It might have been the last NHRA Lucas Oil Divisional in D1, but there is still a lot of racing to do.

Racers can compete out of division for points and after Epping, there are still Lucas events on the schedule.

Double events at Rockingham NC and Madison Illinois and Tulsa Oklahoma along with Lucas races at Dallas, Earlville Iowa, Bakersfield CA., and a season ending event at Vegas in November.

Racers willing to travel will decide a lot of NHRA champs but after Epping, it’s getting clearer who is going to be being a Divisional, if not a NHRA World Champ.

A lot of the winners at Epping are in the hunt for a D1 Championship but there were also a few first time winners at the New England track.

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER

Jamie Noonan driving the Raging Roo A/FD continues to lead the National and Regional Lucas points chase with the win at Epping adding to his total. The South Carolina speed parts manufacturer beat Low Qualifier Richard Bourke from New Jersey in the final as Bourke ‘s car was broke  and could not make the bell.

Noonan rattled the tires on his winning run.

Noonan who qualified his car in the #2 spot got by Joe Gerdelmann and Jackie Fricke as Bourke got around the blown car of Tom Fox and a bye run to make the finals.

The Noonan team said after the win, ““Epping was a really good weekend for us. To finish our regional races with a win is pretty hard to complain about, and it leaves us in a good spot heading into the rest of the season.”

“The Samsels are doing an awesome job. The car has been really consistent, and every weekend they give me something I know we can go rounds with. We’ve just been trying to make the most of that and not overcomplicate it. We’ve still got some important National races ahead of us.”

“The Championship is obviously what we’re working towards, but there’s no point looking too far ahead. We just need to keep doing our job, keep going rounds and see where it puts us at the end of the year.”

After the Epping win, Noonan leads the blown cars of Joey Severance and Shawn Cowie in the NHRA national Lucas Oil chase, but the season is getting shorter coming into the “Big Go East” at Indianapolis over the Labor Day weekend.Things could be clearer after that.

ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR

In a short field, former East Regional champ DJ Cox wheeled his ’22 Camaro to a win over Virginia racer Bruce Mullins. It was over at the green as Mullins left too soon giving Cox his 13th career win and his first Diamond Wally of 2026.

“I wish there was more to say about the race, but the car count was obviously short,” Cox said.  “We did not have a great weekend. We only got the car down the track once. But had luck go our way.”

 

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR

If Top Alcohol Funny car and Dragster had a small turnout, Competition Eliminator was smaller. Could have been the US Nationals just a few days away or the tow to New England but only two cars showed up at NED.

Joe Carnasciale from Ashaway, R.I. drove his I/SMA ’06 Cavalier to his sixth Lucas Oil win of the season. In the other lane Todd Logan from Kingston Mass was in his yellow A/EA ’32 Bantam.

Logan knowing his chance of a win were slim had one of the worse possible reaction times in the finals. Carnasciale was off the line with 0.054 while Logan sat on the starting line cutting the light with a 0.319 giving Carnasciale an easy win.

Carnasciale leads the Lucas Oil National and Divisional series, and it would take a mammoth effort to pass him in the D1 points and a huge bit of work to beat him the NHRA Lucas title.

After the Epping win, Carnasciale’s 17th career Wally, the Rhode Island driver said,” To win six out of the seven division races in D1 is just unbelievable, but the race in Epping didn’t feel like a real race was only one round.”

“I feel like NHRA needs to do something with the timing of this event. It’s a great facility great track and being put at the end of the D1 schedule people getting ready for Indy just don’t want to travel up that way.”

SUPER STOCK

Coyne, far lane, went too quick in his GT/IA Camaro giving Picillo the Epping win

The  Competition Eliminator point chase was led by Carnasciale is wild, but Super Stock is just nuts. Epping winner Justin Picillo in the Eddie Bloom ’85 Trans Am SS/BS has been lights out. Winning his third Lucas race of the season Picillo has a 100-point lead in the D1 chase over fellow New England race Joe Santangelo’s Camaro.  Nationally, he is leading over Washington racer Jody Lang and Pennsylvania’s Shane Oakes. While the other racers have claimed NHRA national events, Picillo only has one in his points column so he could add to his total with more races to claim.

In the finals at Epping Picillo was racing the GT/IA Camaro of local racer Jeff Coyne from West Ossipee New Hampshire.

Coyne was behind at the hit with a 0.055 light to the 0.018 of Picillo. On the top end Coyne pushed his Chevy too far breaking out with a 10.42 on his 10.43 dial as Picillo won his 11th Lucas Oil Wally with a 9.443 on his 9.42.

