FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Defending FMFC national champion Manzo gets first divisional win of 2001

WEST LEBANON, N.Y.- After a weekend of perfect racing weather at the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Lebanon Valley Dragway the rains came minutes after the final pair of cars made it down the track. Six-time Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., got his first divisional win of the season and the defending NHRA Southeast Division Federal-Mogul Dragster champion, Michael Gunderson of Middleburg, Fla., collected his second win of the year at the fourth stop on the NHRA Northeast Division tour.

Manzo, who has dominated the Federal-Mogul Funny Car category for the last six years, was back in his familiar place on Sunday afternoon, the winner's circle. The win also gives Manzo three consecutive wins at Lebanon Valley Dragway. The final round came down to the perennial Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Funny Car heavy hitters, Manzo and Bob Newberry of Schenectady, N.Y. Manzo had Newberry covered from start to finish and took the win light with a run of 5.831 seconds at 244.49 mph to Newberry's pass of 5.934 seconds at 244.43 mph.

Gunderson, a three-time NHRA Southeast Division Federal-Mogul champion and runner-up at Lebanon Valley Dragway in 2000, took advantage of a red light by Tim Slagle in the final to secure his second win of the season. Gunderson used a huge holeshot against No. 1 qualifier Arthur Gallant of Boxboro, Mass., in the semifinals to advance to the finals. Gunderson made a run of 5.751 seconds with a .420 reaction time to Gallant's pass of 5.653 seconds with a .529 reaction time.

Other winners include: Jim Pursglove of Westmont, N.J., in Comp, Lincoln Morehead of Newburg, N.Y., in Super Stock, Lee Zane of Pittsgrove, N.J., in Stock, John DiBartolomeo of Lambertville, N.J. in Super Comp, Raymond Sawyer of Acton, Mass., in Super Gas and Larry Willard of Leominster, Mass., in Super Street.

The fifth round of the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series will be at Numidia Raceway in Numidia, Pa., July 27-29, 2001.

The following are the final results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Lebanon Valley Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
First Round
1. Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.614 seconds, 221.56 mph def. 
8. David DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 7.200, 100.45

2. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.724, 242.06 def. 
7. Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 6.027, 234.07 
             
6. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.745, 245.63 def. 
3. Rob Wendland, Lawrence, Kan., 6.180, 245.63

5. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.654, 247.66 def. 
4. Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.749, 248.27 

Semifinals
Gunderson, 5.751, 246.10 (.420 reaction time) def. Gallant, 5.653, 205.52 (.529 r/t) 
Slagle, 5.725, 245.56 def. Bozzelli, 7.658, 116.09  

Final
Gunderson, 5.798, 244.16 def. Slagle, 5.755, 244.23 (red light-foul)

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
First Round
1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '01 Dodge Avenger, 5.746 seconds, 247.11 mph def. 
8. Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '97 Camaro, 6.383, 226.98

2. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.996, 236.03 def. 
7. James Libby, Kingston, Mass., '01 Camaro, Broke

3. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '01 Avenger, 5.898, 231.24 def. 
6. Paul Lee, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 14.761, 55.38

4. Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '99 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.225, 219.78 def. 
5. Bruce Peterson, Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.159, 225.67 (.725 r/t)

Semifinals
Manzo, 6.719, 149.70 def. Lourie, Broke
Newberry, 5.798, 244.56 def. Gill, 6.685, 166.02 

Final
Manzo, 5.831, 244.49 def. Newberry, 5.934, 244.43

COMP ELIMINATOR
Jim Pursglove, Westmont, N.J., '92 Pontiac Firebird, D/A, 9.912 seconds, 97.58 mph def. 
Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 Dragster, D/D, 8.832, 102.40 (red light-foul)

SUPER STOCK
Lincoln Morehead, Newburg, N.Y., '90 Chevrolet Camaro, GT/DA, 10.136 seconds, 130.13 mph def. 
George Vignogna, Mahopac, N.Y., '97 Dodge Sebring, SS/AS, 9.181, 147.75

STOCK ELIMINATOR
Lee Zane, Pittsgrove, N.J., '73 Apollo, I/SA, 12.274 seconds, 105.90 mph def. 
Daniel Lynch, Latham, N.Y., '69 Chevrolet Camaro, H/SA, 11.979, 109.58 (red light-foul)

SUPER COMP
John DiBartolomeo, Lambertville, N.J., '99 Dragster, 23.652 seconds, 48.90 mph def. 
Barbara Harrison, Bloomfield, N.J., '98 Dragster, 8.903, 159.82 (red light-foul)

SUPER GAS
Raymond Sawyer, Acton, Mass., '00 Chevrolet Camaro, 9.925 seconds, 165.41 mph def. 
Ed Alessi, Valley Stream, N.Y., '63 Catalina, 11.949, 81.22 (red light-foul)

SUPER STREET
Larry Willard, Leominster, Mass., '57 Chevrolet, 10.930 seconds, 119.68 mph def. 
Dean Olschewske, Ontario, N.Y., '71 Chevrolet Chevelle, 10.882, 119.20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gallant, Manzo rise to the top at Lebanon Valley Dragway

WEST LEBANON, N.Y.- Another large crowd was on hand for the second day of qualifying at the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Lebanon Valley Dragway. More than 500 cars have been enjoying unseasonably cool July New York weather going into final eliminations Sunday.

