DRAG RACING ACTION ONLINE

IMAGES PHIL HUTCHISON AND JOHN CHARBONNEAU

The weather at the NHRA New England Nationals presented by bproauto was great all weekend with warm temperatures and sun. that was until the last two pair of cars were on the staging lanes waiting for the finals of Top Fuel and Funny Car on Sunday afternoon. Dallas Glenn had just won Pro Stock when the rain started falling canceling the last two pair and the finals of the event will be run at Bristol in one week.

But before the rain hit the New England track, winners were crowned in all the NHRA classes including the Pro Stock sleds making a rare appearance at a major NHRA race.

Looking at the list of winners, the NED locals kept the lions share of titles back in New England.

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR

Reigning NHRA Northeast Division Competition champ Joe Carnasciale from Ashaway RI was up against D2 Monty Bogan in the finals. Carnasciale had the advantage in his pocket.  His I/SM ’06 Cavalier qualified #1 and kept his CIC clean throughout eliminations. Bogan, driving his D/SMA G5 qualified right behind Carnasciale but had a 0.08 CIC hit in earlier eliminations.

In a battle of Division One and Division Two champs, Bogan was off the line first but on the top end Carnasciale kept it out front of the Boiling Springs SC driver in his Chevy for back to back  New England Nationals wins.

Carnasciale posted a winning 0.582 under 8.898 on his 9.48 index as Bogan slowed to an 8.584 on an 8.90 knowing that it was better to keep his index intact.

“Weekend didn’t start off great, went up for Q1 and car would not start,” Carnasciale said, “Q2 went up there and went from not qualified to on the poll with a potential second round bye, that round was the key in this whole race. Al went down there and got 0.03 CIC and Monty went down there and took 0.08 CIC for his bye to the final.”

“Third round was the break that I needed when Ackerman turned on that evil Red Bulb against me to put me into the final round clean of any index hits. There we were, #1 and #2 qualifiers in the final me and my buddy Monty rematch for Charlotte national just a few months prior with this one going in my favor! He’s real tough racer with a fast consistent car. We’ll be battling all year long!”

“I really must thank my dad for getting me hooked on racing.  Paul Volpe of East Coast Surfaces, Nat’s Racing Engines, Smooch, and my wife Chelsea.”

SUPER STOCK

Minutes after losing the final of Stock Eliminator, Shane Oakes from Ottsville PA was back for another try in his SS/HA Firebird against fellow D1 racer Joe Lisa from Vernon NJ in his GT/IA Camaro.

Oakes cut the tree down with a 0.007 reaction time to Lisa’s 0.088 and caught the New Jersey driver with a 9.729 on his 9.70 dial as Lisa pushed his Chevy a little too much breaking out with a 9.947 on his 9.95 in the loss.

The win at Epping was another back to back win as Oakes won in 2025.

Winning in Super Stock took some of the sting off Oakes after losing the finals of Stock as Oakes was looking to double up at NED.

“It was great to get the repeat win at New England. Obviously I was stoked at the chance of a double up, but 2 finals was an enjoyable outing and I couldn’t be happier for the Bednez family.”

“I couldn’t have done it without the help of my wife and great friends. A big shout out to steve Ficacci racing engines, Gary Hettler, Sepanek transmission, Jason Coan, Trevor at vp fuels and Roy at Hoosier mid Atlantic tire. Without their help and support none of this would be possible. Time to regroup and look forward to seeing everyone at the next outing!”

STOCK

Local racer Todd Bednaz from Plymouth CT took his ageless E/SA Camaro to his first career NHRA win beating the Camaro of Shane Oakes.

In his third try for a National Event win, Bednaz finally made it happen getting the better light and running closer to his dial. Bednaz dialed his Chevy at 10.74 and won with a 10.758 as Oakes was close with a 9.496 on a 9.47 in his FS/C COPO but came up a few feet short.

