Phil Hutchison Drag Racing Action Online

Images David Smith, Diane Kubicke, and John Charbonneau

Lebanon Valley Dragway in West Lebanon New York outside Albany, was the home for the NHRA D1 Lucas Oil Divisional. The race, third of seven NHRA Northeast Division races was held in, what one would call, hot temps. The heat wave, gripping the East Coast made comfort hard to find. Held over the July 4th weekend, saw temperatures ranging from the mid 80’s to the 90’s with high humidity. But all the NHRA racers on hand were there for one thing, to win a 75th Anniversary Diamond Wally.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER

Jamie Noonan, who once called Australia home, drove his A/FD to a win in New York defeating Flemington N.J. racer Jackie Fricke in the finals.

Noonan who now resides in South Carolina, left a tick behind the dragster of Fricke running a winning 5.333 to take his second career Lucas Series Wally. Fricke who qualified #1 smoked the tires on the John Finke Equipment/Elite A/FD and slowed to a low six second pass in the loss.

Jamie and wife Renee Noonan said after the win “Lebanon Valley was a great weekend for our whole team. It was unbelievably hot out there, which made the track pretty tricky, but the guys gave me a car that was consistent every run.”

“As a driver, that’s exactly what you want you can go up there with confidence knowing you’ve got a car that’s capable of winning. To come away with another NHRA Diamond Wally is a great reward for all the hard work everyone has been putting in.”

“The Samsel family has really got this program dialed in this year. Tony, Kole, Robin and Aiden have been working incredibly hard, and they’re giving me a near-perfect race car week after week. It’s a real family effort, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

“Racing Jackie Fricke in the final was a great way to finish the weekend. She’s a tough competitor in Top Alcohol Dragster. We’re definitely on the hunt for the championship this season, but there’s still a long way to go, so we’re going to keep taking it one race at a time and stay focused on doing our job. I can’t thank the entire Samsel family, our crew, sponsors, family, and everyone who supports us enough. The momentum is building, and we’re looking forward to carrying it into the next race.”

Noonan in the Raging Roo dragster continues to lead the NHRA East Region and Lucas National points chase

Runner up and reigning Region champ Fricke said after the race, “This weekend was a special one, we had many Finke Equipment employees at the event with us and we debuted our Happy 250 America scheme we will be running for the month of July.

Fricke was sporting a great USA 250 scheme on the Finke Equipment A/FD

“Although we qualified number one, the hot, tricky track got us in the final. We have some time off and will focus on shop work and prepping better for our next event.”

TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

Wayne Hofmann, son of Fuel Funny Car pioneer Al Hofmann, drove his ’01 Mustang to a one sided win in Top Alcohol Funny Car.

Long time drag racing announcer Alan Reinhart making a surprise hosting duty for the event, told Hofmann early at the event, he had the quickest Funny Car at the race.

Later before first round, Reinhart told Hofmann he had the only Funny Car.

It wasn’t for Hofmann not trying, more cars were expected to enter the race, but the weather and the cost of diesel fuel might have affected the turnout.

“In the off season I put a lot of money into my Chevy powered Funny Car,” Hofmann said after his win. “I run the car at Chris Grave’s Funny Car Chaos events where the rules for my car aren’t as stringent as the NHRA. I upgraded lots of parts to compete in the NHRA events. Blower restraints and other parts. It wasn’t cheap but I made the decision to run with the NHRA guys.”

“I had ordered a new bell housing to be compliant in the class. I was told it would be here before the Lebanon race. Finally, after not showing up, I had to request an overnight delivery to Connecticut to make the race. I towed the Hofmann Racing Mustang to the track expecting the new bell housing. At the track I got a text letting me know the part was delivered. I called my wife Jodi to let her know to drive to the track as soon as possible with the housing. She got to the track and I tore the car apart to install the upgraded bell housing.”

“That’s how serious I was to race the NHRA at Lebanon with my big block Chevy.”

“During qualifying I did a Al Hofmann burnout smoking the tires to the eighth mile mark. Knowing I was the only car I took an easy pass.”

