NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Preview | Friday | Saturday

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – After finishing as runner-up a season ago, Comp Eliminator standout Jason Coan returned to his winning ways to lead the list of champions crowned on Sunday at the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky.
 
Coan won for the fifth time, as the Kokomo, Ind., native posted a winning time of 8.717 at 113.14 mph in his dragster. Coan, who qualified No. 14, beat Terry Smith in the final round after Smith suffered a red-light disqualification.
 
Michael Bryant claimed the Super Stock crown, beating No. 1 qualifier Cody Lane in the final round. Driving a ’08 G5, Bryant, of New Orleans, La., went 10.018 at 131.88 to beat Lane. Bryant qualified No. 22 before working his way to the winner’s circle.

A flurry of first-time NHRA national event winners also graced the winner’s circle, including Ricky Pennington in Stock Eliminator, who drove a ’12 Cobra Jet to beat Jeff Adkinson in the final round. Pennington, of Gardendale, Ala., won with a 10.586 at 115.55.
 
Jonathan Anderson secured his first NHRA national event win by knocking off Austin Williams in Super Comp. Anderson, of Griffin, Ga., used an impressive .004 reaction time in the final round, running 8.945 on an 8.90 index at 163.41 to best Williams’ 8.951 at 165.74.
 
The first NHRA national event win for Joe Harper came in Super Gas. The Florence, Miss. native claimed the title with a 9.904 on the category’s 9.90 index at 148.71 in his ’98 Avenger to oust Steve Hoyt’s 9.909 at 172.21.
 
Gary Horstmann of Festus, Mo., won in Super Street for his first JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals event victory, going 10.896 at 138.12 for a double-breakout win against the category’s 10.90 index. Driving a ’61 Falcon, Horstmann’s winning run came against Jeremy Schell, who posted a 10.876 at 133.12.

Jason Lynch claimed his first event victory in Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs. Lynch of Cedar Hill, Tenn., went 6.656 at 213 in his ’03 Grand Am, qualifying from the No. 12 position to knock off Mark McDonald’s 6.622 at 206.13.
 
In Top Dragster presented by Racing RVs, Lynn Ellison celebrated his 50th birthday in style, grabbing the victory with a performance of 6.31 at 211.79. Ellison, a Central City, Ky., native who qualified eighth and had a final-round reaction time of .036, edged out Michael Kile’s 6.261 at 217.14.
 
A showcase for NHRA Lucas Oil Series drivers, the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals has raced in Bowling Green for the past two seasons, returning to its birthplace last year for the first time since 1986. The event attracted a field of more than 450 drivers from all over North America.
 
Competition Eliminator
Jason Coan, Kokomo, Ind., ‘17 KHRC, 8.717 seconds, 113.14 mph def.
Terry Smith, Liberty Township, Ohio, ‘15 Advanced, DISQ.
 
Super Stock
Michael Bryant, New Orleans, La., ‘08 G5, 10.018 seconds def.
Cody Lane, North Bend, Wash., ’05 Cavalier, 8.605 seconds

Stock Eliminator
Ricky Pennington, Gardendale, Ala., ’12 Cobra Jet, 10.586 seconds def.
Jeff Adkinson, Damascus, Ga., ’69 Camaro, 10.218 seconds.

Super Comp
Jonathan Anderson, Griffin, Ga., ’09 Mullis, 8.945 seconds def.
Austin Williams, Burleson, Texas, ’15 Miller, 8.951 seconds.
 
Super Gas
Joe Harper, Florence, Miss., ’98 Avenger, 9.904 seconds def.
Steve Hoyt, Fort Wayne, Ind., ’63 Corvette, 9.909 seconds.
 
Super Street
Gary Horstmann, Festus, Mo., ’61 Falcon, 10.896 def.
Jeremy Schell, Lawrenceburg, Ky., ’64 Nova, 10.876 seconds.
 
Top Sportsman
Jason Lynch, Cedar Hill, Tenn., ’03 Grand Am, 6.656 seconds def.
Mark McDonald, Boonville, Ind., ’67 Mustang, 6.622 seconds.
 
Top Dragster
Lynn Ellison, Central City, Ky., ’11 M&M, 6.310 seconds def.
Michael Kile, Westlake, La., ’16 Spitzer, 6.261 seconds.