Earlier Bednaz beat Katie Sepanek and James Perron on his way to the finals as Oakes took out Matt Lisa and Nicholas Barsamian on his side of the ladder.

“Weekend started with motorhome AC not working when the weather was 90 degrees for first time,” Bednaz said. “First qualifier went good until after the run and the batteries were dead! Got car back to pit after weight and fuel check and charged them up and batteries were good for the weekend! Thank goodness!”

“After a good second qualifier we were then paired up for a heads up in first round. So, first race with the automatic after approximately 30 years with a manual transmission and a heads up to start. That went well picking the car up .06 from qualifying and winning first round.”

“Couple of opponents red lights in round 2 and 3. Round 4 was a big round being 2 for 1 with the win getting a bye run to the final. Very tough race with Katie Sepanek and came up with the win by 2 hundredths.”

“Ran the bye run out to get a good number for the final. Knowing what Shane was doing on the other side of the ladder and in Super Stock I knew I had to be my best in the final. All went well with .010 light and 1 over the dial to get the win.”

“This was my third national final and I did not want to strike out! Thanks to My Wife Ann, Dad. Ed Good and good friend Ken Richard.  Brian Tilburg Race Engines, Hoosier Tire New England Race Fuels and Sepanek Transmission.”

SUPER COMP

Sepanek, far lane, took the Super Comp title over Vincent Nobile in one of the closest races of the day

Racing transmission manufacturer Jack Sepanek from Moosic PA.  took a win in a giant battle. Sepanek was up against Vincent Nobile from New York and Nobile had been on the 8.90 index all day in his black Elite Racing dragster.

Nobile was first off the line by a tick but Sepanek ran a better number with a nearly dead on 8.907 to Nobile’s losing 8.916 in one of the closest races of the day. The win was Sepanek’s 5th career Wally.

“On Friday morning, winning this race didn’t feel like it was in the cards,” said Sepanek after his win. “The car ran terrible during our first time trial. But after throwing plugs, a new crank trigger and a coil at it, we turned things around and made a much better run in the second session.”

“By Saturday evening, the excitement really kicked in. After winning round three, we were officially in on Sunday and set to face good friend, Howie Smith, in the fourth round—with the winner earning the bye to the final. It was pretty cool hanging out Saturday night knowing that either Howie or I would be racing for the trophy.”

“We knew the final was going to be tough. Vincent is a great driver with an equally great car and has the support of a big family of savvy racers, so we knew we needed to make a really good lap to win. Luckily, we made just a little bit better run than him this time.”

“NHRA did an incredible job with the diamond Wallys; they look amazing. Going into this season, we were just hoping we’d be fortunate enough to win one this year. To bring one home at our very first race out is unbelievable. What an awesome way to start the season.”

SUPER GAS

Former division champ Charlie Kenopic from Canada took his Corvette Roadster to a double breakout win over long time racer Rick Mattioli’s black Camaro. Kenopic got a great 0.002 light and it made the difference as both ran out of the 9.90 index, but Mattioli went too far under with a 9.889 to the winning 9.893 of Kenopic. The win was his third career Wally.

Earlier Kenopic took out former division winner Tom Stalba in the semis and Mattioli beat Ted Leahy.

Kenopic said after his win, “We had a great weekend started with a 9.900 time run had good lights all day pulled a little delay out for the final went .002 and won on a .004 double breakout was a great race.”

SUPER STREET

Giulaino, near lane, was very tardy in the finals against Mazzotta and it cost him

In Super Street another local racer claimed his first ever NHRA win. Jay Mazzotta from Haverhill Massachusetts drove his Chevy Nova to the win beating former D1 champ Michael Giuliano in the finals at New Hampshire.

Mazzotta had an unreal 0.006 light to Giuliano’s sleepy 0.317 reaction time. From the starting line it looked like Mazzotta left before the green, but Giulaino’s late leave made it look much easier. Mazzotta ran an 11.035 to the breaking out 10.892 of Giuliano.