“On my winning pass, again I smoked the tires like dad used to do on the burnout. At the green I left the line intending to run to the 330 mark and click it. I left and the car was screaming. Up on the rev limiter. I was so concentrated on keeping the car between the lines I wasn’t paying attention to when to shift. I finally saw that the tach was letting me know it was time to change gears!”  

“I fully expected some of the NHRA regulars to show up at Lebanon, but nobody came. After the win, I’m on the fence about possibly towing to New England Dragway for the August race.”

“I’m still all in with the Chaos series and have an Altered body I can mount on my chassis and run the Fuel Altered races with Graves too.”

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR

Logan, near lane, goes red giving Carnasciale the LV win

Continuing his Lucas Oil wins was Ashaway R.I. racer Joe Carnasciale in his I/SM ’06 Cavalier. In the other lane it was fellow New England racer Todd Logan from Kingston Mass.

It was over quick as Logan left -0.002 too soon in his A/EA Bantam.

Carnasciale has been perfect at all three NED Lucas races winning the double header at Budds Creek and now Lebanon Valley. The win at Lebanon was Carnasciale’s 14th Lucas Wally and has him in 1st in both National and Divisional Comp points.

“Rolling into Lebanon we already knew there was going to be a low car count (in all classes) with the holiday weekend and the heat and humidity,” Carnasciale said. “With only 5 cars showing up it was going to be a short 3 round race.”

“Qualifying #1 gives me a first-round bye, second round I have to take on former world champ Al Ackerman who had a bye run first round due to Mike Hanratty having parts failure during qualifying and not being able to Make first round.”

“Al and I were both clean of any CIC hits, go green and it was going to be a good race and it was. I was 11 on tree and 55 under, Al was 32 on tree and 51 under. Onto the final with another fast car Todd Logan, a rematch of the final there in 2023. this year was a different outcome with me taking home the little silver man for third time this year.”

“I really have to thank all these people again and again! My dad, Paul Volpe at East Coast, Tom Martino, Slawco boys, Nat Chevittone, Cal Supply co, and my wife Chelsea who went into surgery Thursday morning and told me to go racing and win another Wally.”

SUPER STOCK

Coming on the heels of his Budds Creek Lucas win, Justin Picillo from Cranston R.I. drove the Eddie Bloom’s SS/BS Trans Am. to a win over the SS/TA S-10 of Jay Bruneau from Bristol Conn.

Picillo who won the 2025 Lebanon event, had the better light and ran a slightly better 9.542 on his 9.53 dial as Bruneau was right there with a close 9.064 on his 9.05 dial.

“This past weekend at Lebanon Valley Dragway ended successfully,” Picillo says.  “But it certainly had its challenges. From 90°+ weather, a ton of moisture in the air, storms, a broken rocker, a hole in a valve cover, and a big weather swing on Sunday, it certainly kept us on our toes!”

“None of this would be possible without Eddie Bloom. He provides me with an amazing race car that prints tickets. 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, Book Racing Ent, friends, family, and the entire D1/LVD staff. I also want to give a shoutout to Steve Smyth for fixing the valve cover. Thanks again!”

The win was Picillo’s 10th Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Wally and puts the Rhode Island driver firmly in the top spot in the NED points chase

STOCK ELIMINATOR

Winning his 28th career Lucas Oil Wally was Joe Santangelo from Marlborough Conn. Santangelo drove his B/SA ’69 Camaro to the win beating recent Budds Creer Double winner Matt Lisa from Waretown N.J.

Lisa got the better light in his D/SA ‘68 Camaro but pushed it too much at the stripe breaking out with a -0.001 too quick 10.859 on his 10.86 as Santangelo won with a 10.432 on his 10.41 dial.

SUPER COMP

Hughestown Pa. racer TJ Smith won a Lucas Oil Wally for the second year in a row at the New York track in his BAS Truck and Trailer dragster. Racing Smith was multi talented Vincent Nobile from Commack N.Y

Smith had the better RT and ran a dead on with a two 8.902 in the win as Nobile pushed the Elite dragster to a breaking out 8.893 in the loss.