Art Gallant

Arthur Gallant of Boxboro, Mass., collected the No. 1 qualifying position in Federal-Mogul Dragster and four-time consecutive Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., was back in the familiar No. 1 qualifying position after two qualifying attempts on Saturday.

Gallant stayed in the No. 1 qualifying position after the other 13 dragsters couldn't better his Friday qualifying effort of 5.525 seconds at 216.71 mph. Current NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Dragster points leader and No. 2 qualifier Cliff Bozzelli of Absecon, N.J., improved only slightly on his first qualifying effort with a pass of 5.633 seconds at 251.53 mph in Saturday's first qualifying session.

In Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Manzo collected his fourth Sealed Power Low Qualifier bonus award of $1000 after knocking Paul Gill of Brockton, Mass., out of the No. 1 qualifying position with a stout run of 5.866 seconds at 238.41 mph.

Frank Manzo

Controversy occurred in the final round of Federal-Mogul Funny Car qualifying on Saturday when dust and dirt from the Lebanon Valley Speedway (dirt track) began drifting onto the drag racing surface. NHRA Northeast Division Director Bob Lang called off all further racing due to the dust on the track. The cancellation of the rest of the race day left five Federal-Mogul Funny Cars without third-round qualifying attempts.

"The early session of Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car put us 52 minutes behind schedule due to oildowns," said Lang. "Unfortunately, the excessive oildowns caused us to overlap with qualifying at the circle track.. Dust settling on the racing surface from the 1,000-foot mark on made it unwise to continue the third round of Funny Car qualifying."

The NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Lebanon Valley Dragway continues tomorrow with eliminations beginning at 10 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars eliminations begin at noon. Sunday general adult admission is $20; children under 6 are admitted free with a paid adult. For more information please call Lebanon Valley Dragway, (518) 794-7130.

The following are Saturday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Lebanon Valley Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.525 seconds, 216.71 mph vs. 
8. David DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.836, 232.37

2. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.633, 251.53 vs. 
7. Karen Benkovich, Fanwood, N.J., 5.793, 239.17

3. Rob Wendland, Lawrence, Kan., 5.641, 249.86 vs. 
6. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.742, 246.98

4. Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.648, 251.11 vs. 
5. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., 5.662, 245.09

Alternates 
1. Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, De., 5.892, 233.03
2. Bruce Horner, Bergenfield, N.J., 5.930, 211.51 
3. Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 5.983, 229.12
4. Sheila Tafur, Middletown, Conn., 6.325, 211.51
5. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 7.067, 201.65
6. John Headley, Newportville, Pa., 7.830, 103.97

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '01 Dodge Avenger, 5.886 seconds, 238.41 mph  vs. 
8. Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '97 Camaro, 6.186, 233.34

2. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Avenger, 5.889, 234.61 vs. 
7. James Libby, Kingston, Mass., '01 Camaro, 6.162, 230.82

3. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '01 Avenger, 5.951, 245.16 vs. 
6. Paul Lee, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.148, 227.27

4. Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '99 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.075, 239.17 vs.
5. Bruce Peterson, Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 6.085, 229.47 

Alternates
1. Micky Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '99 Corvette, 6.274, 228.36
2. Eddie Fisher, Milford, Conn., '97 Pontiac Firebird, 6.373, 223.49
3. Craig English, Mt. Holley, N.J., '93 Firebird, 8.206, 165.31

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '00 Roadster, F/EA, 8.541 seconds (0.759-seconds under Index)
2. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '01 Pontiac Grand Am, D/A, 7.882 (-0.718)
3. Allyn Armstrong, Nova Scotia, Canada, '72 Opel, K/A, 9.195 (-0.685)
4. Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '98 Grand Am, E/SMA, 8.387 (-0.633)
5. Richard Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '90 Pontiac Firebird, G/SM, 9.304 (-0.626)
6. Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., '94 Dragster, F/D, 8.198 (-0.622)
7. Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., '01 Dragster, G/D, 9.450 (-0.610)
8. Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet Roadster, B/SR, 8.152 (-0.598)
9. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, D/SM, 8.145 (-0.555)
10. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 Dragster, D/D, 7.490 (-0.540)