“The weekend started strong,” Mazzotti said after the win, “I was close to 10.90 on both time trials, but the weather and wind changed quite a bit all three days and in between each round, so it was important to track it all and make the correct changes to keep the car close to 10.90 for eliminations.”

“I had 5 real tough opponents in eliminations, all great competitors in Division 1 SST, I’m pretty sure all but 1 has won a divisional or national before, so I had to be on my game every round. The final three rounds on Sunday were especially difficult because the wind was so strong and changing from tail to cross and back and forth, but with strong lights and good decisions we made it to the final. I was confident going into the final round, my reaction times were good all weekend and my dad and I had the car dialed in to where we wanted it to run”

“I’ve been in a lot of final rounds at New England Dragway in weekly, money, and divisional events, so I was focused and ready for the moment. Michael and I had a small staging duel, but when we left the starting line, I knew I had him by a good margin on the tree and just had to make sure I didn’t mess up the stripe. When I saw the win light, I was ecstatic and overwhelmed at the same time, because I knew I could do it (win a national) but didn’t know if it would ever actually happen.”

“I got my timeslip and couldn’t wait to get to my family and friends to celebrate with the Diamond Wally. This was a big win for me, but it was huge for my dad also. He works so hard on our racing program, has been involved in racing his whole life, and to see his happiness and excitement getting a National Wally in front of a huge crowd was the best part.”

“I want to thank; M.L. Mazzotta Construction, Boucher’s Racing Engines, TSR Racing Products, Mom, Dad, Alicia, Angie, Jared, Rob Hyatt, the “Family Dinner” crew, and all my other family and friends for their support.”

TOP SPORTSMAN

The locals continued to pace the field with Eric Cabral from nearby Manchester NH in the finals driving the Iannotti Brothers Willys in his second ever NHRA final.  In the other lane fellow NH racer Dan Christopher was in the low qualifying T & T Motorsports Chevy Cobalt. Christopher ran a 6.723 to lead the field and ran the number on the windshield in the final but Cabral had the better light and ran a nearly right on 7.375 on a 7.37 dial as Christopher lost with a better 6.732 on a 6.73. 

Cabral says, “The final was a little crazy as I went up to see if my delay was good. I double bulbed it and backed up and reached over and accidently cleared my delay box.” 

“I’m going crazy trying to get my delay box back and I see that Christopher’s team is working on the wheelie bars, so I have a little time. I got it fixed but was not sure what we put in the delay. I had more than I needed. I cut a nineteen. When I left, It felt good. Keep looking over to see him and was waiting until the first cone. Stepped on the brake pedal and dragged the break. I saw him out my side window and knew I had him and continued to drag the brake. 

“My win light came one and I felt like I was going to pass out. I didn’t really knock off anything off the car still went a 179 and change and he was going 200.  

Christopher’s Chevy made it to the final round at Epping

“Six years ago I started driving for Eddie. The 41 Willys is a former Montana Brothers Pro Mod. It used to be blown but we run a 665 CI Reher and Morrison between the rails. A Tedco Powerglide gets the car down the track on Hoosier tires We won a couple of divisional races and local events, but we only do a few of these traveling races. We do a local series that we run about eleven races at New England.”  

“Thanks to Eddie Iannotti who owns the car. He was under the weather on Saturday and left the track and did not see the win. Also want to acknowledge my crew guy Greg Wright. The Carnasciales who build the motors. My dad Paul, my wife Toni, and my daughters Bella and Sofie.” “Bob and Nick Garone and Brian Bell’s shop where we do all the maintenance on the car. My buddies DJ Pires and Jay Mazzotta.” 