What can I say? I parked this hot rod on the dance floor again this year,’’ Smith said.  “I’m 12-0 in Lebanon the last 2 years!! I only have God to thank for getting me by the close ones. If God doesn’t get you by the close ones, then you can’t get to the last one.”

“I have to thank my wife, Lori, for allowing me to do this stuff. My great friends, Jack and Katie Sepanek, for putting up with my ridiculous behavior and building me transmissions that get utterly tortured, and for round-by-round trackside guidance. Without them, I don’t know where I’d be.”

“I want to thank my mom and dad for imbedding this competitive drive in me that no one can explain. I also want to thank my racing family, Ken and Deb Moses, Kent Hanley, Ken Racing, Chuck Krapela, Howie Smith and my kids Logan, Theo, Celeste and Cooper and my niece Tootsie and of course, Tom Stalba.”

“The products that get me there: Sepanek Transmission, Mickey Thompson Tires, VP Racing Fuels, Roadrunner Race Fuel, APD, Pro 1 Safety, Foggit and Laris Insurance.

Smith, who claiming D3 as his home division, is currently in the 5th spot in the North Central points race.

 SUPER GAS

Pray, far lane, is off first but wasted his great leave, breaking out with a 9.896

Recent Budds Creek Super Gas winner Rick Mattioli made it two for three in 2026 with his win at Lebanon Valley.

Driving his blue ’67 Camaro the Middlesex N.J. racer took out the ’70 Nova of Steve Pray from Middletown Conn.

Pray got a great light with a 0.006 to Mattioli’s good 0.020 but went too quick breaking out with a 9.896 to the winning 9.93 of Mattioli.

Mattioli said, “I’m still in disbelief that things fell into place once again and we found ourselves in the winner’s circle.”

“As excited as I was to win on Sunday, what happened after my first-round win meant just as much if not more. As I climbed out of the car, I turned around and saw my cousin David standing there. We hadn’t seen each other in many, many years. He and his son made the drive to watch me race, and later that evening we went out to dinner together. To say our reunion was special would be a huge understatement.”

“I faced tough racers every round and thought this round is where my day ends but somehow the win lights just kept turning on.”

“Third round sticks out in my mind though. I was paired up with my friend Charlie Kenopic. Charlie is as tough as they come so I set up accordingly. We both leave the line, obviously we don’t know our reaction times but I’m .002 and Charlie is .001. I feel I’m too far ahead going into the traps and in a split-second blip the throttle once maybe twice since there was no time to get to the brake pedal. I think I may have killed one or two thousandths and go a 9.900 vs Charlies 9.927 to turn on the win light. Like I said luck has just been on my side.”

“A huge thank you to the entire staff at Lebanon Valley Dragway and all the D1 employees for the exceptional track preparation and for providing a safe place for all of us to race. Thank you to all the sponsors of this race. Thanks to the following for all their support: my fiancé Cynthia, my family and all my friends, Steve Van Craeynest, Bill Ceralli Competition Engines, Biondo Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, Select Performance, Road Runner Race Fuels. Special thanks to my sponsor Vitan Equipment and my fellow co-workers who are extremely supportive.

The win was just Mattioli’s second Wally and puts the New Jersey driver in the NED lead

SUPER STREET

Mid Atlantic racers Steven Van Craeynest from Bloomingdale N.J. in his self built  ’94 Camaro was up against multi time winner Keith Mayers from Maryland in his Porsche.

Mayers went red by -0.001 giving Van Craeynest his first Lucas win in this first ever final. Craeynest went below the 10.90 dial with a 10.897 but it didn’t matter.

TOP SPORTSMAN PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE

 

Brandon Miller from Canterbury Conn. normally drives a NHRA Pro Stock Mopar at the big races but he still races the truck that made him famous. Driving his ’00 S10, Miller defeated Amanda Lachapelle from Marlboro Mass. in the finals.

Lachapelle in her ’94 Beretta had the better light but Miller ran the number winning with a 4.461 on a 4.46 dial as Lachapelle ended up runner up with a 4.851 on her 4.84. It was close on the top end. 