SATURDAY

Father, son share winner's circle, fields set for NHRA JEGS SPORTSnationals

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The father/son duo of Lester and Andrew Johnson of Cynthiana, Ky., took home the trophies in the Racing RVs Top Sportsman and Top Dragster Fast Four Shootouts at the NHRA JEGS SPORTSnationals at Beech Bend Raceway Park.  Bruno Massel grabbed the honors in the C-Tech Comp Fast Four and Stephen Hebert won the Tim Hebert/ “Big Joe” Teuton Super Stock Hemi Chootout.
 
Lester faced off with Keith Raftery who took the hole shot buy .04 seconds, but Lester ran him down with a 6.186 second 229.47 mph lap in his ’55 BelAir to Raftery’s 6.509 at 201.13 mph.  Lester’s son Andrew, ended Danny Nelson’s day with a 6.072, 229.98 mph run for the trophy in Top Dragster.  The pair left the line together with Andrew taking a close one to Nelson’s 6.099, 229.63.

Lester also qualified No. 1 in Top Sportsman for Sunday’s eliminations that kick off at 8 a.m. with Top Sportsman and Top Dragster set for round 1 at 11 a.m.  Kevin Brannon held on to the top spot in Top Dragster with a 6.088, 229.39.
 
Massel qualified on top on Comp Eliminator, then went on to beat Frank Cervelli in the C-Tech Fast Four final when Cervelli broke and was unable to make the run.
 
Hebert worked his way through eliminations in his ’68 Barracuda, then posted an 8.603 second 157.87 mph for the Hemi Chootout win over Stephen Yantus.  Yantus was out first but slowed as Herbert flew by for the win.

The K&N Super Shootouts were also hosted as part of the annual JEGS SPORTSnationals with Jessica Bogacki, Scott Deffenbaugh and Matthew Riley taking the wins.  Bogacki outran Brannon in the Super Comp final with an  8.917, 167.57 to an 8.967, 169.57.  Deffenbaugh ran down Devin Isenhower in the K&N Super Gas final running 9.906 on the 9.90 index to Isenhower’s 9.923 and Riley used a hole shot to beat Rob Kropfeld in the Super Street Shootout running 10.931, 127.27 in his ’73 Camaro.
 
Cody Lane and Randy Eakins held on to their No. 1 qualifying spots in Super Stock and Stock.  Lane’s 8.550 second lap in his ’05 Cavalier stayed on top with Dan Jacobs jumping into the No. 2 slot.  Eakins’ 10.010 second pass leads the Stock field with Gary Summers second in his ’75 Mustang.
 
The following are the final results and final qualifying from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series JEGS SPORTSnationals at Beech Bend Raceway Park:
 
C-TECH COMP FAST FOUR
Bruno Massel, Woodridge, Ill, ’10 Cobalt, 16.767 def.
Frank Cervelli, Avon, Ind., ’04 dragster, no time
 
RACING RVS TOP SPORTSMAN FAST FOUR
Lester Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., ’55 BelAir, 6.185, 229.47 def.
Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., ’68 Camaro, 6.509, 201.13
 
RACING RVS TOP DRAGSTER FAST FOUR               
Andrew Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., ’13 dragster, 6.072, 229.98 def.
Danny Nelson, Batesville, Ark., ’17 dragster, 6.099, 229.63
 
K&N SUPER COMP SHOOTOUT
Jessica Bogacki, Carterville, Ill., ’13 dragster, 8.917, 167.57 def.
Kevin Brannon, Boiling Springs, S.C., ’12 dragster, 8.967, 169.57
 
K&N SUPER GAS SHOOTOUT
Scott Deffenbaugh, Lebanon, Ind., ’66 Nova SS, 9.906, 138.73 def.
Devin Isenhower, Lebanon, Ind., ’67 Camaro, 9.923, 165.92
 
K&N SUPER STREET SHOOTOUT
Matthew Riley, Springfield, Ky., ’73 Camaro, 10.931, 127.27 def.,
Rob Kropfeld, Hamilton, Ohio, ’71 Vega, 10.894, 130.89
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Bruno Massel, Woodbridge, Ill., ’10 Cobalt, 6.907 seconds, -0.813 under the index
2. Frank Cervelli, Avon, Ind., ’04 dragster, 6.730, -0.720
3. Chad Voges, Saint Peters, Mo., ’32 roadster, 7.586, -0.714
4. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., ’32 roadster, 7.207, 0.703
5. Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, Ind., ’14 dragster, 6.877, -0.673
 