SUPER STOCK
1. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., '99 Chevrolet S-10, SS/TD, 10.585 seconds (1.165 seconds under Index)
2. George Vignogna, Mahopac, N.Y., '97 Dodge Sebring, SS/AS, 8.849 (-1.051)
3. John Armstrong, Kingston, Nova Scotia, Canada, '69 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/BA, 9.155 (-1.045)
4. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Dodge Daytona, GT/EA, 9.955 (-0.995)
5. Jeff Roell, Poughquag, N.Y., '93 Ford Mustang, GT/FA, 10.109 (-0.991)
6. Bruce Riley, Lake Echo, Nova Scotia, Canada, '71 Chevrolet Chevelle, SS/EA, 9.688 (-0.962)
7. Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Pontiac Firebird, GT/HA, 10.449 (-0.901)
8. Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., '90 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.052 (-0.898)
9. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Oldsmobile Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.859 (-0.891)
10. Joseph Mendillo Jr., Hamden, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/E, 9.912 (-0.888)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Cecil Frazier, Canton, Mass, '90 Chevrolet Camaro, M/SA, 11.893 seconds (1.257-seconds under Index)
2. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.787 (-1.163)
3. Bill Belden, Linden, N.J., '64 Chevrolet Chevelle, M/S, 12.004 (-1.146)
4. Bob Horgan, Tyngsborough, Mass., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.609 (-1.141)
5. Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.632 (-1.118)
6. Dean Cook, West Warwick, R.I., '72 Ford Mustang, F/S, 10.998 (-1.102)
7. Billy Nees, Millmont, Pa., '70 Chevrolet Nova, V/SA, 14.709 (-1.091)
8. Jim Penta, Pawtucket, R.I., '98 Pontiac Firebird, D/S, 10.718 (-1.082)
9. Donald Quinn, Rahway, N.J., '78 Nova, J/SA, 11.706 (-1.044)
10. Fred Thibeault, Nova Scotia, Canada, '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.519 (-1.031)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gallant, Gill top fields at Lebanon Valley Dragway

WEST LEBANON, N.Y. -- Unseasonably cool and cloudy skies greeted the nearly 500 drivers at the Lebanon Valley Dragway 4th of July Extravaganza, the fourth stop in the NHRA Northeast Division Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series. Arthur Gallant of Boxboro, Mass., and Paul Gill of Brockton, Mass., set the pace in Friday's first round of qualifying in Federal-Mogul Dragster and Funny Car, respectively.

Cliff Bozzelli

Current Lebanon Valley Dragway Federal-Mogul Dragster e.t. and speed record holder Gallant would have reset all the records he set last year had he not pulled the chutes at the 1000-foot mark. Nevertheless, Gallant took the No. 1 qualifying position after one round of qualifying with a pass of 5.525 seconds at 216.71 mph. The hottest Federal-Mogul Dragster pilot in the nation, Cliff Bozzelli of Absecon, N.J., riding a five race win streak, captured the No. 2 qualifying position with a run of 5.647 mph at 250.76 mph.

Gill drove his '01 Dodge Avenger Moduline Federal-Mogul Funny Car to the top of the field with a pass of 5.889 seconds at 234.61 mph. Bob Newberry of Schenectady, N.Y., and defending Federal-Mogul Funny Car National Champion Frank Manzo of Morganville, N.J., came in a close No. 2 and No. 3 to Gill after one round of qualifying.

Paul Gill

The NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series at Lebanon Valley Dragway continues tomorrow with time trials and qualifying beginning at 9 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m. Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Funny Cars will have qualifying attempts at 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday general adult admission is $15-children under 6 are admitted free with a paid adult.

For more information please call Lebanon Valley Dragway, 518-794-7130. The following are Friday's qualifying results from the NHRA Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series event at Lebanon Valley Dragway:

FEDERAL-MOGUL DRAGSTER
1. Arthur Gallant, Boxboro, Mass., 5.525 seconds, 216.71 mph
2. Cliff Bozzelli, Absecon, N.J., 5.647, 250.76
3. Rob Wendland, Lawrence, Kan., 5.688, 249.03
4. Billy Gibson, Chaptico, Md., 5.730, 245.49 
5. Tim Slagle, Fairfax, Va., 5.755, 247.59 
6. David DeAngelis, Middlesex, N.J., 5.879, 231.12
7. Ken Winward, Wilmington, Del., 6.082, 226.13
8. Sheila Tafur, Middletown, Conn., 6.425, 174.96
9. Steven Cantrell, Wilmington, De., 8.697, 94.22
10. Rich McPhillips, Phoenixville, Pa., 10.288, 81.64 
11. Michael Gunderson, Middleburg, Fla., DQ