After his win at Epping Picillo said, “This past weekend at New England Dragway was another one for the books. Tons of delays for mist in the air, a long delay before E1 that fortunately allowed us to fix a broken rocker, and a long rain delay and weather swing on Sunday.”

“Fortunately, it ended with a Diamond Wally! 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/NED staff. I also want to give a shoutout to Jeff Coyne for his runner up. He is a great friend, and it was awesome to lineup next to him in the final! Great job.”

STOCK ELIMINATOR

Shane Oakes from Ottsville Pa might be in the chase for Super Stock, but in Stock he’s holding all the cards. Oakes leads the Lucas national chase along with the Northeast Division in his COPO ‘15 Camaro.

In an all-Pennsylvania final at Epping Nick Reiter from Warminster Pa. fouled out in his F/SA ’68 Cuda giving Oakes his first Lucas divisional of 2026 and his 8th career Wally.  

“It was great to pick up the win in Epping,” Oakes said.  “I’m not sure what it is about that place, but we tend to do well up there.”

“A two day event almost turning into 4 days was frustrating for everyone involved. For not considering the threat of weather that close to the ocean, or potential down time the scheduling made little sense and shows their Night of Fire was the main priority.”

“However, I think the staff rebounded well by sticking out thru the rain and allowing us to complete the event late Sunday.”

“Special thanks to my wife Sara, Bryan Valentine and everyone who made this trip enjoyable. I’d also like to thank Steve Ficacci, Gary Hettler, Jason Coan, Jack Sepanek, Trevor at VP Fuel and Roy at Hoosier Mid Atlantic tires.”

“Congratulations to all of the winners and I hope everyone has a happy and healthy off  season!”

Runner up Nick Reiter said after the race, “I have done well at Epping, won in ’89 and I like to go to tracks that I have done well. The last time I was there I went to the semis at the national race.”

“I had some tough cars and a heads up against Bill Pomponi. Nice guy. When I have a heads up I don’t look to see how quick the other guy has been. You can’t think that way. You let your guard down and get beat.”

“I call Shane son #4. We go back forever. Live 20 minutes apart. We know and race each other. He’s about 60% over me.” “I told him when he won D1 a few years ago, I was about his age when I won the division.”

“Back in ’89 I was in the points hunt and had to go to Costal Plains to take the title. Kent Hanley and I were fighting for the division. I ended up winning D1. My number on the car was and is 1135. My good buddy Ronnie Urquhart came over and took the 35 off the car leaving me with the #11 for winning the division. That’s what friends do.” Reiter thanks his wife Edie, his son Billy and engine builder Bub Whitaker and Ray Porter for supporting him for all these years.  

SUPER COMP

With the sun setting in the New Hampshire skyline, Kundratic, near lane, is on his way to the Super Comp win

Another race with divisional  implications was the finals with Maryland racer Jeff Kundratic against Numidia winner Howie Smith from New York. In his Lucas Oil Right Trailers Powder Coast Finishes dragster Kundratic edged out  Smith with an 8.931 to a 8.938.

Kundratic, to make a move to the top, needs a little luck on his side. After Epping, Kundratic is 13 points out of first place with Shawn Fricke in #1. All top 10 in the NED Super Comp points are within striking distance except Phil Mollichella who used up his allotment of races..

“Shawn, I ran in the final at Cecil the quarters at Epping and Howie I ran in the semis at Cecil and the finals of Epping. It’s wild how we come across the same people.”  

“Epping was interesting. In round 3, Bill Pitz and I ran before the rain and by the time we got to the shutdown area, they stopped the race for a few hours. Everybody else in Super Comp had the advantage to run after the rain.”

“We have two divisionals left.  On the web it says I have 7 but one was waived so we have two to go. The world championship would be tough. Trey Vetter who’s leading has a lot of races to go to. He’s a Vegas racer and there are a lot of races left out there.”

“I have work commitments to work for Holly at South Georga at No Mercy. I am one of the qualified people to run a sponsor truck. We are trying to go to Rockingham then St Louis and run the double. But St Louis is on top of No Mercy. We’re trying to figure all this out.”

“I would prefer to go to St Louis cause we have done well there. With Rockingham I am concerned about the timing system. They use Accutime down there which can have issues especially when the championship is involved.”

“It’s tough helping customers at the races and running the car. Getting your head around all of this. Sometimes people show up out of the blue for help while I’m racing.”