SUPER STOCK
1. Cody Lane, North Bend, Wash., ’05 Cavalier, 8.550, -1.100
2. Dan Jacobs, Elizabeth, Ind., ’05 Cavalier, 9.103, -1.097
3. Mark Nowicki, Gaylord, Mich., ’98 Avenger, 9.437, -1.063
4. James Caro, Houma, La., ’10 Challenger, 9.504, -1.046
5. JJ Twitchell, Elkhart, Ind., ’02 S-10, 9.819, -1.031
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Randy Eakins, Sikeston, Mo., ’10 Challenger, 10.010, -1.190
2. Gary Summers, Franklin, Ky., ’75 Mustang, 13.663, -1.187
3. Wade Owens, Jackson, Mo., ’71 Corvette, 10.398, -1.152
4. Jerry Bennett, Hickory, Ky., ’71 Duster, 10.429, -1.121
5. Chuck Downing, Britton, Mich., ’10 Cobra Jet, 10.787, -1.113
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
1. Lester Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., ’55 BelAir, 6.162, 229.78
2. Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., ’68 Camaro, 6.494, 212.19
3. Glenn Butcher, Doyleston, Ohio, ’69 Camaro, 6.495, 211.36
4. Paul Pittman, Bloomington, Minn., ’13 Camaro, 6.556, 214.45
5. Rick Corn, Paducah, Ky., ’10 Avenger, 6.632, 202.21
 
TOP DRAGSTER
1. Kevin Brannon, Boiling Springs, S.C., 6.088, 229.39
2. Andrew Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., 6.118, 225.60
3. Danny Nelson, Batesville, Ark., 6.126, 229.35
4. Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, 6.163, 217.04
5. Tom Elliott, Brooks, Ky., 6.174, 222.07

FRIDAY

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Racing kicked off today for the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals and the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at Beech Bend Raceway Park as racers in eight classes took to the track for qualifying and time trials. Bruno Massel led the list of Comp Eliminator entries with Keith Raftery taking the top spot in Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs.
 
Massel went 6.907 seconds in his turbo powered ’10 Cobalt to lead the 20-car field as Frank Cervelli and Chad Voges grabbed the second and third spots respectively.  Raftery, out of Lake Charles, La., powered his ’68 Camaro to a 212.19 mph lap in 6.494 seconds with Paul Pittman and Lester Johnson right behind.

In Top Dragster presented by Racing RVs it was Kevin Brannon setting the bar in 6.088 seconds at 229.39 mph for the No. 1 spot with Mike Coughlin number two at 6.163, 217.04 in his JEGS powered dragster.
 
Cody Lane and Randy Eakins are on top in Super Stock and Stock.  Lane, North Bend, Wash., drove his ’05 Cavalier to an 8.550 second lap, 1.100 second under the index and is followed by JJ Twitchell, Elkhart, Ind., and his ’02 S-10 in the second spot.  Eakins went 10.010 seconds with his ’10 Challenger to stay ahead of Wade Owens who sits second at 10.398 in his ’71 Corvette.

On tap for tomorrow's action is final qualifying rounds including heads up class racing in Stock and Super Stock along with a mixture of specialty events from the C-Tech Comp Fast Four and Racing RVs Top Dragster and Top Sportsman Fast Fours to the K&N Super Shootouts for Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street.
 
The following are the final results from the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series JEGS SPORTSnationals at Beech Bend Raceway Park:
 
COMP ELIMINATOR
1. Bruno Massel, Woodbridge, Ill., ’10 Cobalt, 6.907 seconds, -0.813 under the index
2. Frank Cervelli, Avon, Ind., ’04 dragster, 6.730, -0.720
3. Chad Voges, Saint Peters, Mo., ’32 roadster, 7.586, -0.714
4. David Rampy, Piedmont, Ala., ’32 roadster, 7.207, 0.703
5. Greg Kamplain, Brownsburg, Ind., ’14 dragster, 6.882, -0.688
 
SUPER STOCK
1. Cody Lane, North Bend, Wash., ’05 Cavalier, 8.550, -1.100
2. JJ Twitchell, Elkhart, Ind., ’02 S-10, 9.819, -1.031
3. Dan Jacobs, Elizabeth, Ind., ’05 Cavalier, 9.189, -1.011
4. Gary summers, Franklin, Ky., ’14 Cobra Jet, 9.042, -1.008
5. Steve Koch, Shepherdsville, Ky., ’85 Camaro, 9.808, -0.992
 