“It felt good to get back in the truck after not racing it for a year, ”Miller said after the win.  “The last time I ran it was Lebanon Valley last year.”

It’s always special to win but this year is a little extra with the Diamond Wally. Everyone wants one being a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am very grateful for being able to accomplish it.

“I also would like to say a thank you to Lebanon Valley. Wayne and crew do a great job along with the NHRA Division One folks.

The win was Miller’s 10th Lucas Oil Wally.   

TOP DRAGSTER PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE

Mike Sullivan, no stranger to the Winner’s Circle with four Wallys on his shelf along with a D1 National Open and three track championships. At Lebanon the Peabody Massachusetts driver added a fifth Wally to the trophy case. This time it was a Diamond Wally.

Sullivan dialed his dragster at a 4.34 and ran a 4.354 as his competition Bill Masiello from Naugatuck Conn. was second off the line and ended up breaking out with a 4.062 on his 4.07 dial.

“After my second round win i heard a noise in the motor,” Sullivan said.  “I pulled the covers and checked the valves and found nothing, checked converter bolts and anything obvious but couldn’t come up with anything. So, I held my breath every time I let go. It was getting a little louder after every pass.”

“When I let go of the button in the final we were both green and all I was saying in my helmet was please stay together for four more seconds!!! And it did. It’s been a long time since I won a divisional and to be so close a few weeks ago at the NHRA National Event and giving that one away this takes some of the sting! Its really special to add the Diamond Wally to the collection!

JUNIOR DRAGSTER

The Juniors ran two shows during the weekend. A Thursday/Friday race and a Saturday/Sunday to give the kids two chances to post a win

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 11-18 THUR-FRI

On Friday it was third generation racer Michael Antonette from Wantagh, N.Y. heading to the Winner’s Circle beating Abby Martin from Norristown Pa.

Martin got the starting line advantage but broke out with a 7.865 on her 7.90 giving Antonette the win.

Dad James Antonette said after Michael’s win, “We were having trouble with his car running down the track so I ordered him a new carburetor for this race and he promised me he would win and help pay for the parts and the kid made it happen.”

“Michael executed it perfectly and somehow came out of it with a win we did get the car to run better and better each round and finally figured it out the last 2 rounds.”

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 6-10 THUR-FRI

New York racer Billy Foster from Cortlandt Manor defeated fellow NY racer Jayden Rogers from Hudson Falls with a 9.277 on his 9.17 dial as Rogers lost with a 12.825 on a 12.73 dial.

Billy’s dad said after his first ever win, “Billy competed in his first ever Jr Dragster Divisional Race July 4th Weekend. Billy was so proud and excited to win the race on July 3rd for the 6-10 age group at Lebanon Valley Dragway.”

“This is Billy’s home track and was happy to get this win with so many of his fellow racers and track personnel from Lebanon Valley cheering him on. He would like to thank his mom and dad for all their love and support and always being there for him.”

“His brothers Jesse and Lucas for being at the track to support him every single weekend. Grandparents Carmella and Angelo for cheering him on and believing in him. Grandma and Pop for always being there for him and Pop for taking him to the track on Saturdays nights.”

“Cousins Tommy and Joey who race with him every weekend and are always supportive. Cousins George and Anthony for their words of encouragement. Thank you to our wonderful track family for all their kind words and support. Thank you to Lebanon Valley Dragway staff for all their hard work and dedication.”

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 11-18 SAT-SUN

It was a battle of the Ems in the finals with Emily Burns from Staatsburg New York against Emma Stodulski from Leominster Mass. Unfortunately, Stodulski’s car was broke and Burns took an 8.038 bye for the NY win.

 

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 6-10 SAT-SUN

Third generation racer Anthony Fetch won the 6-10 age group on Sunday running closer to his dial and grabbing a better light. His competition Tyler Stokes from Ballston Lake N.Y. had a 0.175 RT coupled with a 9.004 on his 8.96 as Fetch from Colonia N.J. was winning with an 8.952 on his 8.94 dial after a 0.026 light.

PHOTO EXTRA