 

TOP DRAGSTER 

Meloni, far lane, captured her first ever Wally in her first ever NHRA final 

At the early age of 17, third generation racer Ava Meloni from Brentwood NH, in her first ever NHRA final, drove her dragster to a win over a red lighting Paul Neal from Evert MA. Neal didn’t just red light, his RT was -.202 too quick.  Meloni regardless, was on her game with a 0.008 light running a 6.933 on a 6.94 dial for her first win.  In earlier rounds Meloni beat Mike Sullivan and Low Qualifier Al Kenny. Neal got around #2 qualifier Ed Fatscher and Becki Miller to get to the finals

“This weekend was honestly a dream come true,” Meloni said after her historic win. “I never thought at almost 18 I’d be winning a national event. At the start of the weekend, I just told myself go out there, do your best, and most importantly have fun doing it. After every round my dad and I always say, “It’s just a time trial” and then fast forward a few rounds I was in my first NHRA final.”

“After Backing up from my burnout I closed my eyes and took a deep breath (like I do every pass) but this whole race was different, each pass, I wasn’t nervous, stressed, or worried about it, I was just having fun. I let go of the button, felt like I hit it pretty well, at first I didn’t notice Paul went red, until about the 330 I happened to see the score board light on my side lit up and I just started screaming.”

“I was definitely in shock coming off the track. After I turned off and was heading down the return road, I was teary eyed but as soon as I shut the car off and got to my dad I just started balling my eyes out.”

Meloni was more than emotional after her first win at such a young age

“He’s the reason I’m able to do this, and he’s taught me pretty much everything I know when it comes to racing. I guess in that moment I kind of blacked out, It was all a blur, I mean I just couldn’t even put together what I just did. But then when I went over and congratulated Eric he told me to “enjoy this moment” After he said that I just took in every second of it, and winning this race surrounded by my family/ friends who are my biggest support system, truly meant more to me than I could ever explain. The whole thing is still so surreal, but all I can say is I’m truly so grateful to even be in this position and my dad providing me with everything I need to race.”

“Dad and I put the car together this winter, it’s a 2018 American chassis, with a 632 ci motor from Brett at Nesbitt Performance Engines, carburetor from Get’M Performance, converter from Greg Slack, and a transmission from FTI. All of these guys are the reason I have such a consistent car, Dad has been with them for as long as I can remember, I truly can’t thank them enough.”

“I’m a third generation racer, my grandfather ran Comp Eliminator in the 90’s, my dad runs Top Sportsman and Top Dragster, I’m just trying to follow in their footsteps. My dad has won 2 NHRA Nationals, one in Top Sportsman and one in Top Dragster, both at New England Dragway (our home track) He’s also won PDRA World Championships in both classes, and won back in the day in IHRA..”

“My dad is one of the best racers I know, maybe I’m biased, but I want to be just as good as him one day. He actually said to me this weekend “You actually have a trophy that I don’t have” which was funny because even when I won, I had no idea it was a Diamond Wally until they handed it to me. But all jokes aside, growing up doing this with my dad has been a blessing, racing has taught me so much, my closest friends I’ve met at the racetrack, and honestly, they are like my family. I’m so grateful for the lessons I’ve learned, the friends and family I’ve made, and the experiences I have been through, everywhere I’ve gotten to travel to, and it’s all because of this sport. This win means so much to me because I got to do it at my home track that I grew up at, do it surrounded by the family and friends who support me day and day through, and because this is hopefully the first of many milestones in my racing career.

PRO STOCK 800 SLED

Run at a handful of NHRA events, the quick sleds kept it to an 1/8 mile and mid five second times at over 120 MPH were the norm. A full field of 16 sleds qualified at Epping.

In the final it was Marco Philippon against Walter Joy in a pair of SkiDoos. Philippon got the better light and won on a hole shot 5.401 to a losing but better 5.387of Joy. Computer numbers put the difference at the stripe at approximately eight inches.

“I’m so excited and honored to win such a prestigious race at this historic race track,” Philippon said. “This is a moment in life I will never forget.”

SPORTSMAN FROM NEW ENGLAND NATIONALS PHOTO GALLERY