen. I saw Royce in the lanes, and I told him MIR is one of my favorite race tracks in the country. I will be back for the PDRA North South race. You can always count on the track to be on point and so is the seafood down the road. It’s hard not to love everything about the place.”

SUPER STREET

Recent Mid Atlantic Mason Dixon Dragway champ Dom Burgese from Williamstown NJ, drove his ageless ’69 RS Camaro to the win at MIR. Racing D1 regular Frank Volpe in the final. Dom has been racing in the division for years, but MIR would be his first ever Lucas win.

 In a battle of who got off the line first, Volpe, from Poughkeepsie NY, had a great 0.016 light but Burgese, who has been 9 for 10 in rounds the past few weeks, cut a better 0.013 and on the Top End, Volpe went too quick with a 10.896 losing to Burgese’s dead on with a nine 10.909.

“We had a good week racing with family, friends and our racing family,” Burgese said. “We did enjoy NHRA double up. Want to thank the sponsors that make it possible. Would like to thank Fuel Factory for supply the fuel and thank Crew Chief Pro for the awesome and accurate data system again thank you.”

 

HOOPES FIRE PREVENTION TOP SPORTSMAN PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE

Mikey Daniele from Manorville N.Y. won his 9th NHRA Wally at MIR beating the ’18 Mustang of Frank Volpe from Poughkeepsie N.Y.

 Both cars were dialed in nearly identical with a 6.82 for the ’05 Cavalier of Daniele and a 6.85 for Volpe. With a 0.009 reaction time, Daniele would be tough to beat. And he was. Volpe had a good 0.049 RT and ran a 6.898 but Daniele ran a better 6.859 for the Maryland win.

 

 

Mikey’s pop Mike Daniele, who is the crew chief said, “Mikey’s reaction times were getting better. He finally got a handle on the tree Saturday night and Sunday. Once he gets getting the light, he’s deadly.

 Daniele had two of the best to get by to make the final. Carl Juliano in his Camaro and Jeff Brooks in the crowd favorite the Kaeser Compressors Henry J.

Against Brooks, both drivers were killers on the tree with Daniele off with a 0.006 to a  0.002 for Brooks. It was a battle of who would run closer to their dial. Daniele was only 0.014 off his 6.81 as Brooks lost with a 6.380 on his 6.36 dial. The difference was 0.002 on the Top End.

“With Jeff, and we race him a lot. They bring the best out of us. We are really close to each other and it’s always a great race.”

“I want to thank James Antonette for the power. The Eddies from Select Transmissions, Mike Mills who travels with us all the time. My grand kids. My daughter and son in law. “

HOOPES FIRE PREVENTION TOP DRAGSTER PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE

The third driver to grab a double at MIR was Kevin Robb from Denver PA. The finals pitted Super Gas winner Steve Furr against Robb.

 It was over early as the North Carolina driver left -0.001 too early giving Robb his 10th Lucas oil Drag Racing Series Wally.

After the historic double win Robb said, “The second race found us up against Scott Luken again first round with him still holding the points lead, I said to Michelle, we are going to have to be on our game, it’s tough enough to beat these guys in any giving round but to have to do it twice in one weekend that’s asking a lot.”

“As the story goes we got by Scott and yet again with a consistent car and some decent driving we found ourselves in the Semi’s against Carmen Mollichella for the 2nd time this weekend, we prevented the double up at the first race with his dad Phil who won Super Comp, and I knew Carmen wanted the chance to get the Damond Wally as well, again it was going to be a great race, luckily for us Carmen turned it red by just .001”, putting us in the final for the second time this weekend.

“In the final we faced Steve Furr, I knew when I left the tree was good, sure enough .005” moments later the win light showed on top of the score board as Steve turned it .001” red. I had a big sigh of relief as I had to pedal the car due to tire shake. I have always said I’d rather be lucky than good, this weekend had some of both.

“I must Thank A-1 Mulch, A-1 Motorsports, A-1 Service and Owners Mike and Deb Coomes for everything. They give us great equipment and trust us with that equipment to go out and compete.”

Thanks also to the following Sponsors:

Mickey Thompson Tires – Jeff and Chris Joey D – Transmissions

Abruzzi Converters Shorty’s Race Engines – Shorty and Paul Sr.

Wilson Race Engines – Chris, Rachel, and team Paintinplace – Glenn and Tim

Awesome Vinyl and Lettering & Graphics – Hank and Lorrie

VP Race Fuels

 Finally, my wife Michelle, Kyle, Shelby, Dawson, Jenn, Robert, Dad, Bonnie, Erin, Cylas, and Brystan for all their love and support!

 And of course, the race pups Copper and Harley!

“Lastly these two wins are in Memory of some special people who we recently lost, my Aunt Joyce Wlodek, Dee Fagan, Sue Mayo, and Bob Kaiser.”

Super Gas winner Steve Furr came close to a double at MIR but went red in the final against Robb

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 11-18

 

2025 NHRA NED champ Gabby MacLosky from Jackson N.J. went red in the final against Virgina racer Calvin Weaver from Brightwood. Calvin, who was the 2024 WDRA champ, ran out with a 7.883 on his 7.94 dial but it didn’t matter by that point.


After her loss, Gabby said , “The race at MIR was definitely different I had never been to that track before and there was many tough competitor’s. After fighting my way through many rounds into the final I clicked it 5 red and dead on with a 2 to end my day.”

 

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 6-10

 In a war of third generation NHRA racers, Nick Antonette from Wantagh NY was racing Anthony Fetch racing out of Colonia NJ.

 Fetch had the light but not the ET as he had a 0.018 RT but only had a 9.117 on his 8.91 dial while Antonette, second off the line, ran closer to his dial winning with a dead on with an eight, 10.388 on his 10.38 dial.

After his win at MIR, Nick said, “it was great to back racing for the first time this year and starting out with a win.”

“Me and Anthony are friends, and we were playing around all weekend. But in the finals, we’re not friends at the starting line and then we become friends again no matter what happens.”

The NHRA Division One picks it up again at Lebanon Valley July  2-5  in New York for the 3rdevent of 2026.