FEDERAL-MOGUL FUNNY CAR 
1. Paul Gill, Brockton, Mass., '01 Dodge Avenger, 5.889 seconds, 234.61 mph
2. Bob Newberry, Schenectady, N.Y., '01 Avenger, 5.952, 246.37
3. Frank Manzo, Morganville, N.J., '01 Avenger, 6.108, 198.06
4. Eric Lourie, Terryville, Conn., '99 Chevrolet Camaro, 6.131, 238.22
5. Paul Lee, Bala Cynwyd, Pa., '01 Chevrolet Corvette, 6.148, 227.27
6. Fred Tigges, Holbrook, Mass., '97 Camaro, 6.186, 233.34
7. James Libby, Kingston, Mass., '01 Camaro, 6.247, 229.24
8. Eddie Fisher, Milford, Conn., '97 Pontiac Firebird, 6.373, 223.49
9. Bruce Peterson, Jr., Wappingers Falls, N.Y., '98 Avenger, 7.732, 104.13 
10. Micky Ferro, Stamford, Conn., '99 Corvette, 9.521, 91.44

COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Frank Aragona Jr., Franklin Square, N.Y., '00 Roadster, F/EA, 8.541 seconds (0.759-seconds under Index)
2. Jeff Taylor, Lumberton, N.C., '01 Pontiac Grand Am, D/A, 7.882 (-0.718)
3. Allyn Armstrong, Nova Scotia, Canada, '72 Opel, K/A, 9.227 (-0.653)
4. Arnie Martel, Tewksbury, Mass., '98 Grand Am, E/SMA, 8.387 (-0.633)
5. Richard Schonberger, Philadelphia, Pa., '90 Pontiac Firebird, G/SM, 9.304 (-0.626)
6. Michele Costa, Freehold, N.J., '01 Dragster, G/D, 9.475 (-0.585)
7. Al Ackerman, Saddle Brook, N.J., '94 Dragster, F/D, 8.240 (-0.580)
8. Jonathan Aloisio, West Chester, Pa., '98 Pontiac Grand Am, D/SM, 8.145 (-0.555)
9. Don Stratton Jr., Beloit, Ohio, '34 Chevrolet Roadster, B/SR, 8.202 (-0.548)
10. Greg Kozera, Monroe, Conn., '98 Dragster, D/D, 7.490 (-0.540)

SUPER STOCK
1. James Zane, Bordentown, N.J., '99 Chevrolet S-10, SS/TD, 10.617 seconds (1.133-seconds under Index)
2. George Vignogna, Mahopac, N.Y., '97 Dodge Sebring, SS/AS, 8.849 (-1.051)
3. John Armstrong, Kingston, Nova Scotia, Canada, '69 Chevrolet Camaro, SS/BA, 9.177 (-1.023)
4. Jeff Roell, Poughquag, N.Y., '93 Ford Mustang, GT/FA, 10.137 (-0.963)
5. Dennis Steward, Dover, Pa., '91 Dodge Daytona, GT/EA, 10.022 (-0.928)
6. Dean Ribeiro, Candia, N.H., '85 Pontiac Firebird, GT/HA, 10.449 (-0.901)
7. Tim Worner, Duncannon, Pa., '88 Oldsmobile Cutlass, GT/KA, 10.859 (-0.891)
8. Joseph Mendillo Jr., Hamden, Conn., '90 Camaro, GT/E, 9.912 (-0.888)
9. Vito Savino, Brewster, N.Y., '97 Pontiac Grand Am, 10.215 (-0.885)
10. Michael Iacono, Wading River, N.Y., '90 Camaro, GT/EA, 10.087 (-0.863)

STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Cecil Frazier, Canton, Mass, '90 Chevrolet Camaro, M/SA, 11.941 seconds (1.224-seconds under Index)
2. Jim Reid Jr., Hanson, Mass., '85 Camaro, K/SA, 11.787 (-1.163)
3. Bill Belden, Linden, N.J., '64 Chevrolet Chevelle, M/S, 12.004 (-1.146)
4. Bob Horgan, Tyngsborough, Mass., '85 Camaro, J/SA, 11.609 (-1.141)
5. Bruce Noland, Leesburg, Va., '72 Camaro, J/SA, 11.632 (-1.118)
6. Jim Penta, Pawtucket, R.I., '98 Pontiac Firebird, D/S, 10.718 (-1.082)
7. Dean Cook, West Warwick, R.I., '72 Ford Mustang, F/S, 11.028 (-1.072)
8. Billy Nees, Millmont, Pa., '70 Chevrolet Nova, V/SA, 14.743 (-1.057)
9. Fred Thibeault, Nova Scotia, Canada, '69 Camaro, B/SA, 10.519 (-1.031)
10. Joseph Abbazia, Cos Cob, Conn., '88 Ford Mustang, M/SA, 12.121 (-1.029)