“I got to thank Cathy and Kelly for getting the car ready while I’m working at the race. Kelly had to leave the track at Epping and head to the airport at Manchester. She was watching the race on her phone and was screaming when I won. The people at the airport must have thought she was nuts.”

“Randy & Randy Jr Winfelder are so important. They make sure the trailer is loaded and ready to go. Kenny Moses is important too. Lucas Oil and Holley brands, Right Trailers and Hoosier Racing Tires.” 

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SUPER GAS

Mattioli, far lane, is up, up, and away in his blue Camaro in the finals of Super Gas

In Super Gas, it was a first time final for Vouk Popovich from North Windham Maine. Driving his ’69 Camaro he was up against the ’67 Camaro of two time 2026 winner Rick Mattioli from Middlesex N.J.

Mattioli, another NED racer leading his division, coming off a bye run to make the finals, had mechanical problems with the throttle stop. His Camaro went skyward at the green as Popovich got his first ever NHRA win in his first ever final.

“Congratulations to Vouk Popovich on his S/G win,” Mattioli said after the finals.  “ What a great guy. After his win, he came back up top end to check on me when he heard of my hard landing after the throttle stop did not come on.”

“I appreciate him checking on me. Also, thanks to Mark Proulx who also came up top to check on me.”

“It was a tricky day to race on Sunday between the wind and rain delay. I was lucky enough to find myself in the final round. But little did I know that a surprise was waiting for me when I let go of the transbrake button. Somehow, someway I made a mistake and zeroed out my throttle stop numbers in the box. So, when I let go of the button up went the front end and all I saw was sky, I lifted as soon as I could but it too late and had a pretty hard landing. We bent and crushed a few parts but wasn’t leaking anything as was able to limp it off the track under its own power.

“A Big Thank you to the entire D1 & New England Dragway staff for getting the track dried after a long rain delay. We were able to get back out and finish the race without having to return or make up at a later date,

“Another big thank you to the following for all their support: my fiancé Cynthia for allowing me to follow my passion, my family, my racer friends. Special thanks to Steve Van Craeynest for all his help getting my car back in order for a third time. Also a special mention to Marty at Rhineharts Performance for all his help and advice.”

“Thank you to Bill Ceralli Competition Engines, Bill Horton at Drag Racers Insurance, Biondo Racing Products, Foggit Fogging Oil, Hoosier Tire, Road Runner Race Fuels, Select Performance Transmissions. Special thanks to my sponsor Vitan Equipment and my fellow co-workers.”

SUPER STREET

Cccil County winner Carly Wolf, far late, was on the losing end of a double breakout in Super Street

2001 NHRA Northeast Division Super Street winner Michael Giuliano from Wantagh N.Y. took his black ’67 Camaro to a Super Street win at Epping beating recent Cecil County winner Carly Wolf from New Jersey.

It was a double breakout with Wolf posting a losing 10.865 to Giuliano’s better 10.872 after Wolf had the better light.

Giuliano who won the 2001 D1 championship without winning a race, finally got his Wally at Epping and this one was a 75th anniversary Diamond Wally.

Earlier Giuliano beat Mike Epprecht and former D1 champ Ray Sawyer along with Ron Pomerleau to get to his fourth NED final. On her side of the ladder Wolf defeated Mark Prolux and Shawn Fricke to meet Giuliano for the trophy.  

After her great weekend in New Hampshire, Wolf said, “We went to Epping for our last Division 1 race of the year.”

“After winning at Cecil, we knew that moved me into second in division with the championship in sight, but we knew it would be a long shot. We knew I’d need to win the entire race for just a chance at the championship, so I spent the entire week just trying to stay focused on winning one round at a time.”

Carly Wolf’s black Mustang is firmly in the Top 10 in D1

“I was a bit nervous for this race to begin with because every time we go to Epping, something goes wrong. Luckily, everything ,less the weather, went smoothly this time. I had a tough match-up round 1 with the President of the track and he was laying down killer runs in time runs, so I knew I had to be on my game.”

In R1 Wolf was against New England Dragway President and Director of Sales Paul Lorenti and had the better light and a better ET to send The President back to his office. Wolf had a 0.010 light and a 10.931 to beat Lorenti’s 0.057 RT matched with a losing 10.934.  

“When I got through him and saw my ladder and it was hitter after hitter, after hitter, I knew it was gonna be a very challenging weekend. To get to the final round for two weeks in a row was amazing. It was cool having to race some of the absolute best

Super Street racers in the division that I really respect and fight to earn a spot in the final round with Mike.”