STOCK ELIMINATOR
1. Randy Eakins, Sikeston, Mo., ’10 Challenger, 10.010, -1.190
2. Wade Owens, Jackson, Mo., ’71 Corvette, 10.398, -1.152
3. Jerry Bennett, Hickory, Ky., ’71 Duster, 10.429, -1.152
4. Chuck Downing, Britton, Mich., ’10 Cobra Jet, 10.787, -1.113
5. John McCarthy Jr., Lyndon, Ky., ’60 Kingswood, 13.741, -1.109
 
TOP SPORTSMAN
1. Keith Raftery, Lake Charles, La., ’68 Camaro, 6.494, 212.19
2. Paul Pittman, Bloomington, Minn., ’13 Camaro, 6.556, 214.45
3. Lester Johnson, Cynthiana, Ky., ’55 BelAir, 6.563, 224.70
4. Rick Corn, Paducah, Ky., ’10 Avenger, 6.632, 202.21
5. Mark McDonald, Boonville, Ind., ’67 Mustang, 6.640, 206.23
 
TOP DRAGSTER
1. Kevin Brannon, Boiling Springs, S.C., 6.088, 229.39
2. Mike Coughlin, Delaware, Ohio, 6.163, 217.04
3. Danny Nelson, Batesville, Ark., 6.185, 226.20
4. JB Strassweg, Evansville, Ind., 6.252, 216.13
5. Madison Ellison, Central City, Ky., 6.309, 215.34

PREVIEW

The JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals presented by Quick Fuel Technologies takes place this weekend at scenic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky.
 
Last year, the JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals returned to Bowling Green after a 30-year absence. The event champions were Craig Bourgeois (Comp), Brad Zaskowski (Super Stock), Houston Raikes (Stock), Tyler Bohannon (Super Comp), Craig Anderson (Super Gas), Michelle Furr (Super Street), Danny Nelson (Top Dragster presented by Racing RVs.com), and Jerry Albert (Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs.com).
 
Each of the defending event winners will be eligible to claim the coveted JEGS Crown trophy should they successfully defend their 2016 titles. The JEGS Crown is a unique, handcrafted trophy created by Dan Dreisbach of Naked Sculpture. Since 2005, the trophy has been claimed just once, by Pro Mod racer Mike Ashley.
 
In addition to Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky., JEGS SPORTSnationals have been held in Indianapolis; Houston; Belle Rose, La.; Fontana, Calif.; Las Vegas; and Columbus.
 
Individual winners of this event will take home special-edition, copper-plated NHRA Wally trophies that are available only to JEGS SPORTSnationals participants.
 
This year's JEGS NHRA SPORTSnationals boasts a guaranteed purse of more than $100,000, an all-time SPORTSnationals record. With contingency awards in excess of $275,000 and special bonus races, the total award posting approaches $380,000 - a dramatic increase over the $50,700 posted in 1974 at the inaugural SPORTSnationals.
 
For the first time, the JEGS SPORTSnationals will be carried live on the internet via the popular NHRA All Access streaming service (www.nhraallaccess.com). A weekend pass can be purchased for just $9.95, and current subscribers to NHRA All Access will receive the content at no additional charge. The weekend pass will include all of the action from Bowling Green, starting at 8 a.m., Friday, and conclude with the finals Sunday evening.
 
The JEGS SPORTSnationals also will include a very special event, the Tim Hebert/"Big Joe" Teuton Hemi "Chootout." The race is open to competitors in the popular SS/AH class. The event is dedicated to the memory of Tim Hebert and "Big Joe" Teuton, two veteran Hemi racers from Louisiana, who passed away. Event sponsors include Mopar Performance and BBR.
 
There also will be traditional class eliminations for Super Stock and Stock racers, as well as the Lucas Oil/K&N Filters Super Shootouts for the Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street classes. Racing action will culminate on Saturday evening with the 200-mph Racing RV's Top Dragster/Top Sportsman Fast Four competition and the C-Tech Manufacturing Comp Fast Four two-round shootout.
 
To kick off the event's return to Kentucky with proper Southern hospitality, JEGS, NHRA, and the Dallas Jones family will be hosting a huge Southern cookout Friday evening in the "Shady Grove" pavilion adjacent to the pit. In addition, Beech Bend Amusement Park and Splash Lagoon Water Park will be open Friday evening for a special JEGS Family and Friends Night.