“We know Mike is tough and we always have to be on our A game. I definitely didn’t expect the car to pick up and run as fast as it did in the final, but it’s a lesson we learned going forward. I’m extremely happy for Mike and I’m glad I had the opportunity to race him in the final. He’s such a consistent competitor that he really causes me to step my game up!”

Keith Mayers from Salisbury Maryland continues to lead the division but he along with Wolf, are out of D1 races to claim.

HOOPES FIRE PREVENTION TOP SPORTSMAN PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE

Former NHRA D1 Top Dragster and Top Sportsman champ Brandon Miller from Canterbury Conn. put his normally aspirated S-10 Truck in the Epping winner’s circle defeating the Pontiac GXP of Ben Schlafman in the finals

Miller, who was also NHRA Top Sportsman World Champ in 2003, was second off the line with a 0.019 light to the great 0.004 of Schlafam but had his Chevy dialed in with a winning 6.921 on his 6.91 dial as Schlafman from Massachusetts, was off his dial running a losing 7.246 on a 7.21 dial.

After his Epping win Miller said,” It was a great weekend especially after the bad luck at Cecil County last weekend.”

“We battled rain delays Saturday and Sunday, so it felt like we had 3 first rounds.”

“One Saturday night one Sunday morning and one on Sunday evening. It’s always a tough Top Sportsman crowd in Epping. I was happy to win at “home”

The win at Epping, Miller’s 12th career Wally, has the Connecticut driver in first place in the Northeast Division with Mike Daniele a close second. Both drivers have races to claim so D1 is not sewed up yet.

 

HOOPES FIRE PREVENTION TOP DRAGSTER PRESENTED BY SELECT PERFORMANCE

Local racer Chris Cumming from Milton N.H. brought his black dragster to Epping and walked away with his first ever Wally in his first ever NHRA final,

Racing fellow New Hampshire racer and friend Zac Biron, Cumming cut a 0.004 light and ran a right on with a 7.049 on a 7.04 as Biron had to push his dragster to a breaking out 6.935 on a 6.96.

“It was an amazing weekend with the weather and qualifying I came from the #32 position and my wife Theresa was on the outside looking in #33 with our 4th qualifier being taken away,” Cumming said. “She ended up being inserted into the number one position as an alternate as that driver could not make the call.”

“As the day progressed between the raindrops. It appeared that we both were on fire and could only see the stage getting set for the two of us to race in the final round. Unfortunately. Zach took her out in the semis and Zach and I lined up for the final round where I defeated him for the win.”

“I would love to thank all of the partners that make this possible for us. Thompson Center Arms, Laris Motorsports Insurance, JSJ Aesthetics, Fuel Factory, Select Performance with a bad ass converter and Shafiroff Race Engines with the APD 16.5* heads bad ass bullet”

After his runner up Zac Biron adds,  “After my son Jacob won Junior at Cecil the week before I did my best for him not to show me up!”

“As a parent, seeing your kids win is always better than one of your own.”

“We’ve been busy Junior racing all summer so I’ve only been out a few times this year myself. My car was good all weekend I just flat missed the tree in the final no excuse.” “Chris is a good friend of mine and I’m glad to see him get his first Wally. I want to thank my wife Melissa, son Jacob, daughter Aubrey, all my close friends, Oakley engine Performance, M/T Tires, and the Fuel Factory.”

Denver Pa. racer Kevin Robb sits in the #1 spot in the NED with former NHRA World Champ Vince Musolino from New York second. 

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 11-18

Dow, far lane, was off first but pushed it a little too far, losing in a double breakout to Beaulieu

In the finals of the 11-18 class Alton Dow from Methuen Mass. had the race in hand but lost to Tyler Beaulieu from Saco Maine in a double break out. Dow had the better light but pushed his car too much breaking out with a 8.064 on his 8.07 dial as Beaulieu was closer with a 7.899 on a 7.90.

JUNIOR DRAGSTER 6-10

Scranton, near lane. beat Mason in a great final

David Scranton from Sandown N.H. won a close race with Maddox Mason from Northboro Mass. Scranton used a better light to defeat Mason with a 9.008 on an 8.95 dial to a 9.114 on a 9.05 dial.

FOR MORE OF DIANE AND DAVID’S IMAGES FROM EPPING AND OTHER NORTHEAST DIVISION EVENTS   GO TO